Comments on: Neruotypical v. Neuro-atypical

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:44:15 +0000

Thanks for this. I have Asperger’s and I have also read the article you quoted. Many people with Asperger’s also have ADHD/ADD, so that’s probably where many of those feelings of familiarity come in.

I particularly liked what you said about trying so hard and inevitably still letting someone down while no one ever noticed how hard you’ve been trying the whole time. It is frustrating and exhausting. Another thing that’s just as tiresome is trying to explain that having an IQ of 135 is irrelevant. With Asperger’s, some people either cannot or will not accept that a person with a high IQ can have some neurological weirdness that causes them to have no idea what the other person is talking about half of the time. (That’s why I prefer “neuro-typical” to “normal”: “neuro-typical” is more specific and Asperger’s is a neurological issue. I know plenty of people without Asperger’s who I would not consider “normal”! However, “neuro-typical” does have a condescending ring to it somehow.)

Anyways, thanks for giving words to my frustration.

By: Steven D

Steven D — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:09:06 +0000

My daughter has ADHD and my wife was recently diagnosed with Adult ADD that she suffered with for a long time and ultimately led to a deep depression and now an anxiety disorder as well. I have a nephew who suffers from seizures and autistic like symptoms. People minimize these conditions, or make light of them but they are very real and very damaging to those who suffer from them. What we need is education of the public, but all of these conditions are increasing in our population for whatever reason.

So thank you for this post Terrence.

By: mythago

mythago — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:16:36 +0000

I haven’t written much lately about my experience with adult ADD, which is not the same as autism. But reading this column made me think there are probably some shared experiences.

On the superficial level of ’screwing up’ and ‘being different’, sure. But it really, really is not the same. What she’s talking about is not merely a sense of being unlike other people; it’s a sense of almost being not human.

Personally I prefer “normal” to “neurotypical”. I mean FFS, it is a disorder.

By: ateott

ateott — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:33:24 +0000

Wow-thanks for this; it’s very true-good points Buffy…

By: Buffy

Buffy — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 04:19:25 +0000

I could pontificate at great length about my opinions on people and their obsession with trying to classify/label others. Having majored in Psychology and worked 20 years in Human Services I’m all too familiar with the practice. Labels can be very helpful (they tell us what services a person may be eligible for/need, what treatments they might need, help find commonality and friends, etc.) but they can also hurt (assumptions, lowered expectations, bigotry, etc. ).

Do the best you can with what you have and what you’re given-and don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. That’s all anybody can (and should) expect of you.

By: Katharine

Katharine — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:58:24 +0000

Okay, I’m clearly biased because you are my dear friend, but I don’t think I’d have you as a friend if there weren’t plenty there to like! I have _always_ thought you were a wonderful listener! What would I have done without you in college, really and truly? You are one of the warmest, most giving people that I know. I think the fact that you write this blog is clear evidence of how much you care — evidence of your dedication to making the world a better place. *hugs* I’m sorry, but if some people can’t see the awesome Terrance that I know, that Rick knows, that Scott knows, that Parker and Dylan know … then in my opinion, that’s their problem, sweetie. I’m not saying any of us is perfect, but I also don’t think you’d be so hard on yourself if you weren’t a caring, responsible citizen.