Autism recovery story

[Wolfgangus Faldestolius]

... No one has refuted the accuracy of his recovery stories and I can confirm based on my own experience that he understood autism very well, much better than the so-called experts understand it today.

1

...What I'm saying is that stress caused by a person's beliefs can impair their thinking and make it difficult to understand people, interpret things too literally, and cause them to have difficulty reading emotions.

2

1. I think you won't get us interested, unless you show the relevance of this information to your own case. Otherwise you will strike us as an axe grinder out to undermine some of us. I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm saying you haven't, yet.

In our case, some light on our lives is scattered across numerous threads. Most of us have a continuing journey, much of it still ahead of us (like all human beings).

What else have you read? Numerous autistic authors are vividly informative. I personally regard them as the experts, which I don't preface with "so called".

2. This goes for all the many NTs who took for granted they didn't have to put any effort into responsible living and cut corners.

Your posts come over as if you are belittling our heroic everyday achievements in continually improving our adaptations.

 

[Wolfgangus Faldestolius]

... When I say recover from autism, I'm referring to living in one's own world, social withdraw, and social awkwardness which may be due to depression, anxiety, and PTSD that started when a person was a baby. ...

What you've actually recovered from, is some of your former bad adaptations, and not others.

 

[Wolfgangus Faldestolius]

1. "poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication" ... I still have #1. ...

If you post, it's better to plan it - or else start three separate threads.

My "diagnosis" was at age 42 among educationalists (mainly workplace associated), not doctors. They took what history I could tell them. They pointed me towards continuing adaptations as well as those I read about of my own initiative. I suspected I have ASC from Donna Williams' writings (which I suddenly came across after "healing prayers" at a camp), despite me & her evidently having been like chalk and cheese in earlier years.

I survived till then - in alternating near terror and near oblivion - by "benign neglect", during the hippie years (in difficult studies) and the boom years (in a job), with some worries to my parents & others!

 

[Mia]

I still have #1. I don't have #2 anymore. I used to suffer extreme distress at small changes but now small changes don't cause me any distress. I'd say that proves at least some of the symptoms used to diagnose autism aren't genetic.

You can learn things, there's no doubt about that. Changes in behaviour are difficult and hard to accomplish. I think it's good that you've worked so hard to change those things. But they are behavioural changes, your genetic inheritance has not altered. Keep in mind that although your difficulties in dealing with the everyday world have eased. You cannot change the genetic component of autism.

 

[Tom]

The basis of autism is genetic and there is no gene changing process.

 

[Thinx]

I think it's very well known and has often been discussed here, that therapy can help people with high autistic traits or autism. The issue is the word 'recovery', which isn't appropriate but which seems important to the OP. He's joined today without introducing himself, and seems very attached to the idea of recovery, for some reason.

Not to mention Bettleheim, who was often violent and sometimes sexually inappropriate to clients. His work was based on very little appropriate training. As someone's already said, mostly he wasn't working with people with autism anyway. He was personally charismatic but he wasn't qualified to have charge of vulnerable clients.

A responsible or ethical person would have studied for a qualification, which he chose not to do and lied instead. He made a good living out of it, and although he helped some clients, others remember him with fear and distress. Even those who think he helped them agree he hit and hurt clients.

 

[Au Naturel]

Nobody recovers from autism any more than they "recover" from having pale skin.

You can learn to compensate, to use your strength, and sidestep your weakness. You can learn rules and algorithms to compensate for your missing instincts. You can learn new ways of looking at life that makes autism less painful. One can learn to overcome instinct and a natural reaction can disappear if it is counterproductive. If you are very very lucky you may find someone who doesn't mind the autistic behavior and looks beyond it.

And who is to say that the mellowing of traits with age is not a natural part of autism? Some say the brain isn't fully developed until the mid-20s. Since the brain always retains some plasticity, there is an unknown degree to which learning can compensate for a natural deficiency.

Autism is heavily genetic. That doesn't mean there can't be epigenetic influences or that the uterine environment has no impact. It just means that the only link we have proven is the genetic one and it is a pretty substantial connection. About 60% of autism risk appears genetic with the remainder of unknown origin.

I don't think there is any evidence of autism developing from postpartum influences. The traits can be detected in infancy if you know what to look for. That's too early for psychology to have had much influence. Psychologists used to blame it all on "frigid mothers" who didn't hold and look at their children enough. Today we know that's nonsense.

 

[Au Naturel]

It does appear that there are consistent structural differences between autistic brains and more neurotypical ones. And it also appears the structural differences diminish with age.

Autism brains show widespread alterations in structure

Any genetic disorder strong enough to adversely affect reproduction should be very rare, whether it reduces the ability to gain mates upon maturity or reduces the ability to reach maturity. Because it appears everywhere, we can surmise it developed early in our evolution in Africa. I don't think there's much doubt that profound levels of autism would inhibit reproduction relative to the rest of the population. Since deleterious genes are efficiently eliminated, the question arises of why it would be so common.

Autism is not the only genetic condition that would tend to inhibit reproduction yet impacts a large population. Sickle cell anemia is another. People who have a full dose of sickle cell genes die young. However, people who have a half dose of the gene don't suffer unless they travel to high elevations. What they gain from the gene is superior resistance to malaria. A million people die from malaria a year in sub-Saharan Africa. The gene remains in the population where it evolved because of its benefits and despite its risks.

This is called balanced polymorphism:

A system of genes in which two alleles are maintained in stable equilibrium because the heterozygote is more fit than either of the homozygotes.​

Most autism is not so simple as two alleles of a gene. (There are indeed a couple of very rare genes that appear to set off the condition all by themselves.) Just like there are several genes that contribute to how tall you grow, there are likely multiple genes or gene complexes directly responsible for most autism. Still, the same principle applies. It may well be that some of the traits of autism in low doses enhance the genetic fitness of a person (or their close kin) and this outweighs the disadvantages of getting a heavy dose of the genes.

Certainly, the tribe that reliably produced a few high functioning autists ("Aspies") could benefit from the positive traits many such people exhibit. They could be responsible for everything from taming fire to the creation of language, stellar navigation, and metalurgy. Human civilization itself may not exist except for those autism genes.

 

[Au Naturel]

DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - pick your favorite edition) does not "define" any condition. It describes symptoms that cluster together that result from a condition and suggests if the symptoms are serious enough to be treated. Almost every condition described in the DSM has a caveat that the symptoms have to interfere with living a normal life.

A list of the symptoms of measles is not measles. Measles is an infection by the measles virus. A doctor looks at the list and if you have, say 6 out of 10 symptoms, you might have measles. If it goes to 8 out of ten you almost certainly have measles. Until the electron microscope was developed, we'd never seen the culprit. Causality was pure speculation.

It is possible to have the disease and not ever show symptoms. (COVID-19 for example.) The symptoms are not the disease any more than a map is a road.

Mental health conditions are diagnosed with clusters of related symptoms (a "syndrome") but we often don't have a clue as to what caused those symptoms. Why is one guy affected with Touret's and another with OCD and yet another with Antisocial Disorder? We just don't know. We've been left with speculation and prejudice to guide us. Actual science has not been applied to them until recently because we simply didn't have the tools. And because the mental health professions had been loath to apply the same techniques as would be applied in the "hard sciences."

 

[grommet]

My purpose was to explain that it's possible to recover from autism using CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) ...

No, it is not.

 

[grommet]

In an argument, it's important to recognize the difference between people arguing a position and spectators.

The person arguing a certain position can sometimes be too emotionally invested in the position to change their mind. In the most extreme cases, they view opposition to their opinion as a personal attack on their very identity. In this case, no amount of reasoning or scientific evidence will change their mind. In fact, any resistance will often cause them to strengthen their view point - they dig deeper and double down on it.

When dealing with someone like that, the only constructive purpose the argument can serve is not to "win" the argument, but to inform the spectators. Since silence is often misconstrued as assent, others reading or viewing the discussion need to see that the wrong position does not go unopposed.



I believe you are emotionally vested in your opinion. I say this because you joined an Autism forum, posted that you have "recovered" are are no longer autistic, asked for input, and are now arguing with every opposing viewpoint. You may not "feel rejected" anymore, but you are still actively seeking validation.

I have stated my opposition to your viewpoint for the purpose of others reading this thread, and will let that stand.

This was beautifully written and it was a joy to read. Thank you very much.

 

[Aspychata]

The only cure to what l have is to have never been born. ☺

 

[Matthias]

It does appear that there are consistent structural differences between autistic brains and more neurotypical ones. And it also appears the structural differences diminish with age.

The same structural differences are found in people with depression and anxiety, two psychological disorders that studies have found can be completely cured using CBT.

Study reveals what depression, anxiety look like in the brain

 

[Matthias]

No, it is not.

I met the criteria for autism. Then one day after using CBT, I could suddenly think clearly and understand people. I looked at the DSM-V and found I no longer had any symptoms of autism.

 

[Wolfgangus Faldestolius]

I met the criteria for autism. Then one day after using CBT, I could suddenly think clearly and understand people. I looked at the DSM-V and found I no longer had any symptoms of autism.

Maybe DSM isn't a good enough guide for continuing adaptation for living. We thought we were being wrongfooted by the mention of Bettelheim and we are conscious of our insights and the insights of our fellows who have written books and web sites from personal experience, whom we regard as experts (along with ourselves & each other). You have the welcoming prospect before you, of gaining proficiency in understanding how we who are in the same boat as you, are thinking, and benefitting from our experience.

Most of us are vividly aware of sensory sensitivity and initiative taking (intensity) issues. And developing our many gifts.

I'll grant you recovery is relative. I prefer the phrase recovery in rather than recovery from.

 

[Aspychata]

A lot of times they photosnap (for lack of the correct word) our brain and there are differences in the chemical makeup of this brain compared to a NT brain. Recently l discovered that hoarding and hoarders have something wired differently in the front cortex. Before it was thought to be connected to OCD but they are stepping away from this. And l know it runs in families.

 

[Matthias]

In an argument, it's important to recognize the difference between people arguing a position and spectators.

The person arguing a certain position can sometimes be too emotionally invested in the position to change their mind. In the most extreme cases, they view opposition to their opinion as a personal attack on their very identity. In this case, no amount of reasoning or scientific evidence will change their mind. In fact, any resistance will often cause them to strengthen their view point - they dig deeper and double down on it.

That's exactly the problem. I came here to help but it looks like everyone here is so emotionally invested in the belief that autism is genetic and part of who they are that they view my opposition to their opinion as a personal attack on their very identity. I think you're right that no amount of reasoning or scientific evidence will change their mind. I had planned to post more but it looks like it would be pointless since people will laugh and reject everything I write. I don't really care if anyone believes me. I posted because I wished someone had told me earlier that I could have recovered from autism and wanted to help people like me but I guess there's no interest here.

I believe you are emotionally vested in your opinion. I say this because you joined an Autism forum, posted that you have "recovered" are are no longer autistic, asked for input, and are now arguing with every opposing viewpoint. You may not "feel rejected" anymore, but you are still actively seeking validation.

I have stated my opposition to your viewpoint for the purpose of others reading this thread, and will let that stand.

I have not argued with anyone. I just pointed out errors to improve knowledge. I don't need validation from anyone since I'm very happy and content with my new life.

 

[Progster]

My purpose was to explain that it's possible to recover from autism using CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) which people can do on their own without a therapist.

I believe that CBT can help with the anxiety, depression or PTSD that often comes with autism, but not the autism itself. There are differences in the brain in the way people with autism process information, cognitive dfferences that can't be helped by CBT, but as many symptoms of ASD are exacerbated by anxiety, depression and PTSD, then a reduction of these will also help the autistic person cope much better with his or her autism - or specifically those traits of autism that are fed by anxiety.

One of the problems that I have, and others have also reported too, is an inability to process conversation, which in turn affects my ability to socialise or fit in a work environment. I'm just that bit slower to process speech, and don't automatically process and understand social information. Conversation is non-verbal as much as verbal, emotional signals or ememes being exchanged alongside the verbal information, and I often fail to send and receive this information. This means that in any conversation, I feel detached, disconnected, like watching TV rather than actually being a participant in the conversation. This is a cognitive difference, perhaps a part of my brain didn't fully mature or didn't connect up the way it should, who knows. I tried CBT for a while, and it did help me by teaching me to live more in the here and now and let go of some anxiety through mindfulness, but nothing will alleviate this particular issue.

 

[Wolfgangus Faldestolius]

That's exactly the problem. I came here to help but it looks like everyone here is so emotionally invested in the belief that autism is genetic and part of who they are that they view my opposition to their opinion as a personal attack on their very identity. I think you're right that no amount of reasoning or scientific evidence will change their mind. I had planned to post more but it looks like it would be pointless since people will laugh and reject everything I write. I don't really care if anyone believes me. I posted because I wished someone had told me earlier that I could have recovered from autism and wanted to help people like me but I guess there's no interest here.

...

I have not argued with anyone. I just pointed out errors to improve knowledge. I don't need validation from anyone since I'm very happy and content with my new life.

The point is you didn't adduce science, you just gave us a story about Bettelheim. You didn't tell us you were going to spring traps on us. I think you should hang around and get tips, hints, encouragement for the rest of your recovery that lies ahead.

I don't care whether "it" is "schmenetic". Think, and plan, and use imagination about what train of thought you are going to lead us in - please. Have a purpose in your posts, please.

Any time you write something unclear, queries from us are aimed at eliciting clarification from you.

We're glad you're content - the guff about Bettelheim doesn't happen to demonstrate it. You offered it as a story and you could have commented further on it as a story.

We've had horrendous attacks on us by doctors and we view our attributes as a whole and we manage and adapt what we want to manage and adapt.

Don't finick about our varied conceptions of identity (some very Mediterranean and chocolatey ), and we won't finick about your concept of symptoms or management. We'll offer additions, and you can place on "ignore" any member's posts. You help by joining in, in your own unique way, as we each are unique.

You were lucky with your CBT practitioner - whose name perhaps wasn't Bettelheim after all - and I know for a fact a huge number of people (over the years) have found the way CBT was practiced, where they had to join in it, wasn't up to scratch. I don't think it exists in my neighbourhood any more; additionally I just bumped into a sensible crowd of ordinary people that are proving a balm to my traumas.

 

[Wolfgangus Faldestolius]

Studies have shown there aren't any structural differences in the brain. A CT or MRI scan of an autistic brain looks identical to a non-autistic brain. The brain scans that are abnormal are SPECT, PET, and fMRI which don't show structural differences. They measure things like metabolism and can be affected by psychological factors. They are also abnormal in people with depression and anxiety and change when those conditions are treated.

Hardly anybody with any condition gets a brain scan. Mine (which was at least two of the above) shows atrophy, incidentally. If all ours had been taken they would show huge variations, as would everybody else's in society.