Summary
In Joyce Davidson’s article Autistic Culture Online, the reader is given a new point of view for the autistic world. Focusing her studies on social and cultural geographies, Davidson used autobiographies from AS people and the Internet to get her information. She is trying to convince the unknowing readers that autism has its own way of life, and is at risk of scrutiny from those who believe autism is strictly a disability. Autistic people have a difficult time with face to face communication because facial expressions, body language, and tone are all confusing aspects to them. People with AS prefer not to have fast paced Neurotypical conversations with interruptions and confusion. Instead, they like to make an entire statement, uninterrupted, without any extra baggage. The Internet has allowed people with AS to have these types of conversations. Chatting and different groups allow different “forms of life”, Wittgenstein’s term for cultural groups that tend to understand, agree, and relate with one another. The Internet allows distance and structure while still being able to have a good conversation. Uninterrupted, delayed responses, and consistency are all things that AS people look for in a strong conversation thanks to their different type of “language game”. These online groups form to gain support, recognition, and organization also. The Internet has “promoted the emergence of new ways f self-identification for autistics” (Singer) and is “a means to develop and maintain social relationships.” (Jones and Meldal) Online groups have challenged the stereotype that autistic people cannot communication and has created the movement for AS. More recently, this online movement has begun to move offline. AS groups are now fighting for autism to be considered its own minority group. People with AS are now being judged for having their own way of communicating, but by becoming a minority group, their ways will be more accepted. The Internet is not a way for those with AS to exclude themselves from the world, but to communicate and create more pride for themselves in their own way.
Inquiry
This article, by far, has been the most interesting one to read so far this semester. Introducing us to a whole new world, Davidson has really opened my eyes. Autism is so much different than a disability. AS people communicate differently just as “normal” people learn in different styles. Autism has found its core in the Internet and should not be looked down upon for finding something that helps them in more than one way. The article mentioned a few different sites that AS groups use. The Second Life group “Brigadoon Explorers” http://world.secondlife.com/group/f5580532-4152-6780-5b27-677c4bc29c91 is a place for those with autism or supporters of the cause to gather, network and play. Another group is Autism Network International http://autreat.com/. This site consists of an online group, information on their mission, and runs the annual Autreat. These and many others are the way autistic people really get to understand themselves and others. The Internet is merely a solution to autistic people’s lack of communication skills, just as we find solutions for our own problems. To learn more about autism, go to http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-117461/Autism?q=autism.
1. If you know someone with autism, does that person use the Internet to communicate or are they in an online autistic group?
2. Do you belong to a gender, race, sexuality, or disability group on the Internet? If so, what do you use this group for?
3. Do you believe AS is a disability or a minority of a personality type?
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Before reading this article I never even thought to think of Autism as anything besides a disability resulting from genetics. However, I can definitely see AS being a minority; their own culture. The fact that so many Autistic people have come to accept themselves the way they are is more than most people in the general population can say. In my opinion, if a group of people associate with one another, have a separate culture, have their own form of communication, and identify as being a minority not disabled then that’s how they should be considered. They deserve all the rights, respect, and acceptance of a cultural minority in the population. The word disability assumes those who are considered disabled cannot function fully, however, it is obvious that Autistic are able to function in society, especially with the proper tools such as the internet. Thus, I would not classify Autistic as disabled after reading this article.
ReplyDeleteAfter listening to Denise on Tuesday, I understand even more about AS. Hearing about both of her children with autism who are on completely opposite spectrums was eye opening. When reading the article I wanted to say autism was a minority, but now that I look at it, it could be considered a minority or a disability. Some people can function almost as a "normal" person, while others cannot really communicate. If I knew someone with autism, maybe I owuld be more opinionated on the subject. But because I am an outsider, I will chose to see it as an either/or situation.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed listening to Denise's discussion and reading Tory's inquiry regarding the Autistic culture online. I guess I never realized the effects new media could have on that minority group, and how the benefits of new media for social causes has become a little transparent. Perhaps an entire population has a voice that they have never experienced before. Online forums, discussion boards and comment pages authored by people affected with autism allows other people the opportunity to understand their world and how they see things. Now more than ever we can value the right to free speech. People can speak their minds regarding these polarizing issues and even if they are faced with criticism, they have at least gotten their word out to the public to consider. We should become more aware of these issues, as according to the alarming statistics, at the rate of occurrence is increasing we will all probably know someone who is affected with autism at some point. New media has made the social and political movement of preserving the rights of those affected by autism possible.
ReplyDeleteAfter Denise came into class to discuss the use of online communities as support groups and a medium for people who are connected to AS in some way, as well as Autism itself I will have to change my opinion of Autism being a minority or a disability. I believe that AS can be a disability, especially in severe cases. However, those on the less severe side of the Autistic Spectrum do not necessarily have to be considered disabled. The individuals with AS deserve the opportunity to choose whether they want to be considered disabled or a minority. The internet offers that opportunity. The individuals can express themselves and their experiences in a way that the rest of the population can clearly understand. The internet provides a type of bridge for communication and a community for people who have often felt excluded. While it is not a perfect medium, it is a step.
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