Metaphors.

[staxxy]

I have been trying for a while to come up with a fairly accurate and workable metaphor for explaining Aspergers Syndrome to most people. I finally did tonight.

It's like computers.

Most people are running Windows OS - all have fairly standard software, so these people are able to communicate with one another fairly easily. (note that there are a few different versions of windows, but they are all still compatible with one another).

People with Aspergers are Running a form of Linux. So each system is custom to the person that has it. And while they *CAN* read Windows documents and run windows software, they need translation software or emulators to do so. Some Linux systems have trouble communicating with others. Each is designed to be really good at specific tasks (more so than any other operating system even, including *other* Linux programs).

Note that both systems are highly functional and useful. Each system is perfectly legitimate. But people who run Linux systems have a harder time relating on most points to people who run windows.

I hope this makes it a little easier for people to comprehend Aspergers as it relates to Neuro Normal types.

Comments

[frogmajick.livejournal.com]

Since this is FO, may I share it with another friend of mine, conuly...check out her lj first before you say yes and if you want me to not say where I got it, that's cool.

BTW, one of the best explanations I've heard.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

thanks, and yeah, please DO share.

I have been looking for a way to explain it clearly for a WHILE and it just gelled for me tonight, in a conversation. :D

Credit would not suck. ;)

actually, I think I will make this post public.

[frogmajick.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I'll totally give you cred, and linkies!

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

\m/ you rock!!

[themercymachine.livejournal.com]

I remember her from previous LJ drama.

In fact I linked to one of them a few days ago

[themercymachine.livejournal.com]

http://www.livejournal.com/users/themercymachine/182032.html?mode=reply

[bittergourd.livejournal.com]

i know you explained this to me before, but this explanation is exactly what i needed to understand Aspergers a lot better. :)

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

I am *SO* glad that this makes is clear!!!

[bluejay23.livejournal.com]

Wonderful analogy. Certainly makes it a bit easier to comprehend the same/differentness of it.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

yay!!

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

I wonder if most people know that Asperger's is a mild form of autism.

To get crazy with the computer analogy, I don't think people with Asperger's are running an OS with pre-emptive multitasking. They have a hard time doing several things at once, but they can often do one thing very well. That, and I/O events can cause the CPU to lock up, i.e. sensory sensitivities. :S

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

I am going to have to go back to the "highly individualized" nature of the Linix OS. I would not say this is true for *all* people with Aspergers. I would say it is true for some. Spydr, for instance, seems happiest if he is multi-tasking. And his CPU only locks up over some I/O events - like being accessed by too many computers over a network. ;)

[themercymachine.livejournal.com]

I wonder if most people know that Asperger's is a mild form of autism.

I don't think most do, which is why I prefer the term High Functioning Autism instead.

[miss-twilight.livejournal.com]

I have Asperger's and I'm very good at multi-tasking (as long as it doesn't involve people talking to me or conversation, unless it is on the computer (ie, IM).)

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

I don't think I knew that you also had aspergers. :)

[miss-twilight.livejournal.com]

yep. very bad socially. especially lately.

[wendolen.livejournal.com]

This makes my ongoing interest in establishing a partitioned system particularly amusing to me. :P

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

hahahahahahahah :)

[rocza.livejournal.com]

Are Mac users the synaesthetics, then? ;)

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

I thought about Mac users in this analogy. I am not really sure who the Mac users are yet. *shrug* I have no analogy for them.

[m-cobweb.livejournal.com]

Curious to know what the ADD analogy might be.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

hmmm... I will have to think on that one. There may not be an accurate analogy for ADD yet.

Still go with the computer analogy

[chessdev.livejournal.com]

In computers there is thing known as multi-threading, where a single process can do several things at once.

With threading and pre-emptive multi-tasking, there is a certain amount of time that the CPU shares with each task, so that everything can get done.

With ADD I would assume that the CPU doesn't always give equal tasks the amount of time they would other wise get -- resulting in hyperactivity in some tasks, sluggishness in other tasks, and overall not being consistent in getting things done.

Re: Still go with the computer analogy

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

ooo that's good! :)

[vebelfetzer.livejournal.com]

Hit the nail on the head. I find ADD to be best explained to people in this way, also. Although I personally use 'replicant vs. human' instead of 'win vs. linux'


I don't think many people know that ADD, Autism, and Asperger's are all in the same vein either, but with a progression of severity from the first to the last.


Thanks for this. It's good to read stuff like this.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

I would switch Asperger's and Autism in that list. Aspies *can* function in society. Autists can't.

But yeah. they are all in the same vein. :)

and no problem. I end up doing a lot of translation of Aspie into NT (neuro-typical) and vice-versa in my life. My boyfriend has Asperger's. :)

Everyone once in a while I try to come up with ways for people to understand him better (along with all the other Aspies I know).

thanks for the compliment. :D I am surprised that you found it in the first place. It is a few months old.

[vebelfetzer.livejournal.com]

You are correct about the list order. That was a typographical error on my part.

Good on you for understanding this about someone who's important to you, and for passing that understanding on. It's so hard to communicate this stuff to NT folks. It's wonderful when they really get it. :)

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

well, to my own credit, I did study Psych for 20 years. So I didn't walk into the situation completely cold. Well, I didn't walk into it really either, he was diagnosed 4 years into our relationship.

I am just proud of him that he ADMITS it now. He is no longer *ashamed* of having Asperger's. It's not something *anyone* should be ashamed of. It's just part of who they are. Like having ADD. Or even like having CFS/FM. It's just something that changes how you deal with every day life a bit from a perfectly normal person.

I have this goal in my life of making it easier for everyone I know to understand each other. It's a lofty goal, but not impossible if I go one person at a time. :D