Autistic Girl Expresses Profound Intelligence

reply to post by CavemanDD


Dear CavemanDD,

I loved your story about the person who hugged you on the train.

You are a true person, and can look past another person's perceived disadvantage.

Thanks for sharing, it made my day.

reply to post by CAELENIUM


ALL of you? ALL OF YOU?! Look, my youngest son, all of 11, is autistic. His head-banging, feeling "un-even", tantrums are all VERY real to me.

Don't give me that "all of you" crap. Then you give me this military point of view bs. Wtf does that have to do with anything? LIVE with an autistic child. RAISE an autistic child. LOVE an autistic child.

Then.... talk to me.


Edited to keep from getting banned.

Apologizing now for over-reacting to the first sentence, and not deleting post.

Edit: Sorry.



[edit on 24-7-2010 by KANE OG]

[edit on 24-7-2010 by KANE OG]

the capacity of the human mind to withstand punishment and still keep going is simply mind blowing to me. being able bodied and of what i would consider a sound mind. i could only watch in horror if my body was out of control and i couldnt properly communicate what i was thinking and what i wanted. maybe someone should invite her to post on ats. i wonder what her opinions on some of the topics we discuss on here would be.

awesome post dude simply awesome

oh egads that's amazing!!
how wonderfully sweet and incredible.

reply to post by CAELENIUM


autistic babies are born with a low or non-existing enzyme that breaks down b-12 into its methyl form. the methyl form is needed to regenerate damage to nerves or generate new ones to replace the old. so when their brain starts to age, damage that occurs from simply living, causes the nerve damage to remain unrepaired, much like in diabetic neuropathy.



[edit on 24-7-2010 by undo]

Originally posted by Whine Flu
Urrrgh, people with Asperger's are so damn annoying online. They just love compiling lists and go real serious about everything.

that sounds like me in a nutshell....

narrowly avoided being checked out for ADD as a kid...glad i did, think it would have been a misdiagnosis anyway...

-B.M

[edit on 24/7/10 by B.Morrison]

Originally posted by Whine Flu
Urrrgh, people with Asperger's are so damn annoying online. They just love compiling lists and go real serious about everything.

I don't know. Somtimes they're just damn annoying, online or otherwise, with or without lists and being overly serious. Sometimes they're not serious at all and prefer to write posts that convey no useful information to the typical, non-Aspergized mentality.

reply to post by Lurch


this may go some way to dispel your concerns...

My name is Carly Fleischmann and as long as I can remember I've been diagnosed with autism.

I am not able to talk out of my mouth, however I have found another way to communicate by spelling on my computer

And YES - I can type on my own

» Click here to see me type

the link brings up a page with this video on it

Carly types to Larry King


P.L.U.R.I
-B.M

I am going to share what I know. My daughter has epilepsy. Last year they implanted a grid with 90 leads into her brain. It was like a credit-card with electrodes on it. They let her read a book while her brain was opened with this contraption inserted. They would stimulate by computer different leads in her brain. When they would stimulate some near her temporal lobe -- she would be able to read the word, knew what the word was, but could not say the word. By doing a topography of her brain of sorts -- they "mapped" areas used for different skills. I saw it. It was fascinating. There seem to be definite areas in the brain that if not functioning well electrically will prevent speech - even though the person understands everything being said.

My son has Asberger's. The pediatrician said that the "gold card" of Asberger's was "earliest memory" He asked my son his "earliest memory". He was in a stroller at a parade in a nearby town -- I think he was between 15 and 18 months old. He could tell me all about the parade.

The doctor also said that he believed Asberger's was the brain having too many tracts to choose from -- not there was not enough brain. He said that it could be a very intelligent woman marrying a very intelligent man -- and the brain just had too many tracts to choose from.

I also believe the mercury poisoning theory as my Asby son almost died from his second DPT.

My son is not average. However, he plays chess, video games and loves to fish. We do what he is good at and we don't do what he is not good at. It is a very simple plan and it works.

For caretakers out there -- there are those that will get you and those that won't. Don't waste your time. Seek out like-minded folks. and pray. alot.

reply to post by Namaste1001


I completely understand what you are saying. I also need a lot of alone time to relax and let my brain go. I have a hard time talking when I have a lot to say and tend to say words twice, or studder. I have not gone to a specialist for this, however I did go when I was younger because of an outer body experience and loosing my memory. I felt as if I was replaced. It is odd to explain.


I was not that suprised by her, however it is something inspiring. I had a drafting class at a vocational school and had a student who was autistic in the class. He would rock really hard back and forth, clap his ears, hit himself, or bang his head. However he had normal/clever ideas when it came to mechanical and architectural designing, it was amazing what would come out of someone who looked like they were insane. (is insane a too harsh of a word?)

Wow, pretty amazing stuff. It's hard to fathom how she must feel.....being trapped in a body that she often doesn't have control over. I think back to my Grandfather after multiple strokes. He couldn't walk, nor feed himself and could only mumble. However when you looked into his eyes you could see that his mind was still there.....just trapped in a prison of a body that wouldn't work.

Originally posted by Axial Leader
The information in this video supports a theory I've had for a long time, which has come from long observance of different types of autism.

My theory is as follows: Autism is a behavior caused by intense, chronic pain.

NOTE: I'm not talking about minor discomfort here. I am talking about hideous and protracted AGONY, from birth.

Because this is the only sensation they know, people with autism have no basis of reference, and can't articulate why they act the way they do, even if they manage to get it together enough to communicate at all.

This seems clear to me: the symptoms of autism look exactly like someone suffering from a horrible pain, which they are trying to block out using any method they can.

I would further suggest that this pain is probably resulting from some sort of evolved nervous system, probably due to our desire to select mates that are extremely intelligent. That results in a high correlation between autism and intelligence, and helps explain why autism is increasing. (That is a bit more speculative, of course.)

Autism may be what happens when you try to push a human's IQ above a certain level. It is an idea.

Thanks for the video.

Ordinary human consciousness is a form of pain that people are always seeking to overcome.
A study found the children of mothers who took thalidomide had much higher rates of autism and that there were defects in the brain stem.
Autism rates now 1 in 58 male children.
I dont know of any study that indicates high IQ people have higher rates of any disease in their offspring. More likely they have lower rates as smart people will choose mates who are healthier.

Autism is not a "condition", as the medical and psychological community would define it. I submit that it is a natural consequence of human evolution.

Those with such a "condition", are more often than not more analytical and discerning than those who would be considered "normal" (whatever that is) in comparison.

Autistic people possess a certain ability to contribute to human development (and knowledge), which "normal" people don't have the ability to consciously express.

I maintain that autistic people are, for the most part, brilliant ones, and I further maintan we should seriously reconsider what our definition of "normal" is--if there is such a thing.

reply to post by NthOther


All conditions are a result of natural selection and evolution, if you want to get right down to it. Whether or not people with Autism become the next group of people to win the lottery of surviving the next selective event I seriously doubt, at least those with Autism that high up on the spectrum.

We dont "adapt" into something. If they have a "superior" intellect, and an inferior body that cant handle all that processing power, which some seem to think, how do you expect them as a group to become the dominant "type?" How it works is a trait mutates in, gains a level of presence, and event comes along and kills off those without the trait.

So say that happens. If they cant make their bodies and brains function, or narrow down their focus, how are they going to feed themselves, care for their children, etc? Even if the rest of us were selected against, they would soon follow.

For that adaptation to "work" would require a simultaneous mutation of intellect and support system to handle it. THEN when the rest of us got offed in some selective event they could repopulate and be the dominant "type." Maybe those lower on the Autism spectrum may be harbringers of a new type.

And for the person who said they hated Aspies because they were too serious, get over it. It takes all kinds. Not everyone thinks all the Emo stuff is exciting either. I'd rather read lists and serious stuff than endlessly repetitive, "my feelings are so special and no one, (aside from every other human that has ever lived and probably some animals too) has ever felt this way before." Which is what a large volume of "normal" writing, songs, movies, conversations, etc. are about.

Its nice to have balance.

reply to post by Illusionsaregrander


I think you have adequately described a "lost key" where the ones that believe they are inevitably chosen and favored (by way of their self-styled "survival skills" and "strength") are in fact not suitable for the coming human advancement, and will be seen as incompatible manifestations.

I think she is amazing and brought back a flood of memories for me.

I couldn't speak for 4 years of my early childhood, simply communicating through sounds, physical movements and pictures.

My parents were told the usual things, he may be retarded or have mental deficiency etc and I can appreciate how they must have felt when they heard the news.

Eventually there was a breakthrough, my uncle started to teach me to talk by using a reward system with sweets and chocolates and after a year or so I started to communicate (albeit very slowly).

I still have traits of mild autism in me but over the years I have learn't to develop myself around any obstacles and often use my limitations for my benefit.

I can relate to the girl in the video, while not having anything as severe I am unable to go alone into public places due to the sensory overload I experience that plays havoc with my mind and body (I get disorientated and get stuck in repetitive thoughts e.g. I will over analyse and process something I saw, heard or felt for days on end).

I have a visual memory but I process information in a jigsaw pattern and need to be on my own to organise the information into a manner that I can comprehend or express to others.

I have some physical symptoms but they are very mild, I still get problems with coordination e.g. picking up a dinner plate my hand will shake dropping it or I will completely misjudge my physical actions.

But are they deficiencies?

No because I have learn't overcome them and I know with time, that girl will learn to do the same.

Yes I have different way of seeing the world and I often surprise people with my observations and analysis of something but does that make me some how superior, inferior or something less?

NO!

I am no different to anyone else, just unique to myself.

If you look at me now you wouldn't think I had mild autism and was bi-polar. I live a normal healthy life (well up to 90% I would say), have 3 amazing children and a job where I am able to apply my unique mind.

I practice martial arts and do power lifting/body building, mainly to overcome my physical problems and also as a way to direct my physical body towards something rewarding.

Life is difficult at times for anyone whether you are perceived to be any lesser or greater in the public arena.

What makes a difference is how we approach these problems and overcome them because end of the day you can get all the help, therapy and advice in the world but you have to realise the only person who can help you is you.

We have so many misconceptions in this world it's a tragedy. Blinded by institutional dogma people believe everything has a measure, as if 'normality' and intelligence can be measured through some form of instrumentation, and then applying these stats against the public alienating someone who has the potential to be amazing whilst giving credence to the false egos that rule this world.

I digress, I believe the girl will turn out okay with her life and I know most of the people like me who related to this post, will/are doing just fine.

Adios,

O

[edit on 25-7-2010 by old_god]

Originally posted by Namaste1001
I believe I'm on the autistic spectrum but have never seaked a diagnoses as of yet. I can understand the sensory overload. When walking along a street I take in every little detail that I pass which becomes tiring. I need to spend a lot of time on my own in a quiet atmosphere to make sense of all the information my brain takes in. I also don't speak a lot although nothing as severe as the girl in the video. I find it hard to think in a linear fashion. When trying to hold a conversation I allready have the conclusion worked out so then have to back track my thoughts to find something to say that is in context.

Haha that's pretty much what I get, I never really look at people directly, often making eye contact (getting a snapshot of their face and expression) and turning away. I am a little better with friends and familiars.

Someone mentioned earlier that the reason why the girl bangs her head or covers her ears is to drown out the sensory input i.e. the sound.

Not quite true, at least from a personal point of view it's not just a sound, I will absorb everything around me in relation to a sound, the smell, touch, emotional state, colours, motions and movements of objects..then other sounds, colours and so on until it's all too much and tiring as Namaste1001 said above.

The I don't physically move as much (I tend to rock back and forth or move my foot around) but I have learn't to focus on a single sound, object etc or I will draw up something visual in my minds eye which helps me bring my mind back down into a narrow focus - giving me time to breathe and relax again ;-)

[edit on 25-7-2010 by old_god]

Originally posted by Esoteric Teacher
7 min 20 sec mark. Carly says:

It’s a way for us to drown out all sensory input that overloads us all at once. We create output to block input.

Does anyone else see what this could be meaning?
or is "autism" a required perspective?


if "it" isn't healthy for us, then "it" probably isn't healthy for those who are not "autistic", either.

maybe some truisms are not supposed to be shared?

even if we did share the source of "it", "it" would only share the "ignorance" that is perceived by the non-autistics as "ignorance".

it is hard to share ignorance here on ATS. so many non-autistics running around here denying us and our ignorance.

ATS can be fun,
et

[edit on 24-7-2010 by Esoteric Teacher]

You have seen it before on ats its a sensory overload reaction, we all have it but our processes are more balanced so therefore require more energy to maintain so therefore require we be on a more plain wavelength of thought.

You have seen this situation before person a says something waka waka so and so is as so and so. Person b says no that is not so how can that be so I thought we all mean the same thing when we say the same thing. Then proceeds to get sensory overload, and on ats its usually information overload that does not correlate to our perspective, it then becomes personal and we need to fight or flee, and since ats is in a talkative format we usually think to fight therefore argument turns ugly.
If it was with our-selfs most likely we would walk around or scream or even punch a wall. Basically "We create output to block input".

It can manifest in physical pain also ever stubbed your toe on a sharp or hard object. Sensory overload. Then you proceed to jump on one leg and even swear or create a loud noise or even hit yourself in another spot on the body, anyone watching this knows its not normal, you stubbed your toe what good would jumping around and making loud noises do, it wont heal your toe faster or anything else other then output to drown input.

The human maternal units usually when a baby unit cries tries to distract it with other data, as in look over here, don't focus on yourself, or trying to make it laugh. Its usually programed in us when young a mechanism for dealing with overloaded sensory input. By creating a "distraction" "We create output to block input" obviously computers are a better way for these people to learn as computers are infinitely more patient then humans, it is also why she talks the way she talks, in her mind she has no time for regular human speech that people use her mind runs at a little faster pace so its hard to focus on the slower pace of daily life and chit chat. Hmm her dad should make her due some puzzle or maybe math or other sciences, see what she has an affinity to since here body is not cooperating.

it is hard to share ignorance here on ATS. so many non-autistics running around here denying us and our ignorance.

Yes I am not autistic, but I seem to be running around on ats answering weird questions. ohhh motto, ignorance denied.....happy now.

reply to post by impaired


My wife showed this to me a few weeks ago. Isn't it absolutely amazing?! I'm a pretty emotionally tough guy and this brought a tear to my eye. I truly believe that within the next 10 years humanity will make profound discoveries in spectrum "disorders"!

[edit on 25-7-2010 by Flux8]