Storytime With FAAAS

In reading various discussions of FAAAS on the Internet, I have seen several people try to defend the organization. The following post is an attempt to refute these FAAAS apologists, using the very simple technique of quoting things which FAAAS people have said. I am not yet inspired to write my own poetry, not feeling very inclined towards writing poetry, even bad poetry. So instead I'll give my readers a few snippets of FAAAS' "brilliance." These quotes are from the book Asperger's and Adults...Is Anyone Listening?, edited by Karen Rodman and with an introduction from none other than Tony Attwood. (Note: The link to the Amazon.com page for this book is not an endorsement). I am fortunate enough to have access to an excellent university library system, which allows me electronic access to many titles published by Jessica Kingsley. Fortunately, this means I can read through Rodman's book without having to pay for it myself.

So, here are a few choice quotes from Asperger's and Adults. I think these words do a nice job refuting FAAAS' own recent assertion that it is not a hate group. Please note that these are just a small sample of possible excerpts. Were I to record every anti-autistic statement made in this work, I would end up having to copy practically the entire text. I hope this entry will be useful to those trying to explain to skeptics why FAAAS is, in fact, a hate group.

His or her inability to respond to you emotionally robs you of your self-esteem, friends, family, confidence in yourself and your confidence in others. It steals a “normal life” away from “normal” people. Those born with the affliction of Asperger’s Syndrome survive at the emotional and psychological expense of others. Of course, this is not done consciously on their part! (42)

Short version: Autistic people are (unintentional) parasites.

Like an object,
I was chosen by you.
Like a leech you clung,
I hadn’t a clue. (47)

Again with the parasites.

Oh, unless [the author's son] had a fever of 105. Then he was so normal it was scary. He was concerned about others, empathetic, kind, understanding, gentle. Very strange – one doctor suggested that since neurotransmitters react in an enzyme environment, and since enzymes are heat sensitive, this phenomenon should be researched. My sister suggested we just put C’s head in a microwave and see what happens! We have learned to laugh about a lot of things. (53)

How hilarious. Tell me again who's supposed to be abusive here.

And he revealed to me for the first time that he was a cross-dresser. In trying to work out our relationship in view of this, his inability to understand someone else’s feelings is shown most dramatically. He told me that he can’t understand why this would be such a big deal for me. (68)

Being anti-autistic with a side of homophobia and gender policing.

Our lives are incompatible
Trying to find some way to manage our relationship has made me ill
I do not have the energy or stamina to continue trying
Neither do I have any desire to try
You have beaten me
Congratulations (83)

And FAAAS tries to claim that they don't ascribe malintentions to the autistic partner?

I just want to sit down and cry.
O I know I should stop being so negative.
Besides, I should be used to it, I’m a universal donor.
Everyone wants my blood. (155)
(From piece entitled "O Negative.)

And again with the blood-sucking metaphors. Asperger's/Autism: It's like vampirism, in a way.

I could go on with more excerpts from this whiny, self-pitying book, but I won't. I do find it interesting, however, that from my observations, so many of the contributors to this collection have partners who are not formally diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition. Now, I happen to believe that self-identification is valid, but there seems to me a double-standard at work. How much credibility would a collection of writings by self-diagnosed autistic people be given?

Like I said earlier, I'm not up to writing poetry. But--after subjecting my readers to so much crappy poetry--I'll provide a bit of poetry that's both good and aspie-esque:

Such was that happy garden-state,
While man there walked without a mate :
After a place so pure and sweet,
What other help could yet be meet!
But 'twas beyond a mortal's share
To wander solitary there :
Two paradises 'twere in one
To live in Paradise alone.
--Andrew Marvell, "The Garden"

There, that should help cleanse all of our palletes after reading some of the worst poetry I've ever had the misfortune to read. And somehow I think that many of the partners and children of the FAAAS writers can relate to this state of mind.