Autism: Experiment reveals scientists and engineers are more

[cronus]

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style ... 19956.html

Autism: Experiment reveals scientists and engineers are more likely to have autistic traits

People working in science and engineering jobs are more likely to have autistic-like traits than less technical professions according to a nationwide experiment involving nearly half a million members of the public – which also confirmed that men tend to be more autistic than women.

The experiment invited the public to complete an online questionnaire scientifically designed to assess a person’s autistic tendencies with 50 statements such as “I am fascinated by numbers”, “new situations make me anxious” and “I find it hard to make new friends”.

The questionnaire, called the autistic spectrum quotient, was developed by scientists at Cambridge University led by Professor Simon Baron-Cohen as a way a quickly assessing where someone is likely to fall on the spectrum of traits associated with the childhood developmental condition.

(continued, science is like Guinness - you can pretend it is fair or lose points making it appear so, still got more 'more' than a lager or a spirit....it's a logical man's game...)

[Jason]

I don't mean to be insensitive, but isn't everyone autistic nowadays?

[cronus]

I don't mean to be insensitive, but isn't everyone autistic nowadays?

No, most are anal. Very similar to autism except for the ability to answer crosswords.

[Trinity]

There is a new book out called "Neurotribes" by Steve Silberman which (as well as many other things!) suggests that more people are diagnosed with autism now simply because there are more thorough and exact testing methods to diagnose so it's not that autism has become 'fashionable" or endemic, it has existed for a long time.
I have a vested interest in this as one of my family members is autistic and through them, I know others. It is a fascinating and complex issue and I don't use the words 'disorder' or 'syndrome' because those who I know who have autistic traits are incredible people, with skills, abilities, insights and perceptions which humble me.

[cronus]

Autism is a spectrum, high functioning autistics - popular in the movies, are only half the story. Saying that my son like's trains and is autistic. Very bright now, was completely out of whack until the quacks put him on Ritalin....long story....my hair is grey, wasn't at the start.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

There is a new book out called "Neurotribes" by Steve Silberman which (as well as many other things!) suggests that more people are diagnosed with autism now simply because there are more thorough and exact testing methods to diagnose so it's not that autism has become 'fashionable" or endemic, it has existed for a long time.
I have a vested interest in this as one of my family members is autistic and through them, I know others. It is a fascinating and complex issue and I don't use the words 'disorder' or 'syndrome' because those who I know who have autistic traits are incredible people, with skills, abilities, insights and perceptions which humble me.

Aspies rock.

[Tero]

Rats. Not quite:
You scored slightly higher than average on this test, but are still below the threshold of 32 points that would likely indicate an autistic spectrum disorder.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Rats. Not quite:
You scored slightly higher than average on this test, but are still below the threshold of 32 points that would likely indicate an autistic spectrum disorder.

I got 39. That means I'm bonkers.

[JimC]

I have taught a few lads on the spectrum. Some will do very well in life, I suspect, particularly if they find a pathway that makes best use of their strengths, and does not demand too much of their people skills...

[Tero]

Exi, it was the numbers. I'm not fascinated by numbers, you probably are. My thing is keeping track of objects. Not too much moving. Still is best. No video games.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Exi, it was the numbers. I'm not fascinated by numbers, you probably are. My thing is keeping track of objects. Not too much moving. Still is best. No video games.

Why do you think I know so many plant names? I can give common and scientific name of almost any vascular plant I find growing in the UK. (There are a few that I never seem to remember for some reason - and I'm shit at trees and shrubs!) I can often hazard a guess to family or genus level for foreign ones.

I used to have an eidetic memory for numbers. Until the age of 24ish I NEVER had to write down a phone number - I just remembered them - same with appointments - didn't own a diary. Then, pretty much overnight, I couldn't do it anymore! I guess I filled up that part of my brain. Getting used to writing things down and keeping track of shit took me years to master after that.

I'm a weird fucker.

[Jason]

I liked the question about finding patterns.

[Tero]

Well, numbers are a bit too abstract. Molecules were always more real to me. Sticks and balls.

I'm training some beginning birders. They learn to memorize parts of birds. When asked to draw what they saw they will put parts of different birds together.

[Jason]

Well, numbers are a bit too abstract. Molecules were always more real to me. Sticks and balls.

I'm training some beginning birders. They learn to memorize parts of birds. When asked to draw what they saw they will put parts of different birds together.

That's brilliant.

[Jason]

A similar exercise I like to do sometimes is rearranging words in sentences or paragraphs (inserting words as needed) to make them read the opposite of what they really do while I'm reading them for the first time. It's sort of like working with grammatical equations. Though I've come to learn that a lot of people think it's dangerous to play games with 'reality' in this way, I think it's safe enough if you remember where and who you are at all times.