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Spectrumites
[8561297]
[2008-10-11 09:35:20 +0000 UTC]
"Autistic Community Group"
# Statistics
Watchers: 79; Pageviews: 12526
# Group admins
# About me
Spectrumites is a group dedicated to the development of the autistic community. We do this by focusing on three areas - autistic rights activism, connections between autistic people, and support.We believe that these three things are inseparable parts of creating an autistic community - support requires activism, as real support can only exist in a community that accepts people for who they are; activism requires support, as this will keep the activism grounded in the idea of helping real autistic people; and both these things require strong community connections.
This group is dedicated to creating a home for people on the autistic spectrum, however family and friends of autistic people are also welcome.
# Comments
Comments: 47
This group is pretty much dead - the admin have both been gone for ages (the founder visited DA 7 weeks ago and the co-founder has been gone for over 300 weeks).
With no admin to keep the group up to date and accept/decline submissions, there's no point in sticking around.
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Hey, if anybody could check out my latest journal entry I will love them forever, thank you! marzipandrizzle.deviantart.com…
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Thanks for accepting my membership. So is this group still active? The forum spent a long time pretty empty, but now people are back on it. [link]
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We're trying to get the site active again now. One of our admins has organised a live chat from Dec 2nd to Dec 3rd for spectrumites from all over the world catch up and make some new friends. Head over to the website www.spectrumites.com and click on chat to get involved.
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Are there any specific rules for this group?
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Not really any solid rules. Feel free to submit any of your art (there is a non autistic themed art category too) and just be respectful to the other members.
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Just a question how far is too far when antagonizing curbies in pictures
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I think "too far" is probably the point where debate ends and insults begin.
The idea behind satirical pictures is to make a point, even if it's a particularly blunt point - and if the antagonising overshadows the point, then the point is lost.
The best way to think of it is this - Curbies aren't "bad" in and of themselves, they just have a lot to learn...
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I just wanted to let you all know that I was invited to talk on Rosie O'Donnell's satellite radio show via phone about having Asperger's and also maybe even meet her. I don't know when it'll be, when I know I can post it here. It'll probably be next week. The show runs 10am-noon live and replays noon-2pm and I think 8pm-10pm EST
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Thanks for letting us know - I've been trying to find a place to listen to it via internet, but no luck yet...
Any idea when it's going to be yet?
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no I don't. There will be a recap of it at rosieradio.blogspot.com (I think that's the right url), but it would just be a summary. I think on sirius' website they have a link to listen, but you need an account. I can *try* to get a copy but it may only be allowed for personal use, I'll see what I can do.
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Thanks for requesting to add my essay. It is much appreciated.
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You're welcome. I think it is a piece that a lot of people can relate to.
Noticed you've joined (here and at the website) - so welcome aboard.
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Ok i'm done. I aready send it in just to let you know.
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Hi i'm new.
I'm almost done with my story to let you know.
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Sorry for taking so long to reply. I hadn't noticed that we had any new messages.
Anyway, have you finished your story?
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I'm honoured that you have added my drawing to your group!
Thanks!
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My pleasure. I think it's a really important message and I also like how you portrayed it.
Actually, I found your piece because I made a little piece called Vaccinations Save Laves. Here is the link if you're interested - [link]
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I saw your piece and it's really inspiring!
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Don't need to add my pictures as favorites, as I have figured out how to submit them to the group.
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Hey um most of the Aspie groups I find on the internet are all about "We are against a cure!!". Well I just want you to know that not all Aspies feel that way. Not necessarily about a "cure" or whatever; that really doesn't even make sense to have a "cure," but some Aspies do not enjoy being an Aspie because they know it causes fights with other people that they can't think the same way or understand what the other people are thinking. Some Aspies view it as a handicap. But of course I don't really mean that is the way a "professional therapist" would mean that... I don't much like "professional therapists" and the DSM is just wrong all over, and still will be. But it is a handicap in trying to communicate with other people on any level more deeply then, "Hi! Let's play games!," or something.
I don't see any discussion area or anything so I think this is where to put it. It just seems on the internet that EVERYONE has that view. The Aspie group I go to in real life not everyone thinks that as far as I can tell.
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I can understand a frustration with groups that suggest there are never difficulties associated with autism - there obviously are.
That said, the thing most people don't realise about autism cure research is that, considering autism is genetic, the most likely result of the research is pre-natal testing - so the cure debate isn't so much about whether or not people support an actual cure, but whether or not people support the eugenic elimination of autistic people.
The other thing to consider is that allocating funding to cure research takes funding away from needed support services, decreasing the quality of life for those autistic people that need these services.
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Oh I already said there can't be a "cure," at least not for Asperger's Syndrome, I don't know much about autism except that a lot of autistic people "can't" talk (notice "can't" is in quotes). But most of the ones I've seen don't even want to say they have a disability. Even though there are plenty of things about Asperger's that are definitely NOT a disability (being intelligent about being allowed to sit in any position, for example.. ), Asperger's Syndrome most definitely IS a disability, for example, having trouble thinking or being unable at times to have a conversation normally even with someone you like and really want to be having a conversation with....
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The aspies that do want to be cured or further treated usually get pushed out of huge Aspie internet groups like ASAN. Either because they are repelled or driven away by anti-cures. You see Jonathon Mitchell's blog, where he gets really pissed with the anti-cure groups and creates his own discussion amongst other autistics like him.
I personally do not like the idea of a cure, it has always offended me to hear it. But it somebody else wants to be cured, I guess it is not really my business.
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I think it is very rude of them to act that way. They are basically pushing out other people's opinions and making it seem as though all Aspies agree with them. They want to stop funding for autism research and such... why? If some people want to be "fixed"... let them. It does not mean you yourself have to be "fixed". Asperger's Syndrome by itself will not cause you to be place in a mental ward or anything like that, so it is not like they are being forced to see anybody about it. If you truly want to spread awareness of your syndrome you will want to represent all sufferer's point of view (sorry I cant think of a better word even though I tried, even if some people don't feel they are suffering). Myself I think anything that will allow you to get along better with other human beings is good, as long as it doesn't involve something stupid (like sitting on a chair instead of the floor where it's comfortable, or eating with a certian type pf spoon or something - and yes I realize some parents do make their children do this, but it is stupid whether you are an Aspie or not and all children or adults that do it agree), and doesn't involve changing important, idealistic, viewpoints (such as political beliefs or religion), then it is a good thing if you can do something or get something that will make you get along with people better.
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I don't think it is necessarily done on an individual level. For example, ASAN focuses mainly on autistic rights and the social model, so most people in that group are very anti-cure. Rather, they want to change society, which I think is an excellent and more realistic approach. Yet when it comes to the cure, we aspies tend to have really strong, unchangeable opinions much like some people have on vegetarianism. We do not want others to try to convince us to be pro/anti cure, so that is where the battle comes in. And a lot us us do seem to attempt conversion.
I think if a cure is ever made, no parents should be allowed to force it on their children. I was well-established that I did not want to be made normal since I was 9 years old, and since my entire life would be altered by it, parental consent should be out of it. If any kind of treatment is made to help get people out of diapers, head-banging, and nonstop meltdowns, I do not see anything wrong with that. I'm against changing skill-irrelevant aspects, like you have mentioned above, because of their social stigma.
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You know what would be nice? If there was a pill to help treat some of the symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome/autism. Not necessarily a cure. But like ADD meds - they help the person focus (and in some cases, calm down), but they don't take away the person's creativity, or unique perspective (at least, they're not supposed to). It would be nice to have similar pills for Asperger's Syndrome - ones that could help me make conversation more easily with people and reduce some of the sensory stuff. I like my intelligence and my ability to pick up on details and my different way of thinking about things - but it would be nice to be able to deal with people better and to be able to make normal conversation more easily.
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Like I said it seems to be true of ALL online communities I have come across... maybe these dA one's are somewhat of an exception, regardless on some of them the admins still say this as THEIR opinion is ALL Aspies' opinion, even if some of the people in the group disagree with them... but dA isn't really a "community" as in like a message board is, it's just people sharing art with a little bit of discussion thrown in as extra. Or something. The one you mentioned I don't think I've seen. You can have your own opinion and not change it, you should not assume all others have your same opinion just like in politics and other areas where you KNOW some people will disagree... then instead of crusading like everyone agrees, just let each individual human being do whichever they want.... I don't think anyone who was an Aspie at 9 years old, takes a magic pill and now they aren't would be upset about it, because now that they are changed they will not have the opinion that they would have been better off having an awkward social life and very possibly no good friends their whole life... but since something like that COULD not happen it is not an issue. If it could I would maybe discuss it more seriously.
The main problem with the word "cure" is that it doesn't make sense for this problem; it's not a disease and it doesn't make sense to use the word "cure" in relation to it.
Then again, the only ones using the word "cure" are the Aspies in these communities (and their parents)... actual psychologists or whatever are instead looking at "treatment", which is good for those who think it's good... I am not necessarily one of those; actually, I don't believe in pharmaceutical medicine at all. I only believe in finding ways to tell Aspies when they are wrong about something without them flaming the fuck out of whoever is telling them, and in some cases telling NTs to shut the fuck up when they are being stupid about the stuff like I mentioned before, then again if you are around dickheads like that you should really just leave them anyway... so the NT problem will mostly apply to parents of children - um, hopefully.
Of course there are other problems Aspies have like having trouble thinking or being confused, but the best way to not have those problems bother you too much is by having good friends and/or a good partner, and the best way to have and keep good friends and/or a partner is by educating allowing yourself to listen and actually take other people's opinions into account and accept responsibility... see Brain King.
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Hi nyanchan! 
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You're most welcome.
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Hey, this is Alias. If this is meant to be a club-type account, I'd be willing to lend a few poems and maybe an art.
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Hi Alias. I hadn't really thought too much about it, but if you have some spectrum related art or writing, note me and I'll put it up. Presently I've just been adding things to my favourites.
I will mainly be running this account,
Bella
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hey thanks for the fave! Supporting neurodiversity and autistic rights is really important to me.
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No problems. This is a pretty new account, so if you have any ideas feel free to throw them my way.
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My pleasure. I really liked it.
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