"We're all on the spectrum somewhere, aren't we?" I hear this phrase a lot from people who are well meaning, well-read and reasonably aware of Autism. I used to accept it without question but, over time, my annoyance at the phrase grew until it was more likely to be met with angry disagreement. People might as well have been saying: "Well it's nothing really, is it?" or "It's no different to anything the rest of us have to put up with is it?" I have recently passed beyond this phase and now bask in the zen-like calm of someone truly at ease with the ignorance of others. Too blunt? Too judgemental? Quite possibly. Let me explain:
It is widely understood that the Electromagnetic Spectrum comprises radiation of different wavelengths and frequencies. They all have different characteristics, but they are all still radiation. Most of us have heard of some of them: Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Ultraviolet, X-Ray and Gamma Ray. They are all invisible, but there is a small section in the middle of the Spectrum that is visible to the human eye. The colours that make up this visible 'white' light are visible when white light is 'split' by a prism. This small part of the spectrum comprises most people's experience of light. We know the familiar colours of the rainbow and their characteristics - we see the effects of their wavelengths with our eyes as they are absorbed or reflected by different materials around us. Everyone knows where they are with visible light.... Few ever feel the need to study the parts of the EM Spectrum which are less 'tangible'. These are things that cannot be understood by looking in the same way we see visible light.
The Neurological Spectrum poses a similar problem - Everyone knows where they are with Neuro Typicals (NTs) even though they encompass a huge variety of different characteristics and behaviours. People with Autism, however, exist firmly in the less well known parts of the Neurological Spectrum; indeed we occupy our own 'Spectrum'. As an Aspie, I find it hard to see things from the perspective of any one who doesn't share my little chunk of the Spectrum. I now suspect it is practically impossible for most NTs to see things from my perspective. How can someone who is NT begin to understand how someone with Autism experiences the world when the very tools we use to experience it are so different? Try to convince an Aspie that you share their experience when you are NT, and you will probably meet some resistance.
In short - someone who is NT may share similar difficulties as someone with Apergers, but the experience will differ enormously. They may both get overwhelmed at a party, become tired and want to leave, but the Aspie may be so overwhelmed it brings on a meltdown.... They might both get scared on a roller-coaster and close their eyes, but the Aspie may suffer sensory overload. Stresses at home or work may get them both down, but the Aspie may be more likely to suffer a severe bout of depression. Equally, both may enjoy a well made film, but the Aspie may dissect it to the nth degree to fully appreciate the craftsmanship and recite volumes of observations to anyone available whether they watched it or not.
We all experience the same difficulties, ups and downs. How we experience them, and how they affect us however, is very, very different. It is clear to me now, that only the most exceptionally open-minded or highly perceptive individuals can look beyond their own NT experience and acknowledge that it is different for us... Which doesn't mean we should stop trying, of course!
It is widely understood that the Electromagnetic Spectrum comprises radiation of different wavelengths and frequencies. They all have different characteristics, but they are all still radiation. Most of us have heard of some of them: Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Ultraviolet, X-Ray and Gamma Ray. They are all invisible, but there is a small section in the middle of the Spectrum that is visible to the human eye. The colours that make up this visible 'white' light are visible when white light is 'split' by a prism. This small part of the spectrum comprises most people's experience of light. We know the familiar colours of the rainbow and their characteristics - we see the effects of their wavelengths with our eyes as they are absorbed or reflected by different materials around us. Everyone knows where they are with visible light.... Few ever feel the need to study the parts of the EM Spectrum which are less 'tangible'. These are things that cannot be understood by looking in the same way we see visible light.
The Neurological Spectrum poses a similar problem - Everyone knows where they are with Neuro Typicals (NTs) even though they encompass a huge variety of different characteristics and behaviours. People with Autism, however, exist firmly in the less well known parts of the Neurological Spectrum; indeed we occupy our own 'Spectrum'. As an Aspie, I find it hard to see things from the perspective of any one who doesn't share my little chunk of the Spectrum. I now suspect it is practically impossible for most NTs to see things from my perspective. How can someone who is NT begin to understand how someone with Autism experiences the world when the very tools we use to experience it are so different? Try to convince an Aspie that you share their experience when you are NT, and you will probably meet some resistance.
In short - someone who is NT may share similar difficulties as someone with Apergers, but the experience will differ enormously. They may both get overwhelmed at a party, become tired and want to leave, but the Aspie may be so overwhelmed it brings on a meltdown.... They might both get scared on a roller-coaster and close their eyes, but the Aspie may suffer sensory overload. Stresses at home or work may get them both down, but the Aspie may be more likely to suffer a severe bout of depression. Equally, both may enjoy a well made film, but the Aspie may dissect it to the nth degree to fully appreciate the craftsmanship and recite volumes of observations to anyone available whether they watched it or not.
We all experience the same difficulties, ups and downs. How we experience them, and how they affect us however, is very, very different. It is clear to me now, that only the most exceptionally open-minded or highly perceptive individuals can look beyond their own NT experience and acknowledge that it is different for us... Which doesn't mean we should stop trying, of course!
