Next Generation of Rain Men?

Stephen Marche in today's National Post follows a trend of spotting Asperger's Syndrome in popular culture, though with a twist:

These various portrayals of Asperger’s on television naturally have nothing to do with any increased sensitivity toward the incredibly complicated reality of Asperger’s or other spectrum autism disorders. These characters feed a great hunger within pop culture at large for characters with an asocial attitude toward society.

The twist is the Marche proposes that "aspies" are "mechanistic."

When Britta (Gillian Jacobs) and Jeff (Joel McHale) are fighting, Abed provides the explanation for why they must stop: “To be blunt, Jeff and Britta is no Ross and Rachel. Your sexual tension and lack of chemistry are putting us all on edge, which is why, ironically, and hear this on every level, you’re keeping us from being Friends.” It’s that “on every level” which is so perfect; Abed’s inability to process the world except through the mechanistic formulae of sitcoms is what gives him insight rather than prevents it.

And mechanistic, in his view, is insightful, given "our new society — the one being generated by Facebook, by the Internet in all its speed and power — is essentially mechanistic." He concludes: "The reason we want to see Sheldon and Abed and the rest is that the whole world is going their way."

Which I guess would be great for folks with NLD, if it were true. If the world is mechanistic, and those with Asperger's/NLD are mechanistic, then their engagement with the world will become easier. Right?

Wrong.

First, because there is no "their way." Which Marche acknowledged earlier: the incredibly complicated reality of Asperger's. Not all folks with Asperger's are alike. In fact, diversity is a characteristic.

Second, the world of social media is actually a mindfield for folks with social disabilities. Facebook is not mechanistic. It amplifies existing human interactions and the pressures of networks and linking with peers. The skills to deal with these pressures are problematic for those on the austic spectrum.

Third, because the hope for Asperger's/NLD folks isn't in the world becoming more mechanistic (nor are the "neurologically normal" becoming more Asperger's-like due to technology).

The hope is in, well. See below.




p.s. I did agree with one implication Marche implied. That Asperger's folks can sometimes see reality better than others. My NLD-step-son is a great truth teller. Which is a great gift, if sometimes awkward.