Comic Discussion > QUESTIONABLE CONTENT
Is Emily an Aspie?
user-abuser:
--- Quote from: ChaosWolf on 12 Dec 2012, 08:11 ---Most likely the latter. And the label of "Aspie" get batted about a lot lately by folks who don't really understand it beyond "that person acts weird", so I'd be hesitant as suggesting Emily is one.
--- End quote ---
I do understand what being on the autistic spectrum means; I've been diagnosed with AS.
--- Quote from: idontunderstand on 12 Dec 2012, 08:16 ---As far as I can see, no. Apart from her funny quirks I don't see any "aspbergers type behavior".
[also, when the second post quotes the first post of a thread, something has gone wrong somewhere]
--- End quote ---
Sorry, didn't notice the post you mentioned. And that "type of behaviour" is often seen as "funny quirks".
Also, the story in the comic we're talking about is not really a drama or a medical story is it, that's why I don't really see the author wanting to draw something too, uh, "realistic".. . There's always a comical streak in there. Hannelore and her OCD , Claire and being transgender.... why not Emily being an Aspie?
--- Quote from: pwhodges on 12 Dec 2012, 08:51 ---I'm not happy with "aspie" being thrown around as a term.
--- End quote ---
I didn't use it as a term. 1) I like the word, 2) It sounds much nicer, 'milder' than "having a SYNDROME".
--- Quote from: pwhodges on 12 Dec 2012, 08:51 ---Also, the medical community is starting to move towards dropping the term Asperger's Syndrome in any case (as reported in a link in another thread).
--- End quote ---
I didn't really plan on starting a topic discussing Aspergers Syndrome itself , that's why I didn't even try to explain anything deeper. Just figured everyone is able to do a research on the subject if interested. As for the gossip from "the medical community" - I'm well aware of the fact; but they didn't "move" and "drop" the term yet, and it is still being used.
And besides, is it what's this forum about? Thought it was about the webcomic we all like to follow.
--- Quote from: Mr_Rose on 12 Dec 2012, 09:42 ---The DSM-V has deprecated the term, yes. The condition formerly known as Asperger's syndrome is or will become known as a mild form of the broader class called the "autism spectrum" not that such technical minutiae make a blind bit of difference to the condition as experienced by the patient.
--- End quote ---
Right, and yet one can still be diagnosed with Aspergers, an it's still called AS "in the papers". Also I agree with the last part of the sentence above - the name doesn't make any difference.
--- Quote from: Mr_Rose on 12 Dec 2012, 09:42 ---And no, Emily does not appear to be suffering any form of autism, mild or otherwise; autism, as a rule, affects the patient's perception of others' motives and intent, making social interaction confusing and therefore scary. Emily, on the other hand, is not trying but failing due to a literal inability to spot others, nonverbal social cues; she appears to simply literally not care.
--- End quote ---
How are you going to know if a comic character suffers from any neurological issues? Let's assume the author wanted her to be autistic - do you really think he would draw her having a meltdown or stimming? ... seriously? Difficulties in social interraction often look like the person just doesn't care about what others think or is simply rude. Or eccentric. Again, "Questionable Content" is not a documentary on anything.
I guess I should have explained more thoroughly what gave me the idea of Emily having AS; her talking about smells and colours might be a sign she's hypersensitive. Her eccentric behaviour, asking loads of very straightforward questions and not noticing that she's irritating/upsetting someone [scenes with Momo] - nonverbal communication issues. She was also said not to have many friends before [classic, when social interactions are scary...]. She wanted to work in a library [I might have overinterpreted that, but isn't it a good place for a person who likes schemes, has her special interest and does not appreciate noise, loads of movement around ,very bright light, physical contact, has low stress tolerance?] Plus her rather original style of putting words together.
Do I really need to write about things like mirror neuron dysfunction, sensory processing disorders and whatnot? Are we still talking about a FICTIONAL CHARACTER here? I just wanted to see if any other readers had the same idea as me.
And personally I think it would be awesome if Emily was an Aspie -
1) spreading awareness in a 'light' way, 2) a good - looking girl working effectively and having a group of friends; so different from the stereotype
3) a character to feel a bit connected to.
idontunderstand:
To be honest I wouldn't mind a serious discussion on the topic here, I just think you have misunderstood the general tone of this forum a bit. We often get into VERY SERIOUS character analysis here. And to throw out stuff like this in a sort of light-heartened way doesn't usually go down well. Sorry. :meh:
user-abuser:
--- Quote from: idontunderstand on 12 Dec 2012, 13:13 ---To be honest I wouldn't mind a serious discussion on the topic here, I just think you have misunderstood the general tone of this forum a bit.
--- End quote ---
So let's start the discussion then, there's nothing better than a good discussion. About the tone of this forum - I didn't analyse it much, just posted a question .
--- Quote from: idontunderstand on 12 Dec 2012, 13:13 --- We often get into VERY SERIOUS character analysis here.
--- End quote ---
Didn't mean to "sound unappropriate". The 'serious character analysis part' is understandable - following a story of any kind might be a hobby, so it's important.
--- Quote from: idontunderstand on 12 Dec 2012, 13:13 --- And to throw out stuff like this in a sort of light-heartened way doesn't usually go down well. Sorry. :meh:
--- End quote ---
About 'going down well' - perfectly noticeable ;) .
Again I didn't mean to throw out anything in any way especially; sorry if anyone felt offended. I got so worked up with the idea that I just wanted to ask the question I asked and check out the responses FAST. And I even had to discuss it with other people before posting, so that might count as a serious approach to the subject.
:)
pwhodges:
--- Quote from: user-abuser on 12 Dec 2012, 12:55 ---
--- Quote from: idontunderstand on 12 Dec 2012, 08:16 ---also, when the second post quotes the first post of a thread, something has gone wrong somewhere
--- End quote ---
Sorry, didn't notice the post you mentioned.
--- End quote ---
What he means is that it was unnecessary for ChaosWolf to quote your post when replying with no post in between (it's mentioned in the stickies that outline the preferred behaviour in this forum); it wasn't addressed to you.
--- Quote from: user-abuser on 12 Dec 2012, 12:55 ---
--- Quote from: pwhodges on 12 Dec 2012, 08:51 ---I'm not happy with "aspie" being thrown around as a term.
--- End quote ---
I didn't use it as a term. 1) I like the word, 2) It sounds much nicer, 'milder' than "having a SYNDROME".
--- End quote ---
"Syndrome" is neutral, being merely a description, and so is preferable to "disease"; but people with asperger's don't like being described as "suffering" from it either way. Having no specific knowledge, I reacted to the word "aspie" as being a possible cause of offence, as similar words can be in other situations - however, some research shows me that I was wrong to be concerned in this case.
user-abuser:
--- Quote from: pwhodges on 12 Dec 2012, 14:47 ---What he means is that it was unnecessary for ChaosWolf to quote your post when replying with no post in between (it's mentioned in the stickies that outline the preferred behaviour in this forum); it wasn't addressed to you.
--- End quote ---
Cheers for explaining - first day on the forum, loads of reading to do.
--- Quote from: pwhodges on 12 Dec 2012, 08:51 ---"Syndrome" is neutral, being merely a description, and so is preferable to "disease"; but people with asperger's don't like being described as "suffering" from it either way.
--- End quote ---
Right, because it's like saying that life of a person with AS is nothing more than suffering . Bit harsh isn't it. And "having a syndrome" feels like wearing a label. To put it in a simple way, autistics have a 'funky' central nervous system; developmental differences never go away and never change. It's just a different way of experiencing everything, not a disease.
--- Quote from: pwhodges on 12 Dec 2012, 14:47 --- Having no specific knowledge, I reacted to the word "aspie" as being a possible cause of offence, as similar words can be in other situations - however, some research shows me that I was wrong to be concerned in this case.
--- End quote ---
The purpose of your reaction was right, even if this time you weren't ;). "Aspie" is just for short, a "pet name" even. People with autism and aspergers often use this referring to themselves. I've never heard anyone using it as an insult.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version