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Article #4: Sociology facts of autism

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Due to the complexity of autism, there personal physicians and media journalists
are many facets of sociology that need to continually investigate these rumors, but
be considered when discussing it, such as some say that the claims are actually
the culture which has evolved from libellous of their character as public
autistic persons connecting and figures, being singled out as "odd" or
communicating with one another. In "nerdy" people.
addition, there are several subgroups Autistic adults
forming within the autistic community, Communication and social problems often
sometimes in strong opposition to one cause difficulties in many areas of the
another. autistic's life. A much smaller
Community and politics proportion of adult autistics marry or
Curing autism is a very highly have children than the general
controversial and politicized issue. What population. Even when they do marry, some
some call the "autistic community" has argue, it is more likely to end in
splintered into several strands. Some divorce than the norm, although further
seek a cure for autism - sometimes dubbed research should perhaps be made.
by pro-cure. Others do not desire a Nevertheless, as more social groups form,
"cure", because they point out that progressively more diagnosed adults are
autism is a way of life rather than a forming relationships with others on the
"disease", and as such resist it. They spectrum.
are sometimes dubbed anti-cure. Many more A small proportion of autistic adults,
may have views between these two. usually those with high-functioning
Recently, with scientists learning more autism or Asperger's syndrome, are able
about autism and possibly coming closer to work successfully in mainstream jobs,
to effective remedies, some members of although frequently far below their
the "anti-cure" movement sent a letter to actual level of skills and qualification.
the United Nations demanding to be Some have managed to gain
treated as a minority group rather than a self-employment.
group with a mental disability or Others are employed in sheltered
disease. workshops under the supervision of
There are many resources available for managers trained in working with persons
autistic people. Because many autistics with disabilities. A nurturing
find it easier to communicate online than environment at home, at school, and later
in person, a large number of these in job training and at work, helps
resources are online. In addition, autistic people continue to learn and to
successful autistic adults, using their develop throughout their lives.
own experience in developing coping It is often said that the Internet, since
strategies and/or interacting with it is almost devoid of the non-verbal
society, are often involved at the cues that autistics find so hard to
community level with children with interact with, has given some autistic
autism, using their own experience in individuals an environment in which they
developing coping strategies and/or can, and do, communicate and form online
interacting with society. communities. The internet has also
The year 2002 was declared Autism provided the option of occupations such
Awareness Year in the United Kingdom (see as, teleworking and independent
Autistic Community article). consulting, which, in general, do not
Culture require much human interaction offline.
With the recent increases in autism Under the public law, in the United
recognition and new approaches to States, the public schools'
educating and socializing autistics, an responsibility for providing services
autistic culture has begun to develop. ends when the autistic person is 21 years
Similar to deaf culture, autistic culture of age. The autistic person and their
is based on a more accepting belief that family are then faced with the challenge
autism is a unique way of being and not a of finding living arrangements and
disorder to be cured. There are some employment to match their particular
commonalities which are specific to needs, as well as the programs and
autism in general as a culture, not just facilities that can provide support
"autistic culture". services to achieve these goals.
It is a common misperception that Many parents of autistic children also
autistic people do not marry; many do face financial difficulties as they must
seek out close relationships and marry. often pay for essential support and
Often, they marry another autistic, therapeutic services. Furthermore, autism
although this is not always the case. is often linked to poverty because
Autistic people are often attracted to autistics who might qualify for financial
other autistic people due to shared assistance in one country are not
interests or obsessions, but more often eligible in another, because some nations
than not the attraction is due to simple do not recognize autism as a disability.
compatibility with personality types, the Terminology
same as for non-autistics. Autistics who When referring to someone who is
communicate have explained that diagnosed with autism, the term
companionship is as important to "autistic" is often used. Alternatively,
autistics as it is to anyone else. many prefer to use the person-first
It is also a common misperception that terminology "person with autism" or
autistic people live away from other "person who experiences autism." However,
people, such as in a rural area rather it has been noted that members of the
than an urban area; many autistics do autistic community generally prefer
happily live in a suburb or large city. "autistic person" for reasons that are
However, a metropolitan area can provide fairly controversial. This article uses
more opportunities for cultural and both terminologies.
personal conflicts, requiring greater Autistic savants
needs for adjustment. The autistic savant phenomenon is
In schools it is commonplace for sometimes seen in autistic people. Savant
autistics to be singled out by teachers syndrome occurs in about 10% of autistic
and students as "unruly," though an people and in about 1% of non-autistic
autistic student may not understand why people. The term "autistic savant" is
his or her actions are considered used to describe a person who is autistic
inappropriate, especially when the and has extreme talent in one or more
student has a logical explanation for his areas of study (the incidence of multiple
or her behavior. skills tend to occur more often in
The interests of autistic people and autistic savants than non-autistic
so-called "geeks" or "nerds" can often savants). Although there is a common
overlap as autistic people can sometimes association between savants and autism
become preoccupied with certain subjects, (an association made especially popular
much like anyone else. However, in by the 1988 film Rain Man), most autistic
practice many autistic people have people are not savants and savantism is
difficulty with working in groups, which not unique to autistic people, though
impairs them even in the most 'geeky' of there does seem to be some relation.
situations. The connection of autism with Mental calculators and fast computer
so-called geek or nerd behavior has programming skills are the most common
received attention in the popular press, form. A well known example is Daniel
but is still controversial within these Tammet, the subject of the documentary
groups.[96] film The Brain Man (Kim Peek, one of the
Speculation arises over famous people and inspirations for Dustin Hoffman's
celebrities who are now suspected, but character in the film Rain Man, is not
unconfirmed, of having autism and autistic). Bright Splinters of the Mind
Asperger's syndrome. They are rumored to by Beate Hermelin is a book that explores
have most symptoms of autism or this issue further.
autistic-spectrum disorder. Biographers,






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