Where does the Stigma Come From? Asperger Myths?

[Withnail88]

I mean apart from our not following social norms that everyone else just takes for granted.
Someone came and spoke to my 7th Grade class specifically about Aspergers, because one of our classmates had it. I think there were several other things wrong with her head too. And we were pretty terrible to her. Of course, I regret it now, because we were terrible. But as we were being spoke to about it, I had this sort of attitude like I didn't think it was applicable to me. I didn't realize, I was in 7th Grade. And I understood it wasn't the worst thing that someone could have but I still had this sort of Boy-Am-I-Glad-I'm-Pretty-Sure-I-Don't-Have-That attitude. Point is, I always sort of associated it with this girl everyone bullied for possessing mental maladies that were beyond her control. Right then and there it developed a stigma in my mind. I think it gets stigmatized even by people who don't personally know someone who has it. People who don't even know what it is.
True, we do display some idiosyncratic behaviors, and I think the way it's portrayed in the media, especially the internet, plays into that.
What are the myths about Aspies that make society react with such animosity? How do you think these were perpetuated? Why?
Just list for me the Aspie myths and stigmas you see as being problematic.

 

[Occasional_Demon]

I think one of the prevailing myths about Aspies is that we are insensitive, selfish assholes with no empathy, when I think that a lot of people on the spectrum do actually, in fact, give a crap about other people. For me at least, it's because I find it hard to a) identify my feelings and b) show my concern for others in a way that is emotionally appropriate. I tend to show that I like someone by doing something practical for them - i.e. I care deeply for my [NT] boyfriend, therefore I'm willing to clean his apartment Whereas his way of telling me that he cared deeply for me was to actually tell me in person.

I think that myth is also perpetuated by people who claim to be Aspies because it's the diagnosis-du-jour, and use it as an excuse to be an asshole. I'm a bit tired of those people who claim to be on the spectrum and then believe that it gives them a free pass to stomp all over other people, because "it's part of their condition". No it's not, it's part of you being a douchebag.

Another myth that I find frustrating is the myth that all Aspies don't want social interaction. It's definitely not the case for me, and not the case for all the Aspies that I've met and worked with. I've worked with Aspie teenagers and one of their chief complaints was that they wanted to mix with their peers but didn't know how. I think that myth increases the isolation Aspies may feel because others may think, well they must be happy being alone, when that's not always the case. I know that if I didn't have regular social interaction, in some form [face-to-face, online, etc.], I would become quite upset.

 

[Withnail88]

Yeah, those could be it. I like that about not being a douchebag; so thanks for the laugh!
I feel like the name of the condition itself is far too easy to make fun of. Granted, I know it's the name of the guy who discovered it, but it's too easy cuz it sounds like "ass" and "burger". I also see the word "sperging" around the internet a lot too, to describe someone who is going on and on about their fixations, and that's annoying and uncomfortable too. It's got a negative connotation. The thing is, apart from the Aspergers, I feel more or less normal.

 

[epath13]

@Withnail88
Why do you think that you have Asperger's?

 

[Withnail88]

I was tested recently. Due to insurance red tape I have not completed the last part of the test yet. But the lady who gave it to me is pretty sure the test will come up saying I have it.
I guess it just makes sense when I think about what I was like as a kid. I just didn't realize it in 7th grade.