The Matrix of Autism

[Guest guest]

I've written here before, often, about the " cognitive style " of people

" on the spectrum " . It's very important for both members of an AS/NT

relationship to *understand* the differences in mental style between and

among AS and NTs.

This next appeared in the July 24, 2007 online blog " We're Only Human " .

That's an offering of the (mainstream!) Association for Psychological

Science, of which I'm a member:

<http://www.psychologicalscience.org/onlyhuman/2007/07/matrix-of-autism.cfm>

Part of the final paragraph ( " [...] " and underlines are mine):

" ... report[ed] in the August [2007] issue of Psychological Science,

these findings speak not only to the [high] level of autistic

intelligence but to the _nature_ of autistic intelligence. While it is

probably true that autistics possess extraordinary perceptual skills,

and that they use _unique_ cognitive pathways for problem solving, their

intelligence clearly goes far beyond rote memory and perception to

include complex reasoning ability. "

For some of you, experiencing problems in an AS/NT relationship, it

probably is *critical* you understand the whole deeper meaning of that

last paragraph.

The AS among us usually *DO* " get it " , NT perception to the contrary

notwithstanding. But we " get it " in ways most NTs are either/or/both

unable/unwilling to understand. It will pay you and your relationships

huge dividends if you try.

- Bill, 75, AS; ...hoping, again, the message will get across

--

WD " Bill " Loughman - Berkeley, California USA

http://home.earthlink.net/~wdloughman/wdl.htm