Here’s another alleged characteristics of aspergers —> Not being able to determine public verses private personal hygiene. For instance: someone may pick their nose or clean their ears in front of others without realizing most people do not do those things in public areas.
I can’t speak for other Aspergians, but I can say for myself that I (for the most part) don’t care what someone else does in public¹ so long as they don’t wipe it on me! There are other things far more important than taking offense to such things as this. I’d rather be next to someone picking his nose than picking my pocket.
I have to assume that I behave ‘properly’ in regards to public hygiene because no one has brought anything to my attention.
This seems to be a cultural issue more than what I’d call a sign of ‘mental illness.’ It all boils down to what you’re desensitized to in public.
¹Do you think I’m gross because I’m more liberal about public hygiene standards? I find it gross to see intimate public displays of same-sex affection. People want to call me ‘homophobic’ for that, so does that mean then that I can call others with more conservative hygiene standards ‘hygienophobics?”
>>>>”I find it gross to see public displays of homosexual affection.” “People want to call me ‘homophobic’ for that, so does that mean then that I can call others with more conservative hygiene standards ‘hygienophobics?”<<<< I find that comparison a bit much to take. I don’t like to see public displays of affection from just about anybody, but I don’t single people out because of their own sexual preferences which I believe are just as much an intrinsic part of their being as Asperger’s is with my being. Comparing messy hair or b.o. phobia to the real life threat that homophobia has on a group of people is a bit offensive and doesn’t belong with the spirit of accepting people for who they are which is what you are asking. Don’t set to pull down one hierarchy while building up another.
Comment by CS — March 21, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
I see lots of people that pick their noses in public. Especially people driving in their cars and they think no one is looking. I think it is kinda silly to have this as a characteristic of Aspergers. Even my daughter who has many health issues and developmental concerns knows how not to do certain things in public. In fact, her manners are way advanced compared to most NT kids we know.
Comment by Marla — March 22, 2008 @ 12:22 am
CS, — What do you mean by “real life threat that ‘homophobia’ has on a group of people?!” It doesn’t make sense because the word ‘homophobia’ makes no sense. Condoning sinful behavior has nothing to do with accepting people for who they are. I’m not judging homosexuals for what they do. I leave that job for God. I love homosexual people, but I am sickened by how they push their values upon society and insist that they are right when saying that there is nothing wrong about it. Tolerance is grossly misunderstood. This is the problem when people have different beliefs. I’m supposed to give up what I believe because someone else doesn’t like it? I doubt other people give up what they believe to please me and I don’t even expect them to do so. This is the natural outcome when people live to please people instead of living to please God. No one can please every person.
I’m offended that you equate Aspergers in the same catagory as sexual behavior. Aspergers is who the person is. Homosexual behavior is just that . . . behavior. If that wasn’t so, then people who once were homosexuals would not be able to stop being homosexuals and that’s not the case because there are ex-homosexual people. An Aspergian will always be an Aspergian just like a neurotypical will always be a neurotypical.
If this looks like it will turn into a debate, I will turn off comments on this post. I have a right to say what I find offensive just like everyone else. Are we now going to have ‘offensophobias?’
Comment by Sheila — March 22, 2008 @ 8:31 am
Yes, you have a right to say what you want, its your blog. I’m not religious, and I find much to loathe about religion, most of which is how it marginalizes people, but that is another discussion. Like people with aspergers, homosexuals have experienced a great deal of marginalization at the hands of people who say they love the sinner, yet condemn the “sin”. There are people on this hub who happen to be homosexual and I don’t think they should have to feel unsafe when they come to the hub by hearing people condemn what is natural for them. Don’t be repelled by debate. Its how we challenge our own closely held beliefs. Otherwise, if we only listen to ourselves, we learn nothing.
Comment by CS — March 22, 2008 @ 8:56 am
Wow . . . someone feels ‘unsafe’ just because I express what I feel, think, and believe. I can’t understand why not saying something would make people feel safer. If I truly was a ‘homophobic’ person, I would not be on the autism hub because I know there are homosexuals on it too. I’m accepting them, but they’re not accepting me if I’m not allowed to express myself. Now that’s what I’d legitimately call a phobia and it seems it would be specifically ‘heterophobia’ and ‘opinionophobia.’
If a homosexual was bleeding on the side of the road, I’d help him just as much as I would if it was a heterosexual. The homosexuals on the hub have NO reason to fear me. God help us because people are already ‘afraid’ of opinions and statements that differ from their own. Maybe people who don’t trust God fear people whereas Godly people don’t fear people because they fear God. That’s the only way I can make logic out of this.
I pray no one takes offense and understands why I think it’s best to end comments to this post since it’s something that could go on indefinitely; plus, it’s really sidetracking from the point behind the post.
Comment by Sheila — March 22, 2008 @ 9:04 am