All Kinds of Minds
In the media, all that is ever discussed are the downsides of autism and, indeed, even in this website thus far we have discussed only the deficits of autism. While downsides definitely exist and can be quite powerful, like most things in life autism also has some positive aspects that are overlooked in discussions.
This article is divided into two halves. First, we'll cover just a few of the positive aspects of autism (yes, they do exist!), and then we will discuss the argument that "the world needs all kinds of brains."
This article is divided into two halves. First, we'll cover just a few of the positive aspects of autism (yes, they do exist!), and then we will discuss the argument that "the world needs all kinds of brains."
Concentration
People on the autism spectrum generally have a great sense of concentration when the subject is one of their interests to the point where, at least with some, such concentration can be described as verging on obsession. This, however, can be a very positive trait. For example, the Nobel Prize winner Vernon Smith, discussing the selective advantages of his Asperger's, said “I can switch out and go into a concentrated mode and the world is completely shut out. If I'm writing something, nothing else exists.” The article went on to say that "Smith says his capacity for deep concentration contributed to his ability to win the Nobel Prize."
Read more in Elaine Hall's article - Autism: Is it an 'Obsession' Or Just a Preferred Interest? about embracing and channeling obsessions instead of attempting to train them away.
Read more in Elaine Hall's article - Autism: Is it an 'Obsession' Or Just a Preferred Interest? about embracing and channeling obsessions instead of attempting to train them away.
Passion
Similar to concentration, people on the autism spectrum frequently are quite passionate about the subjects of their interest. My sister, for example, can speak to you in great depth, with almost expert-level knowledge, on several areas, such as eugenics (passions don't have to be positive things), rights of minority groups, and - currently - the country of Kyrgyzstan. Others are passionate about interests as different as bus routes, as in the case of one little boy I met in China, and sound electronics, as in the case of the author of Look Me in the Eye. As you can imagine, these passions can be incredibly beneficial to certain jobs if applied appropriately. The author of Look Me in the Eye turned his passion into a career, even designing special effects for the band KISS, and I personally thought the young boy I met in China would make a great ticket-taker on the bus, since he knew where all the stops were.
Read more in Temple Grandin's article - Harnessing the Power of Passions, about working with a child on the spectrum's special interests in their education.
Read more in Temple Grandin's article - Harnessing the Power of Passions, about working with a child on the spectrum's special interests in their education.
Seeing Patterns and Systems
Many people on the autism spectrum are great at seeing patterns or understanding systems which are otherwise hard to see. For example, Michelle Dawson's ability to notice flaws in systems has helped make her a great researcher.
The World Needs All Kinds of Minds
What would a world be like without people like Temple Grandin and Vernon Smith? For one thing, the field of experimental economics would be lagging; for another, our slaughterhouses would be less productive and less ethical. Those are just some high-profile examples of the contributions people on the autism spectrum remains, but I think I've made my point - all kinds of minds, including those on the spectrum, can make contributions to the world. Here are their explanations in their own words.
Vernon Smith
CNBC: There are people who think that a number of highly influential executives may have Asperger's or are on the autism spectrum. Is that society making a judgement or is it coming to realize that there are different kinds of minds?
Smith: I think it's different kinds of minds, and the recognition that certain mental deficiencies may actually have some selective advantages in terms of activities. We've lost a lot of the barriers that have to do with skin color and with various other characteristics. But there's still not sufficient recognition of mental diversities. And we don't all have to think alike to be communal and to live in a productive and satisfying world.
Notice that in the clip, despite Vernon Smith discussing the positive aspects of Asperger's, the segment is labeled Autism: The Hidden Epidemic - Paying the Price, which plays into the media narrative surrounding autism.
Smith: I think it's different kinds of minds, and the recognition that certain mental deficiencies may actually have some selective advantages in terms of activities. We've lost a lot of the barriers that have to do with skin color and with various other characteristics. But there's still not sufficient recognition of mental diversities. And we don't all have to think alike to be communal and to live in a productive and satisfying world.
Notice that in the clip, despite Vernon Smith discussing the positive aspects of Asperger's, the segment is labeled Autism: The Hidden Epidemic - Paying the Price, which plays into the media narrative surrounding autism.
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Temple Grandin
The woman to make the phrase "Different, Not Less," well-known, Temple Grandin has become a celebrity in the autism world in her own right. Here she gives a TED talk which I highly recommend watching called "The world needs all kinds of minds."
Learn More
Want to read more about some of the selective advantages of autism? Check out this article from Wired, called The Truth About Autism: Scientists Reconsider What They Think They Know. You'll notice this particular article pops up several times in the website - that's because it's really beneficial to understanding autism and I highly recommend you read it.
Up Next: Further Reading
Unfortunately, I couldn't fit all the information I had to share into just eight articles. So the eighth and last page in our list is actually a repository of many articles on a variety of subjects, such as the stigma of autism, advice for parents of newly diagnosed children, advice for interacting with people with AS, more stories of successful people on the spectrum, and more. Check it out and decide what articles you're most interested in!
