Friday, March 02, 2007
Spirituality in Asperger Syndrome
Dear Darren,
I have just finished reading the autobiography of a wonderful man whom I believe has Asperger Syndrome, although he never guessed it. His life was plagued with loneliness but he eventually did extremely well in his career after a slow and difficult start. The reason no one ever guessed he probably has Asperger Syndrome is that he is a gentle, spiritual, feeling, and compassionate man.
And that is the paradox I want you to think about. This world assumes, incorrectly, that people with Asperger have impaired feelings. That’s a misunderstanding. People with Asperger have an impaired ability to recognize and understand other people’s feelings. It is an interpersonal communication disorder, not a lack of ability to experience emotion.
You have to deliberately think about how other people are feeling in order to understand what they are feeling. You have to deliberately pay attention to body language and tone of voice that you may otherwise overlook, in both yourself and others. That does not mean that you are inherently cold or lack feeling or lack compassion.
In fact, you, Darren, are a highly spiritual, philosophical, emotional, and deep person. I have rarely encountered someone as emotionally sensitive as you, particularly at your age. Do not ignore that side of yourself. Do not buy into this world’s misunderstanding of Asperger Syndrome and squelch that side of yourself. It is part of your light for this world.
Love,
Mom
I have just finished reading the autobiography of a wonderful man whom I believe has Asperger Syndrome, although he never guessed it. His life was plagued with loneliness but he eventually did extremely well in his career after a slow and difficult start. The reason no one ever guessed he probably has Asperger Syndrome is that he is a gentle, spiritual, feeling, and compassionate man.
And that is the paradox I want you to think about. This world assumes, incorrectly, that people with Asperger have impaired feelings. That’s a misunderstanding. People with Asperger have an impaired ability to recognize and understand other people’s feelings. It is an interpersonal communication disorder, not a lack of ability to experience emotion.
You have to deliberately think about how other people are feeling in order to understand what they are feeling. You have to deliberately pay attention to body language and tone of voice that you may otherwise overlook, in both yourself and others. That does not mean that you are inherently cold or lack feeling or lack compassion.
In fact, you, Darren, are a highly spiritual, philosophical, emotional, and deep person. I have rarely encountered someone as emotionally sensitive as you, particularly at your age. Do not ignore that side of yourself. Do not buy into this world’s misunderstanding of Asperger Syndrome and squelch that side of yourself. It is part of your light for this world.
Love,
Mom
