Scientists are seeking what makes people different, at least genetically. What is done with this information is the realm of ethics and morality, not genetics. I’m autistic or a person with autism or whatever. I don’t care what the label is. I was what I am before the label even…
Month: June 2010
The great portal/blog Left Brain / Right Brain has a lengthy post on current research dealing with potential causes of autism. The post offers links to multiple peer-reviewed studies underway on the familiar suspects, ranging from mercury to the age of parents. Of course, no amount of research will influence…
I am quite open that I support genetic-based theories of autism etiology, while also open to the notion of triggers. Genetic predisposition is only that: predisposition. Many genetic conditions respond to triggers, so the two are not exclusionary. Today, there is a bit more on the genetics of autism. But…
People excuse parents and caregivers for abusing and even murdering autistics. Colorado mental-health counselor charged with murdering infant son – The Denver Post Police: Autism was motive in Colo. child’s killing BOULDER, Colo. — Police say a woman accused of killing her infant son did it because she believed the…
This is not my usual post — but I received my Univ. of Minnesota Alumni Magazine today and am annoyed. My Ph.D. is from Minnesota, and it is no secret I do not like the institution. My bias definitely affects my general attitude when reading anything linked to UMN. That…
I have a long list of things I want to organize. The list dates back to the late 1990s, as some collections never stop expanded. Some of the items I’m trying to organize: Books. Most are shelved by topic and author while others remain in boxes. Books are entered into…
I am sick and tired of the “Bill Gates has AS” and “Big Bang Theory is about a group of people with ASDs” lines of advocates who think they are helping. And yes, I’ve mentioned this to the other Ph.D.s with autism… of which I am one. It is rare…
Earlier today someone asked, “Do you really write 100 pages or more a month?” Absolutely. I cannot imagine any serious prose or dramatic writer produces fewer than 15,000 words a month and much closer to 25,000. Most of what I write is for myself, but a substantial amount is intended…
There is no “right answer” to the following, and generally I don’t think as much about this as others do. I don’t like many of the labels people with ASDs have adopted. I have no idea why, but I don’t care for autie, aspie, aspergian, or several other terms I’ve…
This morning I awoke to Mimi and Alex purring next to me. It is overcast, which I like, and cool. As I was doing the dishes, I thought about how fortunate we are right now. We have a house, incomplete as it is, the yard is looking much better this…