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I can’t find one Orthodox Jewish autistic person that’s open about their autism diagnosis. I know that liberals in the non-religious community and conservative and reform are open about it. Why aren’t Orthodox people open about it?
Ever heard of something called embarrassment?
You sound like someone asking why aren’t poor people open about their EXACT situation of poorness if it will help them get more Tzedaka from people?
No one should ever need to be in either of these situations or tests of faith directly from Hashem.
1. It isn’t limited to Jews or Orthodox. Non-Jews with the condition don’t usually purposely wear it on their sleeves.
2. You could ask the exact same question about lack of “openness” regarding those diagnosed with schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, psychosis, anorexia and any number of other conditions.
I know several people with autism who have no problem saying so if it is relevant.
I don’t know where you are getting your facts from, people are very open about it, look at the support networks that exist today, Yachad, Rayim, Hamaspik, HCS etc.etc.
I frankly don’t know what your hang up is,, do you want them to walk around with a sign saying i have ASD? the vast majority of the frum people with ASD live normal productive lives with some outside support.Ephraim,
You seem to be hung up about this since you asked this numerous times in the CR (understandably since you have Asperger’s) I hope you have a frum social worker and if you do this might be a question for them
So they are already sometimes perceived by others as socially awkward, and now you are suggesting they start introducing themselves to you with “Hi I’m Yankel and I have aspergers”.
You should get out and meet more people- they are often very open about it even if they don’t feel the need to walk around announcing itYou should check out the Jewish Autism Network. I think it’s run by a Chabad rabbi in Brooklyn. Seems very good. They have a great website.
Asperger’s is normal. There’s no more reason to share that he or she has Asperger’s than he would share that he’s colorblind, has an ingrown toenail, a toothache, he’s a lefty, he’s underweight, he had his gallbladder or wisdom tooth removed, etc.
Im not sure about autasim but i know alot of people who are open about their hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
There are Asperger’s people all over the place. 1/3 of them don’t even know they have Asperger’s, 1/3 of them know but don’t care or do anything about it and the last 1/3 runs around getting treated.
The very idea that Asperger’s is part of the autism spectrum itself is relatively newfangled.
spoken like a true aspie
Just because most of the real world isn’t screaming about their mental illnesses (both real and “self-diagnosed”) 24/7 like Twitter doesn’t mean that “Orthodox aren’t open about their diagnosis”.
One word answer: Shidduchim. Or, more precisely, admitting that one has autism or has autism in the family would be a death knell for the possibility of being redt shidduchim. It’s shallow and stupid but that’s how it is.
I hate to say it, but this post and another from a few months ago really seem to be expressing an urge to associate with irreligious Jews. As has been pointed out, we all know “neuroatypical” (to use the new expression) individuals who live in the community and who are known to be such; they can’t exactly hide it. Try davening at different shuls; you’ll find people who have autism if you look hard enough.
I had a friend in high school who was missing his left hand due to a birth defect. Everyone knew but he was still a normal part of the group; he didn’t walk around with a t-shirt that said “I’m disabled” – instead he taught himself, somehow, to play basketball (he was actually quite good) and other things… He didn’t want his identity to be defined by his disability, and he was successful at doing so.
I have a friend who is in 12 step and the meeting were held in a conservative temple, he asked as shilah and was told he can go if this helps his soberity, if this helps your metal health then go for it, please dont lie and say the frum community ignores ppl with ASD,
My son has ASD and guess what? like Avira said “He didn’t want his identity to be defined by his disability” he went to a program and learned constuction and now manages others.Common; that psak is the same as many old shailos about events held in reform/conservative temples. The general rule is that you can go there if it’s necessary as long as it’s not during prayer times.
**and it’s not in the sanctuary
@avira, there is a medical component at play here so it present a whole differnt set of facts, I am not competent to pasken and you are not either.
Ephraim,
You are obviously a very special person who longs to have special friendship. You will have one, one day!
You mention that you have some difficulty in reading body language, meaning you can take things very literally. It’s okay, many people have the same difficulty you do! You may be surprised to know that it’s so common among neurotypical people to struggle with finding friendships just like you. It’s not only you! I think it’s important to know to that your family is very important. You may feel criticized and sometimes get mussar, but you may not be reading them properly to realize that they are your best friends and will always be there for you.
I’ll bet many more people like you than you realize!!
One outcome of not being good at reading people, is that you may have trouble seeing other people’s perspective. You are thinking of your ASD, but many people are struggling with many issues, that aren’t obvious to you. You enjoy sharing and being open about your ASD, while others prefer privacy.
I want to warn you that the internet is not place to make friends. It can be dangerous. Please ask people you know you and care about you to explain this to you. Also, it’s a mistake to think “the grass is greener on the other side of the mountain”. That’s an expression that means that you think the unknown may be better than what you know. There is no perfection anywhere until the times of moshiach, that we all pray for.
You seem outgoing. I’ll bet you’ll start a program one day, for young people just like you!!
PS – stay away from your computer!!Well if you are on the YWN Coffee Room and Discord you will find plenty of Autistic peeps there.
Maskim
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