Autism: Exploding the Myths and Introducing a Positive Perspective Luke Beardon The Autism Centre Sheffield Hallam University

The Escape Clause My opinion only My opinion only Meant to challenge, not upset Meant to challenge, not upset Intention is to encourage deeper thinking Intention is to encourage deeper thinking I am not dismissing the myriad of very real problems associated with autism I am not dismissing the myriad of very real problems associated with autism Generalisations are unfair and invalid Generalisations are unfair and invalid

Introduction 1 Why do I keep getting beaten up? 8.5 minutes playing time

Introduction 2 Why autism and not Asperger Syndrome? 2.5 minutes playing time

Introduction 3 Why autism is not a learning disability 8 ¼ minutes playing time

Myth 1: Autism is a Spectrum Autism is not a spectrum 12.5 minutes playing time Autism is not a spectrum 12.5 minutes playing time –AS is not a mild form of autism –it is not possible to 'grade' autism –people make assumptions based on behaviour and presentation - mostly, those assumptions are wrong –autism can not be changed

Myth 2: Everyone is a bit Autistic Autistic traits/tendencies/etc. are useless concepts and only demonstrate the inadequacies of current thinking as well as demeaning the entire autistic population 2 ¾ minutes playing time Autistic traits/tendencies/etc. are useless concepts and only demonstrate the inadequacies of current thinking as well as demeaning the entire autistic population 2 ¾ minutes playing time

Myth 3: Autism consists of a 'Triad of Impairments' We are led to believe that individuals with autism are 'impaired' in certain areas We are led to believe that individuals with autism are 'impaired' in certain areas Is this accurate – or is it a 'majority rules' judgement? Is this accurate – or is it a 'majority rules' judgement? Is the skill set of the PNT really so wonderful? Is the skill set of the PNT really so wonderful? Could an autistic manner of behaving be far more sensible and rewarding? Could an autistic manner of behaving be far more sensible and rewarding? 2 minutes playing time 2 minutes playing time

Myth 4: People with Autism are unsociable People with autism are not unsociable People with autism are not unsociable The PNT make very little logical sense The PNT make very little logical sense Unwritten rules are unwritten! Unwritten rules are unwritten! Social niceties could be seen as banal, utterly incomprehensible and a waste of energy – really, what is the point and get to the point! Social niceties could be seen as banal, utterly incomprehensible and a waste of energy – really, what is the point and get to the point! Many people with autism can socialise with one another perfectly well - much of the PNT cannot! Many people with autism can socialise with one another perfectly well - much of the PNT cannot! 4 minutes playing time 4 minutes playing time

Myth 5: People with Autism are Impaired in Verbal Communication Literal interpretation is simply accuracy Literal interpretation is simply accuracy Being pedantic is being linguistically honest Being pedantic is being linguistically honest Tautological discourse - a waste of breath? Tautological discourse - a waste of breath? Prolixity, verbosity, garrulousness, wordiness, effusive, loquacious... Prolixity, verbosity, garrulousness, wordiness, effusive, loquacious... If we actually said what we mean (and meant what we said) then life would improve considerably If we actually said what we mean (and meant what we said) then life would improve considerably 6 ¼ minutes playing time 6 ¼ minutes playing time

Myth 6: Non Verbal Communication is Useful and Effective Actually...it leads to misinformation, confusion, and lack of clarity – for all of us Actually...it leads to misinformation, confusion, and lack of clarity – for all of us Would you prefer everything to be clear expressively and receptively – or prefer doubt, uncertainty, and stress? Would you prefer everything to be clear expressively and receptively – or prefer doubt, uncertainty, and stress? The dreaded first date...snog or no snog? The dreaded first date...snog or no snog? 3.5 minutes playing time 3.5 minutes playing time

Myth 7: People with Autism lack a Theory of Mind People with autism do not lack a Theory of Mind People with autism do not lack a Theory of Mind Or, the PNT lack a Theory of Mind Or, the PNT lack a Theory of Mind It is cross neurological boundaries where the problems arise – not because of any deficit in people with autism It is cross neurological boundaries where the problems arise – not because of any deficit in people with autism Is lying really such a great thing? Is lying really such a great thing? Do you like being able to trust? Do you like being able to trust? 3.5 minutes playing time 3.5 minutes playing time

Myth 8: Dysexecutive Functioning leads to Disorganisation - is there dysfunction at all? Allows for detailed planning Allows for detailed planning Order over chaos Order over chaos Knowing what happens when, for how long and in what order is logical and sensible Knowing what happens when, for how long and in what order is logical and sensible Reduction in wasted time Reduction in wasted time Unpredictability is scary Unpredictability is scary In addition - hypothetically organisational skills are equally as effective, but the sheer amount of organisation required in the autism brain supersedes that of the PNT In addition - hypothetically organisational skills are equally as effective, but the sheer amount of organisation required in the autism brain supersedes that of the PNT 14 ¼ minutes playing time 14 ¼ minutes playing time

Myth 9: Weak Central Coherence is Bad Meticulous attention to areas of interest Meticulous attention to areas of interest Detail is important Detail is important Ability to remain focussed Ability to remain focussed Provision of a wonderful balance with the gestalt led PNT 2 minutes playing time Provision of a wonderful balance with the gestalt led PNT 2 minutes playing time

Myth 10: Sensory Processing is Dysfunctional (Almost) unbelievable senses (Almost) unbelievable senses Sheer joy in processing Sheer joy in processing Perceptual beauty – not a bad thing Perceptual beauty – not a bad thing 5.5 minutes playing time 5.5 minutes playing time

Myth 11: People with Autism have Obsessions Intense passions Intense passions Vocations Vocations Having an 'obsession' can be a wonderful thing Having an 'obsession' can be a wonderful thing Interests are motivational and can be extremely useful 2 minutes playing time Interests are motivational and can be extremely useful 2 minutes playing time

Myth 12: People with Autism are 'Inappropriate' Judgement decision based on PNT concepts Judgement decision based on PNT concepts It's inappropriate to use the term inappropriate without qualifying it It's inappropriate to use the term inappropriate without qualifying it Autistic behaviour (invariably?) makes logical sense - based on individual logical parameters 1.5 minutes playing time Autistic behaviour (invariably?) makes logical sense - based on individual logical parameters 1.5 minutes playing time

Key to Autism: Learning Processes Indirect learning is non specific Indirect learning is non specific People with autism can make excellent direct learners People with autism can make excellent direct learners The necessity of intellectually constantly 'working things out' can lead to appearance of disability 3 minutes playing time The necessity of intellectually constantly 'working things out' can lead to appearance of disability 3 minutes playing time

Autism as a Logical Premise Heterogeneity of the population Heterogeneity of the population learning styles compared to the PNT learning styles compared to the PNT Problems with comparing self to the PNT Problems with comparing self to the PNT Problems with comparing self to others with autism Problems with comparing self to others with autism 4 minutes playing time 4 minutes playing time

Other Aspects Sense of fairness Sense of fairness Burning desire for justice and rightness Burning desire for justice and rightness Sense of humour Sense of humour Ability not to lose childlike fun Ability not to lose childlike fun Intensity of feelings Intensity of feelings Loyalty 2.5 minutes playing time Loyalty 2.5 minutes playing time

So, what is Autism, and what are the implications of getting a diagnosis? Differing cognitive state Differing cognitive state Understanding of self Understanding of self Other people's understanding of you Other people's understanding of you Reduction in disrespectful and inaccurate labels Reduction in disrespectful and inaccurate labels 2.5 minutes playing time 2.5 minutes playing time

Associated Problems Secondary psychiatric issues Secondary psychiatric issues –depression –OCD –pathological anxiety states Autism + Environment = MH problems Autism + Environment = MH problems

Issues to Consider Autism is not inherently problematic Autism is not inherently problematic Yet people with autism face many problems in society Yet people with autism face many problems in society People with autism seem to have huge pressures to change and adapt People with autism seem to have huge pressures to change and adapt Societal adaptation and changes in the PNT is far more sensible Societal adaptation and changes in the PNT is far more sensible

Contact: Contact: Luke Beardon Senior Lecturer in Autism The Autism Centre Sheffield Hallam University