Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: ebzZzZ on 07/01/2004 17:55:00

Title: Option for Autism?
Post by: ebzZzZ on 07/01/2004 17:55:00

well that big long bit of writing was what i base my
thoughts upon. this is an option i'd thought up for
Autism.

Autism

Because of low connection with the environment, physical and social, and/or certain brain functions affected. Plus low fear because of lack of connection with the environment and the caring circumstances they are usually brought up in.

The spare processing power available due to withdrawal/lack of connection with the environment tries to find the best ways to get it’s needs met,

eg. “If they (self), can do something to get feed back from the environment, and gets feed back, they're going to develop that skill/connection to try and get maximum feedback to exist in it”.

That’s why they can become super intelligent/genius at the things they can do, adaption.

People think because we have physical limits we have mental limits. we just limit our self’s by believing we can’t.

Autism a malfunction of perception/interface with our environment through what ever brain malfunction they may have. The amazing skills are just an adaptation the their environment/perception as they see it. Autistic people must have and amazing drive to want to connect with their environment, it’s this drive that produces the skills they achieve.

So it’s maybe our environment that limits us, and not our actual mental ability?

ebz

Title: Re: Option for Autism?
Post by: Ylide on 07/01/2004 20:29:02

It's interesting to note that when savants get treated for their autism, they lose whatever skill they excelled at as their autism improves.  It's almost as if the lack of exposure to the external environment is what allows them such amazing talents, so you may be onto something.





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Title: Re: Option for Autism?
Post by: Donnah on 07/01/2004 21:41:22

Perhaps savants are merely capable of intense focus, and when the focus is diluted so is the skill.

Title: Re: Option for Autism?
Post by: chris on 08/01/2004 10:51:21

I'm not sure what you mean by "treated for autism" because that (unfortunately) cannot be done.

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

Title: Re: Option for Autism?
Post by: Ylide on 10/01/2004 09:13:20

There have been cases where psychotherapy and medication have brought mildly autistic patients slighty out of their condition.  (very few cases, if I recall)  In each of those cases where savantism was present, the savant skills was hindered in the treatment.  Don't make me find the source, it was so long ago i saw it.  =/

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Title: Re: Option for Autism?
Post by: chris on 22/01/2004 15:56:34

Simon Baron-Cohen, who appeared as the guest on Naked Scientists last weekend and at a Naked Science Cafe event on Monday of this week (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/nakedscience), has put together a very nice overview of autism and his research in relation to this issue. See http://www.thenakedscientists.com/autism

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

Title: Re: Option for Autism?
Post by: bezoar on 22/01/2004 21:52:20

Oliver Saaks wrote a book about savants, and I believe in his book, when the savants became normal they lost their outstanding abilities too.

Title: Re: Option for Autism?
Post by: pencilhead on 17/02/2004 09:37:17

what is Autism?