International Young Naturists Organisation
Naturist Resources => Blogs, Videos, Articles about Naturism/Nudity => Topic started by: Dario Western on September 21, 2011, 10:16:45 am
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http://baretimes.org/2011/09/naturism-through-autism/ (http://baretimes.org/2011/09/naturism-through-autism/)
Beautiful and well-written article from someone with the most crippling mental disorders out there! I've shared this with a few naturist friends of mine who suffer from Asperger's Syndrome.
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Sorry Dario, but I can't understand how you can describe Asperger's as one of the most crippling mental disorders out there, especially when a lot of people in the field query whether it should even be described as a disorder. Autism yes, especially as its so often associated with other problems, but not Asperger's.
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Indeed. High-functioning Autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger's are more of a different kind of mind that does not conform to social standards than a crippling disorder. I would find the inability to make clear thoughts more crippling than a difficulty relating to people. Such disorders are more a case of "Cursed with awesome" than diseases that have to be cured. There are conditions in the autism spectrum that could be considered a disease that severely impacts the quality of life, but the "high-functioning" part pretty much clears up that this is not the case, and therefore it is not the autism disorder itself that causes misery, but the reaction of the environment to someone they perceive as different. As an introvert, genius (if I may say so) and something of a freak I can relate to that, and I understand that in an environment that accepts you for what you are, even when your mind is not one to just "go with the flow", you can feel a lot better.
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This was definitely an interesting article. At first, I was in disagreement with some points. Then I realised that the author was speaking of his own presentation, no one else's. And every individual on the Spectrum presents differently, no two are alike.
First, to be clear, the OP (@Dario Western) is mistaken. Autism is, in no way, “the most crippling mental disorder”. Not even close. If that were the case, I would most likely not be posting this response. In fact, I do not consider myself to be crippled in any way. I may perceive the world differently than you, Mr. Western, but I am not crippled, no matter how you define that word.
As I wrote a rather lengthy response to this article, I realised that I was writing about autism, not naturism, and therefore not in keeping with the theme of this forum. So I began again, and this response will be much shorter, hopefully.
I intimately understand the author's need to not be judged. Unlike him, I grew up in a family where nudity was common and healthy body image was fostered from childhood. But one point he makes is something many people do not understand:
Autistic people tend to be extreme in their senses. Myself, I am kinaesthetic (actually olfactory, but psychologists treat that as kinaesthetic). I am extremely sensitive to touch and physical sensation, in a positive way. But very disturbed by auditory and visual signals: hypersensitive to them, in a negative way. As such, I like to (or perhaps, NEED to) be nude. My skin is my primary sensory organ. What touches my bare skin, communicates with my brain. What I see with my eyes, or hear with my ears, may or may not ever reach my brain, and when it does, it may be distorted, even catastrophically so. (A very common autism-related condition known as Sensory Processing Disorder, or SPD, which also relates to sensitivity to touch, such as jeans against one's legs). Obviously, every autistic person is not this way. But for those of us who are kinaesthetic, it is very important to be unclothed as often as possible, to allow our environment to communicate with us through touch.
When I get anxious, my best calming refuge is to lie, naked, on the grass in our backyard/garden. I can feel the moisture in the ground, the tickling of the grass, the breeze blowing across me, the sun on my skin. And I can smell the ocean or the citrus trees. I can close my eyes, shutting out visual sensation (which is my most negative sensory input), and just feel the world around me. I have never been able to duplicate the same calming situation while dressed, with the sensations of the world insulated from my skin by fabric. Clothing to me, is the same as a blindfold for a visual person. It deadens my sensations of the world around me, makes it difficult to communicate or to understand.
This is a complex issue, one which society has been unable to reconcile to the strict norms of covering the skin as completely as possible. Society allows us, actually encourages us, to keep our eyes open, and to listen … but seems to forget that some of us communicate tactually.
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As they say the internet never forgets but I do hope it forgives this careless use of language from over 5 years ago I'm guessing Dario knows more about ASD's now. Now he's knows even more and one final thing... It's not safe to cross until my bells and lights stop. Expect more trains in both directions :wink: I can't believe I did that for 3 weeks
(http://www.tracksafe.co.nz/About/AT160170%20Level%20Crossings%20575x150.jpg)
Thank you @Caliboy for waiting for level crossing in your head to clear before posting
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Even though my phraseology was directed at the OP, the message was actually directed to current readers. Unfortunately, it is a relatively common viewpoint that autistic people are disabled.
I realise that the thread was started 5 years ago. But the article that is linked in the original post is still online, and the message it contains is still valid. I was hoping, actually, that newer members might also follow that link and read the author's unique viewpoint.
For those too lazy to scroll up to find the link, let me give it to you again here:
http://baretimes.org/2011/09/naturism-through-autism/