Asperger's Conversations

Asperger's and Culture: Who Needs to Change?

For some time now, the site Aspergia.com has pushed the culture model of Asperger's in a very provocative way.  By arguing that individuals with spectrum disorders are a unique genetic pool with a unique neurology, they are attempting to "culture-ize" rather than "pathologize" this group.  They welcome group identification as a means of connecting with each other and with their unique characteristics:

"I think it is time we thanked the researchers, theoreticians and professionals who helped identify the phenomena and make it public. The work of Dr Asperger and the follow up by the likes of Wing and Atwood has been pivotal in identifying that there is indeed a group of people who are born with a neurology which is inherently different to that of the general population. This group processes information differently, has a different set of social interactions and a wide variety of uncommon traits such as a high sensitivity to external stimuli."(www.aspergia.com)

I think that Roland Tharp and his colleagues at Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawaii did a much better job of utilizing a cultural model in the 1980's and 90's with their revolutionary approach to adapting educational practices to fit the local Hawaiian culture (rather than forcing the local culture to fit the dominant educational culture and its practices).  Adapting to the smaller, less dominant culture is no easy task...in the case of Tharp's work, it required years of anthropological and psychological study of Hawaiian living and learning practices, and then experimenting with ways to incorporate these cultural "styles" in to workable educational programs.

In today's podcast, I begin to scratch the surface of cultural issues and Asperger's/Autism.  I address the fundamental question of "Who changes?"

Click on the MP3 download below to listen:

Download pr9-10_complete.mp3 (9mins 04secs; 3.11MB)

Research Hawaiian Style

I'm in Hanalei on the north shore of Kauai this week enjoying some respite from New Hampshire's latest snow storm and collecting information for a possible podcast on Hawaiian culture and accomodation for Asperger's/Autism in small communities.  While here I dropped in to talk to staff at KKCR public community radio station based in Princeville.  You have to drive up a back dirt road and wade through some wild chickens to enter what looks like a bomb shelter, but turns out to be a terrific radio facility.  I spoke with Jennifer the station manager who has just done an interesting series called "Talk Story" with a grant from PBS...she's produced a series of interviews with Hawaiian musicians/story tellers that focuses on important elements of Hawaiian culture.  I've been wondering if the concept of "ohana" or family has extended to supports and accomodations for individuals with neurological differences.  I spoke with my friend Kuulei and others and hope to put together a podcast on this subject at a later time.  For now,

A Hui Hou!

Meta Journalism, Media Literacy, Podcasting, and...Autism?

There's been a bit of buzz about the recent NY Times article on Film Studies as "the new MBA."  I agree with the notion that there is a growing connection between influence and media literacy (particularly, digital media literacy).  In today's podcast I talk about several seemingly unrelated events...a grant supported project here at the college where we are developing a podcast site to spotlight music performed by individuals with autism, and a visit by a local reporter from our very own Keene Sentinel who interviewed me about my interests in podcasting (I turned the tables and, in turn, interviewed the reporter about his thoughts on podcasting).  We podcasters are a small group right now (about 2,000 according to March Wired), but we are anything but humble.  We're narrowcasting our programs to audiences that really appreciate what we do...and for now, that's plenty reinforcing.

Click on the MP3 file below to hear this week's Podcast:

Download pr8_complete.mp3 (2.21 MB; 6mins, 41secs)

Asperger's Syndrome and Accomodations in College

The I.E.P. (Individualized Education Plan) mandatated by the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) applies to public school children in the U.S.  Of course, the IEP generation is growing up and continues to seek the accomodations they need to thrive in college as well as graduate and professional schools.  Most colleges and universities are being counseled by "disability attorneys" who urge schools to limit services to a bare minimum in order to avoid setting precedents that they will later regret.  They create a state of fear by reminding college administrators that individuals with disabilities are high liability risks that should be avoided at all costs.  This view from "up top" creates tensions with college disability offices whose staff are working hard with limited resources to provide the services that students need, including note takers, mentors, quiet refuges for test taking, and, most importantly, their time.

In today's podcast I speak with a director of a college disability office, a college student with learning differences who receives services from the college, and, finally, a 3rd grade girl who reflects on her experience in 1st and 2nd grade with a boy with autism.  Click on the MP3 download below to listen in.

Download pr7_complete.mp3 (3.00MB; 8mins45secs)