Abnormal @ MindSay

   Autism has always been a primary concern of mine after experiencing what Autism can do to people of all ages during my previous law enforcement career. This is also a very important medical condition that needs immediate attention, exposure and more support from everybody in the world. Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or to play during activities.

   One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.

   Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development."

The five disorders under PDD are:

• Autistic Disorder
• Asperger's Disorder
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
• Rett's Disorder
• PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

   Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria which been outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

Prevalence of Autism

   Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 150 births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2007). Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise.

Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

   Autism knows no racial, ethnic, social boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational levels and can affect any family, and any child. A child or adult will generally act out emotionally when attempting to speak or in watching TV or video programs. Presently there is a world of programs actively working on Autism treatments and cures.

   And although the overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls.

What Parents of Children with Autism have to say ...

http://www.babybumblebee.com/autism.htm?gclid=CLidk-m4xJACFQSOFQoddl0UWQ

I don't really have anything to say today, so I will instead record something I wrote while at school one day. I think it was last week... I should date stuff.

I think I just tell myself I don't like people so that I have an excuse to not deal with them and I have an excuse to isolate myself and to be angry. And I don't want to deal with them, not beacuse I don't like them, but because it is so difficult for me. I really don't dislike anyone, though. I can't honestly even think of anyone I truely don't like. I just isolate myself.

Here I am, sitting on this wall by myself at lunch. I like sitting alone, I like writing, I like that there is a crowd around me and things to occupy my other senses while I sit here writing. The noise of the talking and laughter, the people walking by, the playing around. I like the nergy that buzzes around me . I enjoy siting in the middle of it all while it goes on, but not having to interact. I don't like interacting. It is too demanding. The problem is that this is not "normal". I am expected to interact, and not only that, but to want to, for enjoyment. This makes me resenet people in general because that is what "they" expect of me. And that is why I don't like "them," because I feel like "they" want me to be something that I simply do not have any desiere to be. I just want to sit here. Of course, no one is bothering me about it, but there is still that expectation and I'm not conforming to that and I can feel it. I can feel judgement. But to justify that, to make myself feel better about not wanting to interact, to comfort myself about being different, I blame "them" and turn this irrational resentment and disliking towards people in general.

It is an insecurity. I'm not insecure about being alone. I like being alone. I'm insecure about the fact that my liking being alone makes me different from everyone else, and that some of them perceive it in a bad way. I do sometimes care what people think. They don't know I WANT to be alone. Maybe I should put a sign up saying, "I LIKE SITTING ALONE. DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR ME." I hate that people may pitty me. That's what I'm insecure about. But somehow I'm glad for this insecurity. This feeling of insecurity and caring what my peers think is also expected of me, and I'm playing into it, so that somehow reassures me and I appreciate it. Does that make sense? Are you understanding? Insecurity is normal, I hear...

Then some guy walked up to me and asked me if I smoked weed. A black girl that was standing behind me ran him off. I just laughed.

I have to say, it was nice admiting to myself that I am insecure about something and that I actually do care what people think about me in some respects. It's humbling. I should do it more often... Maybe we all should. Not to beat ourselves up, but to just remind ourselves that we're human. Maybe when you admit those insecurities, balance it out with good stuff, too. Or not. Just be totally honest and don't try to make any excuses or "buts". Of course, I tend to be very hard on myself sometimes... but maybe we need that once in a while.

-Liv-

"I wish our family would stop trying to pretend we're normal." Josh, aged 10.

This was the cover of the card I sent my father. I bought it from a children's advocacy group because I enjoyed the frank authenticity in the child's statement. He must be watching his parents put on quite the act. And yet, when I thought about this a while longer, I wondered if everyone puts on that act.

And I think to some degree, we all do.

I know this couple with the perfect marriage, 2 kids, a dog, a nice house in the burbs, 2 SUV's in the driveway, stay-at-home wife (the new symbol of luxury in the American economy). I always thought they had such a good relationship because they looked alike. Isn't that what happens to a couple truly in love over time? They start to resemble one another? Or is it that they love the same part of themself they can see in the other? I've not yet figured that out...

At any rate, we did a kid's party for our second graders for Valentine's Day. What fun was that! I planned it with the wife of this wonder-couple. After we'd played with the kids and dispensed Valentines, I asked her what they were going to do for the big romance day? She looked at me blankly, and said, "Nothing. We never do anything for Valentine's Day." Then she paused, and thought about that for a second. "Is that bad?" she wondered to me aloud?

Well, I thought quickly, it might not be 'bad' but it does indicate a lot about your marriage and how you're not wooing each other anymore. Lots of people in this world are in love with romance and love, and when that goes, there might not be much else in the marriage to hold them together.

I didn't think this sort of analysis might be helpful at this moment. In fact, I thought it might drop a bombshell on a woman who might not be happy, but at least is still ignorant for the moment that she isn't actually happy. My statement might rip open that fragile ignorance.

So I shrugged and said that everyone is different and does what they feel they want to for Valentine's.

Right then we were both guilty of pretending to be normal. She and her husband project American suburbaland-dreams. For the brief moment when it became apparent that they might not actually be all that fulfilled and happy, she was close to authenticity. I also was close, but I backed away, sensing she might not be ready for an awakening that her life might not be so happy.

I find that people are quite like this - close to authenticity in brief moments, but on the whole, we tend to project images of what we think 'normal' is, and live in that world as though it were real. The more I probe the existence of 'normal' people, the more I discover they are trying very hard to project an image they think will be acceptable, while hiding their real selves somewhere else.

We were always a bit odd growing up, as an English family in the Deep South. We ate funny things, like bacon, eggs, and sausage for dinner Saturday nights. With chips, of course. We didn't go on vacation to Florida. We went to Europe. We drove Mercedes for fuel economy - they were diesels, and not too speedy back in the 70's. My parents swam nude every evening in our pool, horrifying the Catholic neighbors who peered over the fences. We were a little different.

And now at 38, I think different is how I like to be. That was a cool gift my parents gave to us.

I hope my father didn’t think the “Our family should quit trying to pretend it’s normal’ card was too out of bounds. I felt it was very permission-giving to be what and who we are. Children are so naked, and really are who they are without worrying too much about it. Adults, however, have been trained in the fine art of pretending to be anything but. Isn’t that an ironic reversal.... that children, who are so adept at play and imagining, are actually more authentic and grounded in reality than adults, who’ve constructed elaborate fantasy worlds in which they can exist as ‘normal’ people?

The thing is, everyone is walking around showing their 'normal' images, but not necessarily who they really are, when it’s the latter that has far more power and authenticity, in my mind. So, I liked that card because I think, actually, that to be different, and therefore real, is rather attractive.

as seen on misterghoulie 

What Your Underwear Says About You

When you're bad, you're very bad. And when you're good, you're still trouble! You're comfortable in your own skin - and don't care to impress anyone.

In a Past Life...

You Were: A Ditzy Beekeeper. Where You Lived: Russia. How You Died: Consumption.

You Are 64% Abnormal

You are at medium risk for being a psychopath. It is somewhat likely that you have no soul. You are at high risk for having a borderline personality. It is very likely that you are a chaotic mess. You are at medium risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is somewhat likely that you are in love with your own reflection. You are at high risk for having a social phobia. It is very likely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement. You are at medium risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is somewhat likely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.

it's a damn shame i can't be alice....



I had to take this three times to get one that sounded remotely like me. The first two I got were Agent Smith from the matrix and then Freddy Kreuger, but i think this one matches me the best.





SURPRISE SURPRISE, BITCHES!!



I'm disappointed.

 

Your Dating Purity Score: 68%

You are an under-experienced dater. This doesn't mean you're unexperienced - far from it. It just means that there's a lot of romance left to discover!

Your Inner Blood Type is AB!

Your personality is hard to define - you're very unconventional. And even if your personality could be defined, it would be completely different next week! Outgoing and shy, sensitive and thoughtless, you tend to have a very split personality. This makes you unpredictable. You can be a total angel - and a total devil. You are most compatible with: everyone! Famous Type AB's: Jackie Chan and Marilyn Monroe

L got her test results - all negative, she doesn't have cancer.  All the same, I never want to hear the words "abnormal" or "possibly precancerous" ever again.  *shudder*