From miniskirts to minivans, Uniformity's avalanche latest: domesticate Autistics

From miniskirts to minivans, Uniformity's avalanche latest: domesticate Autistics
It boggles my mind every time I hear it. Well meaning scientists with impeccable knowledge finding no outlet to their creativity except through pharmaceutical drugs. This time it is autism. There is a tuberculosis drug called cycloserine currently being tested to reverse autistics social inclinations and get them to conform with society's ideas of social behavior. Of course the argument is that autistics with even above average intelligence grow up to be under-employed or unemployed solely due to their social inaptitude.

While the lack of social skills can be a problem in the workplace for many, the question is, are autistics unable to learn these skills and therefore needing medication; or are autistics refusing to engage in this whole social scheme and workplace etiquette and therefore willingly ending up outside the system.

Of course for the youngsters among autistics it looks to an observer like they can't learn social rules of conduct. But this is only how it looks. Most of these kids can not express themselves and therefore cannot voice their displeasure with the communication system used by neurotypicals. However, as these autistics grow up and gain better ability of self-expression, they tell you a different story. The story I have heard over and over is about disenchantment with a communication system based in the abstract and commonly devoid of logic or reason.

The neurotypical system of interpersonal communication, while greatly evolved and serves the community quite well, does not sit well with most autistics who prefer more concrete, logic-based communication. This fact has led many autistics to rebel against workplace politics and hierarchy and rules.

At it stands this is a philosophical difference and not a deficiency that autistics have. In fact the argument, in an ideal world can go both ways. Why don't neurotypicals embrace a straightforward, logical and sensical communication system instead. Of course, this is only a rhetorical question but the point is, the fact that an autistic person prefers to communicate in a way that puts her in the minority, does not mean she needs treatment. It only means that she has a choice to make. Either learn the neurotypical ways, and stay within the system or continue your rebellion and find or create an environment conducive to the system you prefer.

What neurotypicals don't realize is that the number of autistics among them who have chosen to learn the system is bigger than they could ever imagine. In fact in business schools the teaching goes that about 6% of the workforce is made up today of "odd elements" that try everyday to comply with the needs of the current environment. Of course these 6% are the neuroAtypicals who have chosen to comply with the abstract illogical system of communication prevalent today in the workplace.

Some other autistics refuse to learn it because of all the disdain they have for the system and choose to do something else. Mainly they create or join environments that cherish their own ways of communication.

This topic is a pure choice that every autistic has to make for herself at some point in her life. This is not some sort of deficiency or defect for the medical experts to cure.

The sad part is that fully competent scientists fail to see this choice because they are wrapped up in an environment where the only way they can fulfill a career Ambition is by finding a "disease" that needs a pharmaceutical treatment. This is where the grants are and the glory. If they choose to see things the way they are, then there are not as many diseases to treat and there is so much lost potential and ruined careers.

Don't you wish we lived in a world where scientists are given grants to examine lifestyles and arrive at the most suitable lifestyle changes that fit our personalities; but no one pays you to do that so you have to go for unsanctioned drugs to keep your job and passion going. Sad very sad reality.


Rami Serhan, MD
http://sovereignresearch.org
http://sovereignresearch.org/psychesmartautismtm
https://autismtm.com