My Aspie Files

It’s about staying current.  People are fascinated by what goes on in the news.  Politics.  Scandals. Diseases. Money markets crashing.  Mean people doing horrible things to others.  Disasters …. It’s non stop bombardment of facts.  Analysis of what we could/should have done better ….. It’s all about drama.  Someone else’s drama…. And it is very negative…..

I know of many individuals on the autism spectrum who religiously follow the news.  In fact, some of my teenage students are more informed about world events than any adult could ever be.  And for some, it is about the facts and knowing what goes on.  And it stops there. For others, it is much more detrimental.  The person with Aspergers who comprehends what is being said can easily be swayed into believing that we are doomed as a society.  A teenager whom I accompany was convinced last year that we were about to explode because he had not recycled his bottle of water on that specific morning …. And so, we were all going die .  In a few hours.  How sad – I found – that this little man was so concerned because something that had been inflated fact-wise, yet that he believed because he was so literal in his understanding of things and events.

At 42 years old, I must admit that I no longer follow the news.  It is a choice that I have made a few years ago.  You may argue that this detaches me somewhat from reality. And you would be right – for I am.  I read the local newspaper once a week to keep up on local events [ and to follow my husband's column ].  I cannot handle the negativity nor the despair.  There has to be a time in the world where, someone, somewhere, is doing something positive.  And good. And helping other human beings. Newscast after newscast of blood, and war, and politics.  Where  are the good things happening?  Yes, I know that usually, the last story is a good-moment story but I do believe that it would be much more beneficial for many to hear more about such events.  Stories about people making differences in other people’s lives.  Local Heroes.  National  of peace.  Reasons to feel gratitude. Since human beings seem to be emotional sponges and absorb feelings surrounding them – I say immerse them in positive stories for a few weeks.  And then see what happens. I am willing to bet that things will be better.  Lighter.  And that many more will actually have a valid reason for going out there and making a difference in somebody’s life. CNN may be out of order – but I am willing to bet the the world would still be going strong anyways …..

Think about it …..  You may not agree with me – and that’s okay…. that’s just my opinion …. Aspie me !

Have a great Monday – look for the positive story !