Comments on: Autism: Is it all in the eyes?

By: David

David — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:43:44 +0000

Hmmm, I have to say I really question the online-based autism test (AQ). I took the test twice, and my scores were 25, and 24, respectively. It seems like the scale used to judge answers is flawed. For instance, many of the questions asked varied by scenario for me. I have to say that a lot of the scenario question for social settings had two completely different sets of answers. It all depends on who is attending these social functions. Also, considering that a lot of behavior is learned – I find it difficult to truthfully answer some of these questions. Sometimes I can be very blunt, and others extremely diplomatic. Do the answers to these questions lie in how I would act not being restricted by social conventions and there being no social repercussions? I could go on and on (another learned trait, over time I’ve learned that people, including myself, just don’t want to hear others go on and on about something. However, sometimes I do, and sometimes I don’t – it all depends on my judgement.)

So, maybe I’m taking this out-of-context. But I think the tests themselves are seriously flawed using this type of scale.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:19:43 +0000

I do think autism is one path to come at these subjects due to the flocking/funneling effect I explained above. I am quite emotive, and I scored 11 in the AQ test (despite a couple of loaded math questions like “are you interested in numbers and patterns?” well duh… I do maths…) and got 30 out of 36 on the Glenn Rowe test. I think about maths every day. But I’m not a nerd and I’m not remotely autistic.

If I were a girl I would be very offended by the suggestion that a hyper-female (as opposed to autistic, hyper-male) brain would have “systems-blindness” (*derisive snort*) and presumably an incapability to do maths or science or engineering. My lecturer this year in algebraic number theory (at one of the world’s top ten universities) was one of the girliest girls I have ever met. You would probably take her for a ditzy bimbo if you met her. But she has a scary knowledge of mathematics. She can do this because there is nothing inherently male about mathematics.

All that is true is that (on average) men are more into maths than women, and that (on average) autistic people are more into maths than non-autistic people. Extremely girly women can be mathematically minded, but Baron-Cohen seems not to be aware of these women. Probably because he hasn’t met them.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:19:13 +0000

Really interesting webpage. I am a mathematics masters student, in my experience I have, I think, only known one person who I thought was autistic (a fellow student), although he could just have been strange. I have never had any autistic professors either, and until recently (talking to people who I have met who work with autistic kids) I never thought anything of it before, but now I did some research. Prevalence of autism and Aspergers seems to be reasonably high in mathematicians, but only about the same as in males vs females. As Sir Michael Atiyah has said, “the vast majority of mathematicians do not show any autistic traits”.

I don’t agree with the “systemizing vs empathizing” point of view of Baron-Cohen, come to mention it. I just think any subject that has to do with people (english, humanities), is not an option for autistic people, so they flock to the other subjects. It’s “about people vs not about people”. I don’t think it’s even possible to batch mathematics, engineering, physics and chemistry under a pale, trite phrase such as “systemizing” (try as I might it rings hollow for me). What is possible is to point out that they have something simple in common – they aren’t about people.

By: autism Treatment

autism Treatment — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:26:37 +0000

thanks for the information, good article

By: Ruth Miners

Ruth Miners — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:07:15 +0000

I have lots of experience of working with children with autism, and some resources etc. which may help you. As I’m sure you realise, autism covers a HUGE area. If you email me with the particular problems that the child you are working with has, I’ ll be able to make some suggestions.

Ruth

By: kerryann smith

kerryann smith — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:04:33 +0000

To whom it may concern ,
I have currently got a job with a child of 5 years that has server autism. I wondered if you would have any information or resources in which could help me when aiding the child. I would be more than grateful if you could send me some information or resources either to the email address or to my home address which is :-
46 Cannock Road
Blackfords
Cannock
Staffs
WS11 5BX

Yours faithfully

Miss Kerryann Smith

By: kim

kim — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:45:44 +0000

Thank you for the PDF article !! very good blog, so rich and so clean :)