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The Speed of Dark

I would like to see more understanding of autism for the deep spectrum and possibly a cure for those who are there,but think the world would be at a loss without the higher functioning thinking that provides the imagination and focus to explore more territories of studies for the good of all provided by the spectrum. I do understand that my difficulties are no nearly as devastating as what others get,but feel my gifts offset the bad parts of my autism so I seek no cure for me.
 
I would like to take a look at this book. I usually only read non-fiction but sci fi is a-okay! And helps many contemplate ethical issues around technology, of course. The idea of cure does scare me at a gut level. The word eugenics comes to mind.
 
having acute difficulties doesnt automaticaly mean we woud want a cure nitro, am severely autistic & LFA and do not want a cure,but am heavily medicated which has helped soften a lot of autistic traits of mine,have had many years of speech and language therapy,have had sensory integration therapy,music therapy,life long theraputic riding therapy etc that is how far am willing to go.

dont know of anyone else with moderate,severe or profound classic autism either who woud accept a cure as these levels of autism come with total lack of social rules and acutely rigid thinking-causing lack of self awareness and lack of awareness of how they fit in society,meaning they will have absolute fear and hatred of any kind of change,plus wont recognise their autism as anything negative because they lack the insight into what others think to be able to make that kind of judgement and comparison.

HFA is the group that has people wanting a cure the most,they have the awareness of themselves and how they fit in society,they have the pressures from mainstream society to fit in and as a result will have a negative view of their autism and themselves, they are expected to do more than us so when they dont they are made to feel like failiures;again focusing on their autism.
people shoud have a choice of what they want,so its not up to the rest of us to deny fellow autists the chance to live the life they crave,but people put everything on the idea of a cure improving their life when it likely wont do anything of the sort especialy if a person took a cure as an adult, am not sure there woud ever be a cure in this way anyway.
 
Nitro said:
I would like to see more understanding of autism for the deep spectrum and possibly a cure for those who are there,but think the world would be at a loss without the higher functioning thinking that provides the imagination and focus to explore more territories of studies for the good of all provided by the spectrum. I do understand that my difficulties are no nearly as devastating as what others get,but feel my gifts offset the bad parts of my autism so I seek no cure for me.
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Yes, those deep on the spectrum do need help, insights to enable higher level of function and flourishing. I think I actually have a new appreciation for the LF end of the spectrum as I think I harbored a sense that intelligence, alone is the major developmental differentiator between LF and HF but I believe sensory issues are as much or more... And can in their own right interfere with cognitive development. I say this because my own sensory issues worsened in adulthood and I do not think I would be nearly as high functioning if they started at this level as a small child.

Just thoughts on that.
 
I've known people with LFA and I would like to see an efficient way to help them learn how to communicate and function in society. LFA can be unfortunate due to the classic lack of communicative skills, but hopefully in the future doctors will be able to detect it early and start treatment so those with LFA can develop more properly.
 
I've read the book a few times with breaks over the years. I was profoundly moved by the main character Lou. I identified so much with his thinking it was a relief to know somebody else was like that. But he is a fictional character. The author has a very good understanding of autism. I don't know where I would place Lou on the spectrum, less than HFA but maybe not LFA. His lack of understanding of others interests and needs really struck me as familiar.

The cure? I don't know. Reading the book over the years I have changed my mind on whether I would want to be cured myself. When I am most frustrated and feel like I can never understand the world, then I have wished for a cure. Other times when my autism gives me gifts like the ability to enjoy things that most people seem to miss, then I do not want a cure. For years the fictional character I most identified with was Data from Start Trek TNG. I do not mean to hijack the thread to speak on TNG but I mention it as an example.

I really was moved by the book and I do recommend it. It was recommended to me by an autistic woman I was dating at the time.
 
Yes! I read this book and enjoyed it very much. I could so relate to the main character, Lou; especially how he felt when attending mass. I am not a religious person, but there were times when I enjoyed going to mass because of the sensory effects and the comfortable,predictable ritual of the service. Also, this book aroused a lot of conflict in how I would feel if someone wanted to make me NT after being an Aspie for so long. A great book!
 
I checked it out last night digitally. As soon as I began to read I felt that connection again to Lou and I felt better. It felt like a world where I belonged, the things that always made sense to me make sense to Lou. I needed that.

umbrellabeach said:
Just found that it's available at my library. When I go back in next week I'll be sure to check it out.
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I just downloaded it again from the library. For some reason the one I downloaded a couple of days ago, expired in 17 hours. That's very strange. I don't know how the system came up with that checkout period. This time it says I have 20 days. Re-reading The Speed of dark gives me the chance to go to a world where .. well, there are things there that I prefer to the real world.
 
Just ordered a copy. I think I am in favor for a cure for very young children but I also feel an older person might find the changes in himself to be very confusing. There are some things I really dislike about NT's assumption that everyone else is, or should be, just like them. True "nerds" often make fantastic contributions to this world. Sure, their inventions are great, but when they act like Aspies they are likely to be mistreated. Too bad the best of both NTs and Aspies can't be magically blended.
 
I've read it - great book - but I disagree with the ending (which I won't mention for those that haven't read it!).
 
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