musicians with Asperger's Syndrome

Subject: RE: musicians with Asperger's Syndrome
From: Schantieman
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 03:50 PM

Nice pome, TTR. Your own?

Thank you for that more reasoned response, LR. I agree about 'treating' with drugs people who are a bit different . In fact I'm not keen on using any drugs, even when I'm ill, if I can help it. That way madness lies. And antibiotic resistant bacteria.

There are a lot of us folkies who are a bit strange - it goes with the job!   I've found that in the folk world people are far more accepting of all sorts of strangeness than in the general population. That may be why I stayed once I discovered it at 15.

I agree about things 'smoothing out', too. I can now, in middle age, actually detect myself 'growing up' and being more aware of other people's feelings, sensibilities etc.   For example I wouldn't (at least in public) make violently blasphemous comments.    Don't get me wrong - I'm a devout atheist, but I think a lot of people might be greatly offended.

Individual differences are fine.   You're right too about my 'characteristics' (shall we say?) making me a more interesting person.
;)
Steve

Subject: RE: musicians with Asperger's Syndrome
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 03:30 PM

Well, my point was this, Steve: Even if there are legitimate Asperger's cases, the majority of these poor "victims" are simply nerds. This push to medicate people who are merely different from the percieved norm is troubling and offensive to me. It wasn't long ago that treating, for example, homosexuality as a mental illness (sometimes with forced castration) was a common practice, and this feels like that to me. (Uh, not that I have any weird urges to sleep with nerds, or anything...)

I, too, probably fit the Asperger's criteria, at least when I was younger: Clumsy; socially awkward, nay, retarded; obsessed with primatology and little else; assorted other "symptoms" and general dorkiness, etc. And although most of that smoothed itself out once I got older and started getting laid, I've grown into a somewhat eccentric adult. Thank fucking god. Who knows, if I'd been treated for so-called Asperger's as a boy, I might be reading popular fiction and listening to Top 40 shit.

So, Steve, I agree with you, that people should have an open mind. But not open to excessive, mind-altering drugs. Open your mind and accept the differences that make you and I unique. I say enjoy your supposed "disability," as it probably makes you a more interesting person. :)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: musicians with Asperger's Syndrome
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 03:20 PM

Ride the Ferris wheel of life
Through all it's ups and downs
See the sights, feel alive
Though mundane are the towns

Interplay and social grace
Are for the chosen few
When power occupies a place
That goodness ought to do

Exposure and abuse you see
Endemic as they are
Watch confidence turn into plea
And near to very far

Vulgar is as vulgar does
We've got so much you see
That people wish the is that was
Are things we'll never be

So hope is best, and work and rest
Acceptance is the key
But gang behavior fails the test
I'd rather just be me.
ttr

Subject: RE: musicians with Asperger's Syndrome
From: Schantieman
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 02:38 PM

Blimey- was that me talking? I have changed!

Subject: RE: musicians with Asperger's Syndrome
From: Schantieman
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 02:36 PM

I did wonder, when I read about this a year or so ago, that I might suffer from it. Difficult to tell, but I nearly fit the criteria above!!!!

Mudcat (and other changes in my life recently) has made a big difference though - and whether I have this or not, I seem to be coping!

A shame that you don't have a more open mind, Lepus Rex!   I used to think like that about things like this too, but more recently I have realised that (a) there is more to life than meets the eye and (b) if one has a point of view different from that of others one is more likely to persuade them of it without violence of language.

Steve

Subject: RE: musicians with Asperger's Syndrome
From: vindelis
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 02:34 PM

I know a young lady with Asperger's Syndrome. She was not diagnosed until she was twenty-three years old. My sister-in-law, who has an autisic son, confirmed that she had the condition. I don't know about the USA, but I do know that in the UK Autism is not covered under the Mental Health Act, which means that you can have people who, in practice, cannot comunicate with the outside world, deemed 'normal' and fully capable of making decisions for themselves.

Subject: RE: musicians with Asperger's Syndrome
From: Mrrzy
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 02:10 PM

Seems like a mild autism from what I've read - and the one person I met who has it, is not exactly a nice person (good luck, Diva!) and probably would not be into music as a SOCIAL thing. Maybe as a solitary thing, though, don't know.

Subject: RE: musicians with Asperger's Syndrome
From: GUEST,Diva
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 02:08 PM

My daughter has been diagnosed with AS and there is nothing pharmaceutical involved in her every day care.....just coping strategies. Especially when faced with narrow minded and ignorant individuals.

Subject: RE: musicians with Asperger's Syndrome
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 02:01 PM

I think Asperger's is a load of shit, personally. The pharmaceutical companies must have creamed their pants when they noticed the huge, untapped parents-disappointed-with-their-nerdy-kids market. On NPR, I heard one of the symptoms was "playing D&D." Fucking please.

And like it's going to help these poor dweebs by diagnosing them with something called "Asperger's." You just wait. "Ass-Burger" will be in the dictionary in 20 years.

---Lepus Rex

Subject: musicians with Asperger's Syndrome
From: sed
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 01:46 PM

I have been reading about a developmental disorder called Asperger's Syndrome or Disorder. Are there any well-known or not so well known musicians in our field who have overcome or tried to overcome this setback?

Here is some info on it. I think when you read it you may see the connection with some folk musicians.

from this source: http://www.geocities.com/aspergifted/WhatisAsperger.html

What is Asperger Syndrome?


ASPERGER SYNDROME: is a neurobiological disorder named after a Viennese physician, Hans Asperger. In 1944 he published a paper describing a pattern of behaviors in several young boys exhibiting autistic-like behaviors and marked deficiencies in social and communication skills who otherwise had normal intelligence and language development. AS can range from mild to severe. Among the variety of characteristics individuals often have deficiencies in social skills and reading non- verbal cues, hypersensitivity to certain sounds, tastes, smell, sights and touch,
difficulties with transition preferring sameness, obsessive routines, preoccupation with a particular interest sometimes exhibiting exceptional skill or talent in this area, and motor clumsiness. In 1994 Asperger Syndrome was added to the DSM IV.

Aspergers Syndrome is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) characterized by severe and sustained impairment in social interaction, development and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. These characteristics result in clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning.


It appears to be more common in males. Onset is later than what is seen in Autism, or at least recognized later. A large number of children are diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 9. Motor delays, clumsiness, social interaction problems, and odd behaviors are reported. Adults with Asperger's have trouble with empathy and social interaction - the disorder follows a continuous course and is usually lifelong.


Aspergers is not easily recognizable - in fact, many children are misdiagnosed with other neurological disorders such as Tourette's Syndrome or Autism. More frequently, children are misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit (and Hyperactivity) Disorders (ADD & ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).


Such mistakes in diagnosis lead to a delay in treatment of the disorder, though changes in diet, many pharmaceuticals and natural remedies are used to treat multiple neurological and pervasive developmental disorders. No single medication or remedy works for everyone - and AS cannot be completely cured.

Because it is so new and so difficult to diagnose, our society is ill-equipped to deal with the special needs of children afflicted with Asperger's.

-------------------------------------------------
Diagnostic Criteria For 299.80 Asperger's Disorder

A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

1. marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity

B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
3. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood

F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia

----------
PS This is not a joke, but a serious inquiry!
-Steve Sedberry