Asperger's Conversations

Sports in Colleges

I was chatting with my research assistant today who was concerned about his mounting student loan debt which he feared would delay his ability to attend a Ph.D. graduate program ("How can I go further in to debt for an uncertain future?").  He mentioned hearing that the hockey coach is the highest paid person in the USNH (University System of New Hampshire) and posed this question: "Is it unethical for colleges and universities to have competitive sports team?"  He went on to ask, "Why should so much money go to sports teams when they have nothing to do with education, which is the mission of colleges and universities?" And one more quote: "If a young person wants to be a professional baseball player, let him go and play baseball elsewhere, rather than pass on his training costs to other college students."

In this time of drastic belt tightening on college campuses, these questions are going to become increasingly salient.  Money does seem to be a "zero sum game" and I'm sure that students like my research assistant would rather funds move toward people like himself...who have high academic aspirations, rather than individuals who have non-academic aspirations.

Pic taken at Target yesterday:

When we don't like someone...more on non-content aspects of communication

I was having coffee with a friend and colleague this morning who told me the story of a person he knows that many people "just don't like."  While he said that he "liked him anyway" we tried to dissect what it is that people don't like.  He described a person with "superficially good social skills" in that this guy always greets people with a boisterous "Hi, how are you?" and always exhibits high energy in his (usually brief) social interactions.  

I suggested that, while he has some good social behaviors in his repertoire, that what is missing is "the match" between the way he talks and the way others talk.  He's not tuned in to "other peoples'" rhythm, pitch, vocal intensity.  So, it's not the content of what he is saying or doing (he's got the words right), but he's not "taking in to effect" his conversational partners.

I've talked about this for years in mentioning the importance of what I call "speechmatch" (wow, over 6 years ago now) and even "bodymatch" but it's not just important for Autism, but for all individuals.  We judge (often badly) other people based not so much on "what they say" but rather "how they say it."  So, we can move in one or both of these directions: 1. teach people how to be better at matching (why not?) and 2. be mindful that people who don't match well still might have something important to say (accomodate neurodiversity).  

I say let's not view this as an "either/or" situation, but instead...do both!

Autism, soft neurological signs, born to run

In the book, Born to Run, author Christopher McDougall talks about how the remote Tarahumara Indians of the Copper Canyon in Mexico became expert long distance runners even in to old age.  An important aspect of their running as been taken up by scores of runners today who have switched from cushiony expensive running shoes to more minimalist "coverings" that simulate the barefoot running.  And an important consequence of barefoot or "almost barefoot" running (since now we can purchase expensive minimalist running shoes with little or no support) is a shift from landing hard on our heels, to running more on our toes.  

In the video below, local runner Jon Udell (who also happens to be Microsoft's technology Blogger) talks about his revelation that "running on one's toes" is the key to success (since toes are like springs).  

I was thinking how interesting it is that so many people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD's) naturally walk on their toes, especially when they are young.  When doctors see kids walking on their toes, they refer to it as a "soft neurological sign" or a sign of some unknown brain abnormality.  But the Indians of Copper Canyon run barefoot, on their toes, from the time they are young until they are quite old.  For these folks, toe walking is seen as "advantageous" and not "pathological."

As for me, I've been running on and off with minimalist running shoes for several years and continue to work on "staying on my toes."  It's hard though since I've been so hard-wired and trained (for example, by running shoe companies) to do the opposite.  I wonder, then, if there might be some evolutionary advantage to being oriented toward "staying on one's toes?"  Could the "pathology" in this case, really be the most healthy response?