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NAS perpetuating autism stereotypes?

Hope

The NAS has a document about the special attributes people with autism are supposed to have which are commendable in the world of work, such as reliability, attention to detail, technical ability; etc. However, while as with every stereotype there is some truth to this, it does not reflect the lived experience of many on the spectrum.

Take attention to detail and ability to focus. Yes, it is true that people with autism often persist at tasks they are interested in, sometimes at the expense of everyday demands such as eating and organising one's life. Often the focus is very narrow and highly specific, as they will zoom in on part of a task and will not see the big picture. This can be a real problem in a work place environment unless the task is very repetitive and specific, such as computer coding. However, not all people with autism are interested in or excel at computing, and so this can be an unhelpful stereotype. This is particularly the case if, like me, they have spatial awareness difficulties or dyspraxic traits.

Also, many people with ASC have ADHD traits, and this can counteract attention to detail in some situations, resulting in careless mistakes because of poor attention and distractibility.

Again, ADHD  and dyspraxic traits can undermine reliability, particularly if the person also endures chronic anxiety, which is common in ASC.

People with autism can make good employees in a supported environment with the right reasonable adjustments; but everyone with autism is unique and glib generalisations can actually be quite damaging because they do not always reflect reality for many people on the spectrum, myself included.

 

Parents

  • I don't think my philosophy is a hopeless one - far from it; I am very optimistic and am always challenging myself to try new things while defying people's expectations. But I am also realistic, and I cannot personally relate to the list of positive attributes people on the spectrum are supposed to possess.

    I certainly have attention for detail in my narrow area of expertise, which is currently nutrition and learning arcane words. But my interest is incredibly narrow and egotistical in the sense that it is self-directed and solitary; I am not sure how I can utilise my interest in a work setting. Moreover, my interests change with little warning, which makes it hard to form plans and to stick to them.

    There are different types of motor planning issues, and I struggle with sequencing and spatial awareness, which means that many practical and technical tasks such as computing and engineering, elude me - I am certainly not your steoreotypical 'aspie' in this respect. If anything, I often fail to discern detail and have never mastered Where's Wally.

    I have spoken to other people with Asperger's who have corroborated these points. A friend of mine with AS laments the fact that she does not possess the sterotypical 'aspie' skills, and this perception has negatively affected her already fragile self esteem. She has many admirable skills and qualities, but they cannot be reduced to the simplistic list of special attributes that the NAS claims most people with autism possess.

     

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  • I don't think my philosophy is a hopeless one - far from it; I am very optimistic and am always challenging myself to try new things while defying people's expectations. But I am also realistic, and I cannot personally relate to the list of positive attributes people on the spectrum are supposed to possess.

    I certainly have attention for detail in my narrow area of expertise, which is currently nutrition and learning arcane words. But my interest is incredibly narrow and egotistical in the sense that it is self-directed and solitary; I am not sure how I can utilise my interest in a work setting. Moreover, my interests change with little warning, which makes it hard to form plans and to stick to them.

    There are different types of motor planning issues, and I struggle with sequencing and spatial awareness, which means that many practical and technical tasks such as computing and engineering, elude me - I am certainly not your steoreotypical 'aspie' in this respect. If anything, I often fail to discern detail and have never mastered Where's Wally.

    I have spoken to other people with Asperger's who have corroborated these points. A friend of mine with AS laments the fact that she does not possess the sterotypical 'aspie' skills, and this perception has negatively affected her already fragile self esteem. She has many admirable skills and qualities, but they cannot be reduced to the simplistic list of special attributes that the NAS claims most people with autism possess.

     

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