Introduction Through investigating the condition called Aspergers, I hope to gain a clearer understanding of the troubles faced by individuals

with this spectral condition, and in a greater sense those who are burdened with its umbrella classification of Autism. I chose Aspergers before Autism for two reasons. One reason is that I have a young male family member who is diagnosed as such and I feel that as a role model to him, my education of his condition will be mutually beneficial for years to come. Secondly, as a bridge into Autism, as I understand Aspergers to be considered a higher functioning level of that disorder. So I chose to relate where I could make mental connections easiest before moving on to harder to manage areas of the spectrum. This investigation, and this paper, is only the first step in learning more about these conditions. It begins here with a review and analysis of five sources related to Aspergers. I have covered a documentary film, a number of newspaper articles and a blog posting with summaries, critique and personal thoughts. Just add water Wasilewski, S. (Producer), Tlerney, J., & Wasilewski, S. (Directors). (2009). Clay Marzo: Just Add Water [Motion Picture]. Quiksilver. Retrieved 10 10, 2011 Retrieved October 10th, 2011 from iTunes Music Store. Just Add Water is the story of Clay Marzo, a young Hawaiian surfboarder who was diagnosed in 2007 as a person with Aspergers Syndrome. By citing his diagnosis as a pivotal moment friends and family claim that Clay began to develop socially on a much higher level than he had previously been known to. Once confining his outgoing personality to interaction with ocean waves and a surfboard, he now looks people in the eye and has less apprehension about large crowds or meeting new people, enabling him to pursue his goal of being a professional surfer. We are told through this film that those with Aspergers should not be considered to be suffering a disorder, but that in fact their brain is wired in such a way that social interaction is simply much lower on their hierarchy of priorities. Also, we hear that people with this condition will pick a special interest and apply seemingly uncanny levels of attention and devotion to mastering that interest. Finding contentment in their progress in that rather than relying on their ego to provide satisfaction with life. It is said, and I agree, that there isnt anything wrong with this way of being. There is no problem with wanting to be alone most of the time. Its just a different way of seeing the world. The speakers in this film are convinced by their experience that through identification some people can begin to develop greater self-understanding, and most importantly self-acceptance, resulting in a richer life. Through understanding their condition, it would seem one with Aspergers can engage in society more readily than may be commonly thought, and I certainly believe it is an idea worth pursuing. As adult educators it is important for us to note that Aspergers does not intellectually bar people from learning in our classrooms, and that it could in fact be a facilitator of greatness if proper attention is given. However, Autism is a spectral disorder and not all who find themselves on that spectrum

may develop such abilities as Clay. Be those abilities social or in an applicable special interest. Nor may they be willing to develop themselves socially, despite diagnosis and understanding. Perhaps a key factor to becoming an effect agent of education for these people is a matter of sensitivity to perspectives and goals different from what the status quo tells us is desirable. In the end, everyone must be treated individually. Does being autistic mean you are atheist? Caldwell-Harris, C. (2011, September 26). Why Are High-Functioning Autistics More Likely to Be Atheists or Agnostics? Retrieved September 28, 2011, from http://www.scienceandreligiontoday.com/2011/09/26/why-are-high-functioning-autistics-more-likely-to-beatheists-or-agnostics/ In this blog posting, Professor of Psychology at Boston University Catherine Caldwell-Harris draws a conclusion that individuals with Aspergers are unlikely to follow religion due to the fact they are typically found to function with lower mentalizing abilities, but put great emphasis on logical reasoning and systematic approaches to gathering and internalizing information. By overlooking the socially relevant aspects of religion and at the same time having an acute sense for logic, an observer could conclude that these individuals would reject religion simply because their minds will not make sense of it in the way neurotypical individuals could. Professor Caldwell-Harriss background in psychology serves her well in recognizing mental patterns for both neurotypical people and Autistics. With that considered, I find some of her evidence worthy of higher scrutiny. Specifically the anecdotal data being gathered from online message boards where posts from self-identified individuals are taken at face value. That aside, the clinically confirmable premises of how autistic people process information serves as the only solid argument to support her claim. Knowing autistic people have such a propensity for straight logic, and adult educator may feel a need for absolute mastery of their subject matter. Meaning if we are unable to present our knowledge in a given moment with an utterly infallible delivery we may lose the interest of an Aspergers individual. Or, we may find ourselves confronted in a debate for which much of the class (if it consists of neurotypical students) can draw a sound conclusion without, and possibly create a loss of interest on their part instead. Is it possible that an individual with a highly acute aversion to engaging in knowledge they struggle to rationalize would attend classes in the regular stream of adult education? Of course, that is one of the many natures of learning disabilities. The strategies for effectively steering the class environment thus may call for a rich understanding and implementation of Universal Design. Harnessing talents of those wit hautism Johnson, C. K. (2011, 9 21). Software company harnesses talents of young adults with autism. Retrieved September 22nd, 2011 from http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1057158--software-company-harnesses-talents-of-young-adults-with-autism In this newspaper article, C.K. Johnson tells of a work-environment specifically arranged to accommodate employees with Aspergers Syndrome. Modeled on successful Danish company, Aspiritech offers steady employment in the field of software testing and provides an environment where the unique personality traits of their employees are embraced and accepted rather than looked upon harshly or as grounds for dismissal. In addition to

providing stable work, Aspiritech encourages through training the development of social skills via company outings into public events such as minigolf or eating at restaurants together. At the core of their employment ethos we see a method of inclusion through accommodation, which in turn helps the companys success by harnessing the intense focus, endurance of repetitive tasks, and excellent memory of people with Aspergers. This serves as a prime example that those with this condition are not mentally ill, and indeed are capable of meaningful employment through consideration and nurturing of their social capabilities, and their unique skills harnessed with appropriate direction. As adult educators, this further supports the thought that Aspergers Syndrome is not quite the impossible barrier to development once perceived. Through education on how to best interact with students living with the condition we can manage to include them in our classroom environments and provide to them the education so dearly needed to find employment and have a greater level of self-sufficiency, and ultimately self-acceptance and knowledge. Autistic hcakers? Smith, G. (2011, September 9). Is Having Autism A Defense For Hacking? Retrieved September 22nd, 2011 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/22/hacking-autism_n_976392.html This article from an online publication addresses an emerging pattern in the world of cyber-crime whereas people accused of illegal hacking activity receive lesser or no punishment for their actions on account of their living with Aspergers Syndrome. Essentially this reasoning says that they do not understand the gravity of their actions nor the fact that what they have done is legaly or morally unacceptable. Speaking with Simon Baron-Cohen, a leading expert in Autism, we are told that to consider the responsibility of actions for these individuals we should liken their behaviour to that of a child who does not understand how others will perceive what they have done. How can one adhere to the premise of law without understanding the social contract law entails to begin with? Conversely, some are quite skeptical of the diagnosis of some of these hackers and suspect it may be used to skirt the law by way reasoning just mentioned. I find it easy to agree that people struggling to utilise common social contracts will have a hard time understanding legal responsibility and moral duty, but also that it is necessary to be wary of those who would use the disorder to twist the truth of the matter and escape punishment. In adult teaching, as in all teaching, it is the responsibility of the instructor to maintain a welcoming and productive environment for all students. Considering autistic people are known to misread or miss entirely social cues and barriers, is it reasonable to anticipate an action may arise that makes another student uncomfortable or unwilling to attend classes? This I desperately want clarification on. As the authority in the room, I think the students of TEAC2903 need to familiarize themselves with effective and appropriate methods of defusing social tensions arising from misunderstandings between those with or without Aspergers. On that same note, students themselves do bare some responsibility in maintianing classroom decorum. Is it necessary to ask them for a level of accomodation without isolating the autistic student as the special one in the class? I say absolutely. Accomodation must be accompanied with inclusion, and as we begin to understand and diffuse knowledge of Aspergers Syndrome to the world at large, and especially in adult education, I see more opportunity forming to do just that. Autism now includes aspergers in its spectrum Hamilton, J. (2010, February 10). NPR - National Public Radio.

Retrieved October 4th, 2011 from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123527833 This article, provided by NPR, informs us of a recent draft of the DSM to include Aspergers in the Autism spectrum by the A.P.A. Some currently diagnosed Aspergers people are apprehensive about being called Autistic and claim theyll find it difficult to identify themselves as so. While acknowledging it may be difficult they also assert it is likely the right thing to do, especially science behind identification. Science which at this point, has been unable to firmly determine the two conditions are mutually exclusive. To date, being identified as a child often results in the label of autistic, only to later in life perhaps be moved to Aspergers. With the distinction formalized in this new way clinicians can focus on the more important aspects of care rather than struggling with ascertaining which specific syndrome the individuals have. Additionally, this inclusion will open up more support opportunities previously denied individuals with Aspergers but which have been available to those labeled as Autistic for many years in some regions. With the ability to have a clearer diagnosis earlier on in life, an individual can begin receiving care necessary to prepare them for adolescence and then adulthood. Ultimately, if possible, they would move in to adult education. With these new guidelines, providing appropriate care earlier can likely result in a higher rate of those with Aspergers managing their way through to adult education and on to a greater degree of self-sufficiency that previously possible in general. The better the support base they arrive with at post-secondary institutes the more capable a teacher like as us can be for planning and providing a valuable educational experience to these individuals.

Works Cited
Caldwell-Harris, C. (2011, September 26). Why Are High-Functioning Autistics More Likely to Be Atheists or Agnostics? Retrieved September 28, 2011, from Science + Religion Today: http://www.scienceandreligiontoday.com/2011/09/26/why-are-high-functioning-autistics-more-likelyto-be-atheists-or-agnostics/ Hamilton, J. (2010, February 10). NPR - National Public Radio. Retrieved from Asperger's Officially Placed Inside Autism Spectrum: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123527833 Johnson, C. K. (2011, 9 21). Software company harnesses talents of young adults with autism. Retrieved 9 22, 2011, from thestar.com: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1057158--software-company-harnesses-talents-of-young-adults-with-autism Smith, G. (2011, September 9). Is Having Autism A Defense For Hacking? Retrieved from The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/22/hacking-autism_n_976392.html Wasilewski, S. (Producer), Tlerney, J., & Wasilewski, S. (Directors). (2009). Clay Marzo: Just Add Water [Motion Picture]. Quiksilver. Retrieved 10 10, 2011