BBC Radio 4: The link between terrorism and autism.

This quite measured piece (in which National Autistic Society staff are interviewed) was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 (I've mentioned this earlier in replies to another post).

It looks at the Prevent programme, and reasons why autistic people feature heavily amongst those who come to the attention of the authorities.

You have to listen to the whole thing, including the scene-setting in the first half where autism isn't mentioned.   

I'm personally fine with this, in the context of today, although I worry, slightly, that if we end up with an even more extreme Government, on the left or the right, at some point in the future, information like this would make all autistic people very vulnerable.  

I also worry, slightly, that the brevity required for a consumer radio programme is unhelpful (but unavoidable). 

On the principle of 'nothing about us, without us', they have interviewed the NAS, and someone helped by the Prevent programme, but the true nature of the spectrum is not explained to a consumer audience.  If you knew nothing about autism, you may come away with the misleading impression that such vulnerability covered everyone diagnosed with it. They do make the point that of the 700,000 or so people diagnosed in the UK, the vast majority would have nothing to do with terrorism. 

But people seldom listen to radio with their entire attention.  They are driving, or working, or looking after the kids, or on an exercise bike.  People with a full adult reading age and a good education will listen to this with only half an ear, and they'll take away soundbites, one of which may be "autism = terrorism".  

I'm not critical of the programme - it's part of a series investigating terrorism, and why people get involved, and it's good journalism. 

I'm not critical of NAS involvement, because their non-involvement would not prevent it being broadcast, and it's better that the programme goes out with their voice than without it. 

But I think this sort of thing places a huge pressure on autistic people, and particularly those whose autism does not affect language and their ability to marshal and present an argument, because we all need to be advocates for an intelligent approach to this stuff. 

The is not the fault of the journalism, to be clear; the journalism is merely reporting the facts, in this instance.  It’s not anyone’s ‘fault’.  It’s a difficult, harsh, truth that those of us on the spectrum have to deal with.

We all need to be well informed about this stuff, and to keep abreast of it, and if we don't, events which have a critical impact on our lives will, indeed, be decided without us.

Some of the key messages coming out from this (more resources needed for psychiatric and support services) are really good.  There's no inaccuracy, that I can see.  But I just feel that this is a high risk area for us, and we should keep careful tabs on it.

Here's the link.  Happy listening(!)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0013swk 

(If the link doesn't work BBC i player / Terrorism and the Mind / The Mental Health Front Line / BBC Radio 4).  

Parents
  • Reading this report (link below) - about an extremely vulnerable, autistic man, 'cuckolded' (had people forcibly move into his house against his wishes to use it as a base for drugs trading), and then murdered, by a bunch of thugs, it's hard to escape the conclusion that woefully under-resourced mental health services (who failed to supply the support he needed) acted in concert (albeit unwittingly) with those who killed him.

    He was clearly suggestible, and transparently vulnerable. He should have been protected from this awful fate.  

    He was neglected by support services, and even if you discard the moral argument and look at it from their perspective, in terms of cynical political self-interest, they've now ended up devoting far more resources to the situation (police investigations, court cases, massive negative publicity etc) than they would have done by dealing with him diligently and professionally in the first place.  

    He didn't become a terrorist and he wasn't on Prevent's radar, but it's just another tragic outcome resulting from the same core problem.  

    Here's the report if you haven't seen it (despite 'partygate' it has had extensive reporting across the media):

    www.bbc.co.uk/.../uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-60125424

  • That's not the right word. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/cuckolded

    You do use odd English. In a post above you refer to there being "bizarre posts" recently. 

    Again with the dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/bizarre

    I'm made curious to wonder which of the recent posts do you consider "unusual" for an autists forum?

    Just piqued my curiosity. I've read more of the thread now, and it looks like I'm in the adults section at last.

    I think I'll just adjust my attitude and read for a while..

  • On a lighter note, I'm glad that someone who can deploy the phrase "made curious to wonder" sees no irony in accusing me of using "odd English" Wink  

  • On a more interesting note, now I've finally managed to hear the broadcast, just wow!

    A couple of things if I may?

    The Brummie describing his bad thoughts and how the medications helped him sort them out and reduce their power to influence him, was the exact inverse of my personal initial Prozac experience. Prozac pushed me towards his unmedicated state, which is why I discontinued it. 

    The access to mental health help thing is a joke. I've been trying to get help with the ADD for a few years now, this week, I will be exploring Ritalin, outside of the system, because, frankly I want to get it done and see if that drug will hep me focus and restore to me the ability to obtain a living which I lost twenty years ago this year. I've been very good about the last twenty years of complete poverty and the slow dismantling of my lifestyle that resulted, have eschewed crime, and generally "sucked it down" like a trooper, but I'm still raging against my limitations and dealing with the consequent feelings of uselessness, helplessness etc. and getting older. I can't wait whilst my needs are ignored and my requests unanswered in the usual manner..

    Did I read correctly that if I out myself to the correct agency, maybe knock up a bomb or two (I'm happy to do that providing I don't have to hurt anyone or destroy useful property) they might give me "pip" without having to lie or describe my limitations with a view to convincing someone who is expecting dishonesty on my part even before they meet me?

    And in my case, I am sure my weapons interests and enduring wish to fire a gun again are a psychological injury caused by my weapons training at an impressionable age by the government!

    Although actually it feels ore of a 'sperg thing in latter years. I could never get the Browing Hi-Power to do a full magazine without jamming... Now I know why it did that, I think I'd like to have another go..

    I've always wanted to get a bit more practice, but ever since Dunblane it's become almost impossible.

    However.. I FOUND A FIREARMS TEACHINGS ESTABLISHMENT that will let me continue my weapons training! If I can get a group of us together we can do the police firearms course, or a mixed weapons handling course, with breaking any law!! Which would be good, but it's about 800 quid a day plus accommodation. Boo! Also, everyone I know who professes an interest in weapons even those who own airguns and the like seem to balk when I suggest that we actually go and do some. They are all afraid of ending up on some sort of a "list" seems to be the consensus.

    If you think video games are addictive, they aren't. Not compared to firing a real bang-stick! Those who carry firearms for a living are taught from day1 not to enjoy it. Like that really has any effect, go talk to anyone who's fired a gun, and once you get past the "It's no big deal", in reality there is a visceral power in the thing, that I'm personally really glad is held out of the hands of some of you people out there. Some of us can't be trusted to use a laptop correctly, let alone a gun! I don't think I'll ever do that curse, I'd probably want to do more, and I really don't need an expensive interest!

    Yes, I just revealed that I have a long standing and abiding deep interest in weapons, and probably worse, it was cast in the crucible of my lifelong need to protect myself, although the rule of law has done a reasonable job of making the streets safe for me to use unarmed, (I've only been mugged twice, and both times managed to retain my property and health through application of psychology & positioning, no gun required) so the gun laws work for me. I'd hate to live in the U.S. where of course whilst I get to indulge my interest practically, that "fun" is offset by the sobering fact that the sort of idiots who express hate when I speak my mind inappropriately could be armed with a gun!

    I'd HAVE to have one over there, and the downside to owning firearms as a means of self protection rather than a hobby, is that they are yet another thing that you have to spend a lot of time constantly keeping track of and remembering where it is, and cleaning and lubricating, and keeping it out of the hands of the kids... 

    Anyway, the fascination of weapons pales in richness, to the fascination and complexity of adding our two new cats into my life. I've finally got the second one to "like" me and in less than three months! Watching her grow from a small thing (she's ten years old so not a kitten) hiding behind the electrostatics and having to be coaxed out for food, to the rather happier little dominatrix she is becoming, is way more fun than poking holes in targets from a distance. And now they are ganging up on me for the promised "play"... 

    Was that a "bizarre" post? Probably, if you've not done any weapons handling, I suppose. But terrorism? Killing people or blowing their stuff up or making biological weapons in laboratories?

    Aren't our governments doing enough of that stuff already? 

    Terrorism isn't a mental health problem it's an evil problem. To many people are being taught by our beloved "mass media" that violent means can solve problems. That idea permeates EVERYTHING on T.V. except when the protagonists cannot shoot their way out of trouble, then they LIE their way out of trouble. These techniques are held up as solutions, rather than the actual prolonging of the problems that they really are. Of course the weak minded or desperate will be drawn to seeking these sorts of solutions.

    Of course our cohort includes many of these people but if we were focussed on, and eliminated as a source of terrorists, it still would not eliminate the problem, just make us even more of a target for "interference" disguised as "working for the greater good". 

    My experience is that with genuine loving help, I can play a useful role in this society, (and I have in the past) but left to my own devices unaided, I just get the shitty end of the stick endlessly, and it is very demoralising.

    It would fill me with hatred and resentment if I had not found it possible to exist outside of the system without starving or being constantly hounded for money I do not have, and cannot acquire. 

    Fortunately the original subversive, Jesus Christ, told me how to finesse this. He said "Be in the world, but not of the world". Suits me.

    I do pity the poor souls who have neither resourcefulness nor religious training to fall on, they must be easy meat for the recruiters & promoters of evil, such as your terrorist organisations, or government.

  • OK.  Sorry if I upset you, that wasn't the intention. 

  • I'm glad to read that you're looking after your mental heath whilst calling other posters output, when expressed on this forum, as "bizarre"

    I'll replace the word Odd with "jarring" to make the difference between what I did there, and what you now appear to be doing here, clearer.

    And yes, when I write, I do get a little "steampunk" in my choice of words from time to time. It's a decoration rather than an affection.

Reply
  • I'm glad to read that you're looking after your mental heath whilst calling other posters output, when expressed on this forum, as "bizarre"

    I'll replace the word Odd with "jarring" to make the difference between what I did there, and what you now appear to be doing here, clearer.

    And yes, when I write, I do get a little "steampunk" in my choice of words from time to time. It's a decoration rather than an affection.

Children
  • On a more interesting note, now I've finally managed to hear the broadcast, just wow!

    A couple of things if I may?

    The Brummie describing his bad thoughts and how the medications helped him sort them out and reduce their power to influence him, was the exact inverse of my personal initial Prozac experience. Prozac pushed me towards his unmedicated state, which is why I discontinued it. 

    The access to mental health help thing is a joke. I've been trying to get help with the ADD for a few years now, this week, I will be exploring Ritalin, outside of the system, because, frankly I want to get it done and see if that drug will hep me focus and restore to me the ability to obtain a living which I lost twenty years ago this year. I've been very good about the last twenty years of complete poverty and the slow dismantling of my lifestyle that resulted, have eschewed crime, and generally "sucked it down" like a trooper, but I'm still raging against my limitations and dealing with the consequent feelings of uselessness, helplessness etc. and getting older. I can't wait whilst my needs are ignored and my requests unanswered in the usual manner..

    Did I read correctly that if I out myself to the correct agency, maybe knock up a bomb or two (I'm happy to do that providing I don't have to hurt anyone or destroy useful property) they might give me "pip" without having to lie or describe my limitations with a view to convincing someone who is expecting dishonesty on my part even before they meet me?

    And in my case, I am sure my weapons interests and enduring wish to fire a gun again are a psychological injury caused by my weapons training at an impressionable age by the government!

    Although actually it feels ore of a 'sperg thing in latter years. I could never get the Browing Hi-Power to do a full magazine without jamming... Now I know why it did that, I think I'd like to have another go..

    I've always wanted to get a bit more practice, but ever since Dunblane it's become almost impossible.

    However.. I FOUND A FIREARMS TEACHINGS ESTABLISHMENT that will let me continue my weapons training! If I can get a group of us together we can do the police firearms course, or a mixed weapons handling course, with breaking any law!! Which would be good, but it's about 800 quid a day plus accommodation. Boo! Also, everyone I know who professes an interest in weapons even those who own airguns and the like seem to balk when I suggest that we actually go and do some. They are all afraid of ending up on some sort of a "list" seems to be the consensus.

    If you think video games are addictive, they aren't. Not compared to firing a real bang-stick! Those who carry firearms for a living are taught from day1 not to enjoy it. Like that really has any effect, go talk to anyone who's fired a gun, and once you get past the "It's no big deal", in reality there is a visceral power in the thing, that I'm personally really glad is held out of the hands of some of you people out there. Some of us can't be trusted to use a laptop correctly, let alone a gun! I don't think I'll ever do that curse, I'd probably want to do more, and I really don't need an expensive interest!

    Yes, I just revealed that I have a long standing and abiding deep interest in weapons, and probably worse, it was cast in the crucible of my lifelong need to protect myself, although the rule of law has done a reasonable job of making the streets safe for me to use unarmed, (I've only been mugged twice, and both times managed to retain my property and health through application of psychology & positioning, no gun required) so the gun laws work for me. I'd hate to live in the U.S. where of course whilst I get to indulge my interest practically, that "fun" is offset by the sobering fact that the sort of idiots who express hate when I speak my mind inappropriately could be armed with a gun!

    I'd HAVE to have one over there, and the downside to owning firearms as a means of self protection rather than a hobby, is that they are yet another thing that you have to spend a lot of time constantly keeping track of and remembering where it is, and cleaning and lubricating, and keeping it out of the hands of the kids... 

    Anyway, the fascination of weapons pales in richness, to the fascination and complexity of adding our two new cats into my life. I've finally got the second one to "like" me and in less than three months! Watching her grow from a small thing (she's ten years old so not a kitten) hiding behind the electrostatics and having to be coaxed out for food, to the rather happier little dominatrix she is becoming, is way more fun than poking holes in targets from a distance. And now they are ganging up on me for the promised "play"... 

    Was that a "bizarre" post? Probably, if you've not done any weapons handling, I suppose. But terrorism? Killing people or blowing their stuff up or making biological weapons in laboratories?

    Aren't our governments doing enough of that stuff already? 

    Terrorism isn't a mental health problem it's an evil problem. To many people are being taught by our beloved "mass media" that violent means can solve problems. That idea permeates EVERYTHING on T.V. except when the protagonists cannot shoot their way out of trouble, then they LIE their way out of trouble. These techniques are held up as solutions, rather than the actual prolonging of the problems that they really are. Of course the weak minded or desperate will be drawn to seeking these sorts of solutions.

    Of course our cohort includes many of these people but if we were focussed on, and eliminated as a source of terrorists, it still would not eliminate the problem, just make us even more of a target for "interference" disguised as "working for the greater good". 

    My experience is that with genuine loving help, I can play a useful role in this society, (and I have in the past) but left to my own devices unaided, I just get the shitty end of the stick endlessly, and it is very demoralising.

    It would fill me with hatred and resentment if I had not found it possible to exist outside of the system without starving or being constantly hounded for money I do not have, and cannot acquire. 

    Fortunately the original subversive, Jesus Christ, told me how to finesse this. He said "Be in the world, but not of the world". Suits me.

    I do pity the poor souls who have neither resourcefulness nor religious training to fall on, they must be easy meat for the recruiters & promoters of evil, such as your terrorist organisations, or government.

  • OK.  Sorry if I upset you, that wasn't the intention.