Do We Really Want to “Cure” Asperger’s/High-Functioning Autism?
Is it possible that everyone has a touch of Asperger’s (AS), also called High-Functioning Autism (HFA)? Think about it: all the features that characterize AS and HFA can be found in varying degrees in the “normal” population. For example: A lot of people can engage in tasks (sometimes mundane ones) for hours and hours. A number of “normal” people have outstandingly good rote memories and even retain eidetic imagery into adult life. Collecting objects (e.g., stamps, old glass bottles, railway engine numbers, etc.) are socially accepted hobbies. Everyone differs in their levels of skill in social interaction and in their ability to read nonverbal social cues. Many individuals are visual, three-dimensional thinkers. Many people can pay attention to detail – sometimes with painstaking perfection. Many who are capable and independent as grown-ups have special interests that they pursue with marked enthusiasm. Most men - and many women - prefer logic over emotion. Pedantic spee