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The science of understanding Aspergers and the related Autism gene set is a complex area of developmental and evolutionary science which is advancing every day. As best it is understood today, the gene set is a multigenerational evolutionary branch in the human genome which gives individuals differentials in their abilities some of which are great gifts and some of which create significant challenges. The gene set appears to follow though lineages back to the beginning of recorded history and pieces of the set appear to exist in almost all lineages. Many individual have a small number of the characteristics of the gene set, but are able to adapt to this limited challenge by adapting for these "quirks" and often benefit from the "gifts" that are part of the gene set. When an individual has a major portion of the gene set the differential abilities it often rises to the level of a disability when tying to interface with typical societal structures and expectations. Individuals with below average intelligence and who have other cognitive and developmental challenges the presentation is that of classic Autism. For individuals with above average intelligence the presentation is that of Aspergers or as a Aspie (sub clinical) depending on how much the individual is able to self adapt and mimic intellectually the skills and abilities which are expected by typical society.
There are 3 major areas which present differentials with the Autism gene set. Lack of innate social skills is typically the most prominent feature. The general population (neurotypicals NT) have a major portion of the brain genetically dedicated to the process of learning, reading and interacting within the complex and often unfamiliar social contexts that have developed as part of Homosapien society, these areas and processes do not exist in individual with Apsergers and abilities(skills) in these area have to learned and practiced intellectually. It is very difficult for nuerotypcial individuals to perceive and accept this difference since by their genetics this an unconscious developmental process which they assume all individual have. Even for those who are Aspergers or Aspies with highly developed intellectual innate social skills mimicking abilities, a large amount of intellectual effort must be expended in unfamiliar social situation which can lead to exhaustion and anxiety.
The second areas is sensory differentials. These can be both heightened or depressed sensory sensitivities. For those with heightened senses the overload can case serious chronic sensory overload and the associated damaging anxiety and atypical reactions. For some these heightened sensory capabilities when understood and managed can be gifts such as exceptional perception and differentiation in the area of sight, tone, touch, smell, taste as well as combined perceptual abilities. While there is some self adaption for this area, primarily accommodations to lessen the impact of the sensory overload are the most common adaptive methodology to function in typical society.
The third and least understood is the area of (EF) Executive Function, which in the simplest terms is the way the brain takes in, processes, organizes, creates new ideas and outputs information to the world. For NT society and structure this is done by means of linear processing where information is perceived, discriminated (a decisions made as to what is important and what can be discarded), linearly organized based on prior experience and bias and new ideas are created from this subset of organized information and are outputted based on social acceptability and standards. For individuals who are Apergers or Aspies the process is completely different and actually has similarities to the way the NTs process social information. Information is taken in non linear format (the simplest version is visual) and stored on mass without discrimination, and new ideas are likewise developed without linear process (often when asked how an answer was arrive at the description of "I just knew it" is used). Output is often without social filtering which occurs with NT communication. There is a level of linear process that exists, but the non linear methodology often takes precedent so enhancing the linear skill in needed to function in structures which are predicated on linear process such as school and most work. Also adapting the environment to a more non linear format is beneficial. This different EF ability is the great gift of individuals with Autism genetic as it is now understood that the vast majority of creative advancement that have allowed civilization to progress have come from these individuals.
This is just a basic overview of a very complex science. For more information on Aspergers reading the primary text by Tony Attwood "The complete guide to Aspergers" will provide the next level of knowledge about the typical presentations (although every individual is unique) and Genius Genes by Michael Fitzgerald and Brendan O'Brian provides a view of the contributions of the gentics. Both are available on
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