In a lot of ways my dyslexia, is a working opposite of Aspergers, which has lead me to the notion that all people are on the spectrum, but that the spectrum is very wide and includes us all. I also have the notion that it makes sense for people to be this way. I think we are primarily a pack animal, and the thing about packs is that they are far more efficient if the individuals in the pack have differing characteristics. For instance a dog will change its personality depending where it comes in the pecking order of the pack.
I know my Dyslexia, although is a disability in some directions, gives me great advantages in others. I do not think that is just a one off anomaly. We live in cultures that set up models of the perfect human, and we all fall short, but I think that model is entirely wrong. I have also seen that people that have been diagnosed as being on the spectrum, have abilities that I have not. It is probably going to be a long time, even if I were proved right tomorrow for society to recognise that some of the things which are diagnosed now as disabilities, are traits which should be desired to be included in an organisation.
However in the here an now, anything that diverges from the 'Normal' model of how we are supposed to be is made a disadvantage by the culture and its judgement system. That of itself is going to infuriate an individual. Added to that we have a culture that tends to see in black and white, so anger is seen as a bad thing that should be removed. Once again I don't altogether agree with that train of thought. I am an old man now, ancient to a teenager anyway, but to an extent I have learnt not to dismiss my anger but to use it, to channel it in the directions I want it to go. Not always, but a lot of the time.
That's all very easy to say, but much harder to put into practice, and I have to admit yesterday I failed on a massive scale, but to leave you with a thought.
Terminology can be used to think about things in a different way, Most performers are wedded to their stage fright, as it concentrates the mind prior to a performance, that attack of anxiety can be deployed as a useful tool.
I know my Dyslexia, although is a disability in some directions, gives me great advantages in others. I do not think that is just a one off anomaly. We live in cultures that set up models of the perfect human, and we all fall short, but I think that model is entirely wrong. I have also seen that people that have been diagnosed as being on the spectrum, have abilities that I have not. It is probably going to be a long time, even if I were proved right tomorrow for society to recognise that some of the things which are diagnosed now as disabilities, are traits which should be desired to be included in an organisation.
However in the here an now, anything that diverges from the 'Normal' model of how we are supposed to be is made a disadvantage by the culture and its judgement system. That of itself is going to infuriate an individual. Added to that we have a culture that tends to see in black and white, so anger is seen as a bad thing that should be removed. Once again I don't altogether agree with that train of thought. I am an old man now, ancient to a teenager anyway, but to an extent I have learnt not to dismiss my anger but to use it, to channel it in the directions I want it to go. Not always, but a lot of the time.
That's all very easy to say, but much harder to put into practice, and I have to admit yesterday I failed on a massive scale, but to leave you with a thought.
Terminology can be used to think about things in a different way, Most performers are wedded to their stage fright, as it concentrates the mind prior to a performance, that attack of anxiety can be deployed as a useful tool.
