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What It’s Like to ‘Wake Up’ from Autism After Magnetic Stimulation

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Re: What It’s Like to ‘Wake Up’ from Autism After Magnetic Stimulation

#61

Post by tehwalrus »

Some people have argued [1] that it was not his autism, but his alexithymia which was altered by the TMS. Alexithymia is an orthogonal condition: it can occur with or without autism.

Believing that a "cure" for autism is required is also a rejection of neuro-atypicality as a valid state of being, which is a common form of subconscious Ablism (discrimination against disabled people). That is not to say that no autistic people want to try treatments, simply that we should not forcibly treat all of them (least of all children, which is a line even Robinson himself doesn't argue for crossing.)

[1] https://soniaboue.wordpress.com/2016/04/06/a-shot-in-the-dar...

Re: What It’s Like to ‘Wake Up’ from Autism After Magnetic Stimulation

#62

Post by tgflynn »

sleepychu wrote: post #57
tgflynn wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, I agree with what esr says here but I would add along the same lines that it seems like a necessary condition for success in difficult fields is devoting a great deal of time and energy to that field and the problems one is working on. One of the defining characteristics of autism aside from social difficulties seems to be having narrow intense interests. This seems to match very well what is needed for success,…

(ie. those with what used to be called Asperger's) Has Asperger's been homogenized with Autism? I know asp has always been classed as an ASD but I thought it was still possible to obtain a distinct diagnosis.

The diagnosis of Asperger's was removed in the 2013 fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and people with these symptoms are now included within the autism spectrum disorder along with autism and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome

Re: What It’s Like to ‘Wake Up’ from Autism After Magnetic Stimulation

#63

Post by k__ »

luxpir wrote: post #59

I feel it needs pointing out that the savant-stereotype surrounding autism still needs taming a little. Autism can make the lives of some sufferers extremely difficult, and also those of their carers. We all know this, yet the typical response to 'my child is autistic' is an assumption, often verbalised, that that child would 'at least' be good at mathematics, music or 'computers'. Sometimes they are not. It's simila…

Yes. I knew a few lightly autistic people who also aren't exceptionally good at anything.

Some are better than average programmers or something. But their autism is a greater burden than their increased skills are a help in their life.

It's not that they just sit at home all day, avoiding people and creating awesome stuff en masse. Most of the suffer from their inability to interact socially.

Re: What It’s Like to ‘Wake Up’ from Autism After Magnetic Stimulation

#64

Post by pbhjpbhj »

tehwalrus wrote: post #61

Some people have argued [1] that it was not his autism, but his alexithymia which was altered by the TMS. Alexithymia is an orthogonal condition: it can occur with or without autism. Believing that a "cure" for autism is required is also a rejection of neuro-atypicality as a valid state of being, which is a common form of subconscious Ablism (discrimination against disabled people). That is not to say that no autisti…

>Believing that a "cure" for autism is required is also a rejection of neuro-atypicality as a valid state of being //

Do you mean to say "believing that if a cure is found that it should be forced on people"?

I liken the position to ocular or aural implants (like cochlear ear implants) - I'd say certainly a cure is required [by many people] but once found we shouldn't then force it on people. Which I think is what you're saying too?

Re: What It’s Like to ‘Wake Up’ from Autism After Magnetic Stimulation

#65

Post by tehwalrus »

pbhjpbhj wrote: post #64
tehwalrus wrote: post #61

Some people have argued [1] that it was not his autism, but his alexithymia which was altered by the TMS. Alexithymia is an orthogonal condition: it can occur with or without autism. Believing that a "cure" for autism is required is also a rejection of neuro-atypicality as a valid state of being, which is a common form of subconscious Ablism (discrimination against disabled people). That is not to say that no autisti…

>Believing that a "cure" for autism is required is also a rejection of neuro-atypicality as a valid state of being // Do you mean to say "believing that if a cure is found that it should be forced on people"? I liken the position to ocular or aural implants (like cochlear ear implants) - I'd say certainly a cure is required [by many people] but once found we shouldn't then force it on people. Which I think is what yo…

Apart from using "cure" to describe it, we agree.

Re: What It’s Like to ‘Wake Up’ from Autism After Magnetic Stimulation

#66

Post by no_wave »

luxpir wrote: post #59

I feel it needs pointing out that the savant-stereotype surrounding autism still needs taming a little. Autism can make the lives of some sufferers extremely difficult, and also those of their carers. We all know this, yet the typical response to 'my child is autistic' is an assumption, often verbalised, that that child would 'at least' be good at mathematics, music or 'computers'. Sometimes they are not. It's simila…

I don't think that's really fair. The perception is that raising an autistic kid or being autistic yourself is basically a nightmare and they're trying to find something not depressing to say.

Re: What It’s Like to ‘Wake Up’ from Autism After Magnetic Stimulation

#67

Post by junko »

k__ wrote: post #63
luxpir wrote: post #59

I feel it needs pointing out that the savant-stereotype surrounding autism still needs taming a little. Autism can make the lives of some sufferers extremely difficult, and also those of their carers. We all know this, yet the typical response to 'my child is autistic' is an assumption, often verbalised, that that child would 'at least' be good at mathematics, music or 'computers'. Sometimes they are not. It's simila…

Yes. I knew a few lightly autistic people who also aren't exceptionally good at anything. Some are better than average programmers or something. But their autism is a greater burden than their increased skills are a help in their life. It's not that they just sit at home all day, avoiding people and creating awesome stuff en masse. Most of the suffer from their inability to interact socially.

But that burden can be lightened. I wonder why local groups along the lines of 'Autistic Anonymous' don't exist, or even if they do, aren't widespread enough as there is a significant minority of the population who are autistic. I'm talking about those who are in the 'higher' spectrum of course, though by no means the group should turn into genius club or something. I agree, autistic people can also be average-skilled, but one thing they all have in common is the constant struggle to fit in socially, be it their lack of communication skills or weird personality etc.

I know that having a meet up group for autistic people sound contradictory, but as long as it creates a sense of safeness* where people are free to share their experiences, even if they struggle badly doing so, it would still be incredibly comforting. Sharing stories and tips may or may not be helpful, but at the very least, nobody should feel alone in their struggle.

*e.g. those who are too intimidated to be physically there can listen/communicate via Skype etc. Naturally the group leader would have to be someone with expertise in autism or well-experienced in adjusting to society socially

Re: What It’s Like to ‘Wake Up’ from Autism After Magnetic Stimulation

#68

Post by Houshalter »

wbl wrote: post #42
Joof wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think it would be as intense for a long period of time. He effectively got a new sensory capability and it was all new to him, but he didn't understand how to processes it for a while. It appears to be useful to understand social situations, so it may be worth considering. There's was no mention of the warmth you feel when someone who loves you genuinely smiles at you. It's rare, but a great feeling.

And you'll never experience what it's like to infodump about a special interest to someone who shares it, or the joys of stimming. Oh, and if you're lucky like I am, a reading speed of 1,000-2,500 words per minute easy, and sometimes a lot more. Social situations can be navigated by conscious training, as can emotion recognition and acting sympathetically. My life isn't worse, just different. I meet friends online, i…

Magnetic stimulation isn't going to radically change your entire brain. As I understand it it just changed that one symptom of autism by stimulating a single brain area. As I understand it the treatment is temporary, so it's not like you have to stay that way if you don't like it.

And if I could experiment with inducing autism in myself I totally would. I'm going to research this treatment more because it sounds totally fascinating and I'd love to experiment with it.

Re: What It’s Like to ‘Wake Up’ from Autism After Magnetic Stimulation

#69

Post by cauterized »

proksoup wrote: post #9
philovivero wrote: post #4

I'm glad this guy wrote this up. Now I have no desire to get off the spectrum.

I had a (medication induced) experience similar to the author's, with similar perception of radical changes in the motivations/intentions of my coworkers and friends, but mostly I remember it being like bright light was turned on in a dim room, my new awareness of others emotions changed a lot of my assumptions about their thoughts, the effects lasted a few days. I'd rather be more in tune with reality, if new techno…

May I ask what medication triggered this experience for you?

Re: What It’s Like to ‘Wake Up’ from Autism After Magnetic Stimulation

#70

Post by AlgorithmicTime »

tehwalrus wrote: post #65
pbhjpbhj wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Believing that a "cure" for autism is required is also a rejection of neuro-atypicality as a valid state of being // Do you mean to say "believing that if a cure is found that it should be forced on people"? I liken the position to ocular or aural implants (like cochlear ear implants) - I'd say certainly a cure is required [by many people] but once found we shouldn't then force it on people. Which I think is what yo…

Apart from using "cure" to describe it, we agree.

Well, it is a cure. A cure is something which removes a condition, be that an ear infection or autism.
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