My Theory on Autism
I think we are all two people. The dominant side and the non-dominant side. Normally, these two sides work together to manifest externally as a composite of both.
I believe Autism is the partial or complete reversal of this.
We all have some personal experience of using both sides simultaneously. For example, when reading a book, sometimes my mind will wonder while I'm reading. Maybe you've noticed this yourself. I have found three situations. The first situation is ideal. The other two are a bit annoying.
- (typical) - I am able to read the paragraph while simultaneously imagining the scenario described by the paragraph.
- (occasionally) - I am able to read the paragraph, but completely unable to assimilate the information because I am also thinking about something else.
- (atypical) - I am able to read the paragraph, assimilate the information, while simultaneously thinking about something else entirely.
In all three situations, I could describe it as "Something in the back of my head." My dominant cognitive process is "in front" and my less dominant cognitive process is "in back."
My dominant cognitive process is analytical. My non-dominant cognitive process is more intuitive. They work together, most of the time.
My Autism Theory: It's Partially or Completely Reversed
So imagine, everything you do is completely intuitive, and in the back of your mind, that's where your analytical side is. That's my guess as to the inner state of someone with severe autism.
Imagine getting through life with your intuitive side being dominant. Normally, it's a passenger, giving you hints here and there. But in this case, it's front-and-center.
I believe it extends the time it takes to learn something when you can only use an intuitive thought process. At least, it does outwardly. It is likely that the learning process becomes complicated and appears hindered.
In reality, it's the normal time for intuitive thought to grasp an idea. But in this case, since it's the dominant aspect of the personality, this normally hidden delay seems obvious.
Also, imagine the frustration that the non-dominant, analytical side experiences. Typically, it takes command, but here, it's the passenger. The analytical side is probably saying to itself, "Yeah, I get this, why can't I just do it? Come on!"
I think this also explains non-verbal autism. When the roles aren't reversed, the analytical side is in charge of speech. The intuitive side can be mute. But in the case of severe autism, the analytical side has to do all of the talking.
I know not everyone with autism manifests this way. That's why it's described as a spectrum. But in the case of severe autism, I think this holds up.
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upvote - interesting theory. Any thoughts on the "increase" in the autism spectrum? There are a lot of ideas that it is environmental (vaccines, pesticides, GMO's) but I am wondering how much of the "increase" is due to awareness of autism and the treatment of the spectrum. Looking back on my school days I am certain there were kids that fell in the spectrum who were not diagnosed as autistic. My only other idea beyond environment and awareness is evolution in that the mind could be reprogramming to suit a future state.
Yeah, I think past undiagnosed cases account for most of the present "increase."
As for blaming vaccines, I think it will eventually fall away once we have a better understanding. We'll look back and say, "How could we have ever thought vaccines caused autism??" But for the time being, I guess we need our scapegoat.
I think there could be something in this. Normally we function using a sort of balance between the left brain (analysis) and the right brain (intuition).
Whilst those with autism perhaps overuse the left brain have you ever wondered what happens when the right brain takes control? I think this could be very closely linked to various schizophrenia disorders.
I'm left handed, creative and very right brain dominant. 'Normal' people can seem almost robotic to me and I know that if I don't censor myself I can sound very 'far out' to normies. With a new subject I learn slowly at first as I have to consciously engage my analysis, but once I get past a certain level at something I improve very rapidly. It's almost like my brain starts doing the work for me. This is contrary to the normal learning curve.
If you're interested in the right brain a good book is Gladwell's 'Blink' in which he looks at how top experts in different areas are often those who have bypassed the analytical and been able to fully engage their intuition. When used with control this can grant almost superhuman insight.
How about the increased number of vaccines given to babies in recent years and the increasing highly processed foods that would be considered cruel if you fed to primates in the zoo.
@inertia great post!
I like the video you shared specially the song in it.
Let's just accept them indeed, here, they are treated as normal, given the training and education as normal, even given a chance to have a job.
EDIT : except for the vaccine part hmmm