Second Life with Autism

I'm not sure if this has been put up before. I seem to remember it just vaguely. In any case, here it is again.

I origianlly found this link from William Gibson's "blog". http://www.williamgibsonbooks.com/blog/2008_02_01_archive.asp

This is a very good report on autism, communication, and the internet. If you have not seen the future of the internet in SL, this may change your mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmTXGQ2BhUA&feature=related

I know at least 2 autistics that can have a social life thanks to SL, one even loses the abilety to understand spoken word but during those periods can function normaly in SL.

Youknow how many studies are about Autism? You know how many facts that be related to Autism ? Its one of the most over used medical term in a long long time
I know because my child has it. Don`t believe everything that is said about this condition and the factors that could be related to it. Autism could be typical or A-Typical with conditions that could bounce both ways. hence if the doctors in their studies are right 90% od all childrend have somedegree of case . Now if you believe all the BS going around about Autism. Then you see this when the next great medical condition is thrown into the publics faces. Everything and anything causes Autism...................gesh
Its bad enought this games has to PR this condition for their own person gains! Its another things to promoto this game for the help Autism people! I am sorry but LLABS is getting low lowin PR the game they will do almost anything to do it! This hits home with me because its part of my everyday Life with my child. But to say this game helps them is just leave a very very bad feeling in my heart! TACKIE TASTLESS AND JUST OUTRIGHT BULLSHIT!

Usagi, Since you have daily experience with Autism, I'll take you as the expert here, but I think you're being a little harsh on Linden Lab. I mean, they didn't put out the story...

This is just makes me upset! To see how they apply even Autism to its wealth of how good this platform can be for even Autism people! Its just makes me sick!
CNN has a piece on this subject matter awhile back with SL and Autism. Thats what makes this even more tacky and tastless.....

Knowing a few people with autism/aspergers syndrome here in SL and seeing that being here infact does help them, I again notice that Usagi uses a very isolated and opinionated approach on *everything* that in *any way* relates to SL/LL. What a sad life it must be that only revolves around bashing SL/LL - my deep condolences.

I have two children with Autism and I agree with it personally. I think SL is a great social venue and brings things to people who can't otherwise do in real life. Just my two lindens.

Water is wet, etc.

if it helps one person its worth it just sayin....

LL didn't put the story out. Save your vitriol for when they deserve it.

I have a son who has Asperger's. Although he has not gotten involved with SL...but says he is going to, I can see how it would help a great deal with the social aspect for other's with this and other forms of Autism. There are so many degrees of this disorder. Some people are high functioning, as is my son, and had to learn the "normal" social graces and how to read body language through games we played when he was young. Others are very low functioning, and may not be helped with platforms like SL. However, to say it is all BS and would not help anyone with Autism is, in my opinion, very inaccurate and jaded.

-Blu- (living the life)

I think Usagi really missed the point. Possibly did not even watch the clip and just went off on a tangent.

The closest thing to an expert opinion I have is wild assed guesses based on conversations with my wife who has worked with autistic childern for 15 years. Some sever and profound, some not. But that is not the point. Autisim has as one of it's symptoms a very differnt level of communications. Not handicapped, but heightened and unfiltered. Cross referenced in ways we can not comprehend.

The people in the story do not want to be fixed, cured or trained to live a "normal" life. The way they think, act and communicate is normal to them. The SL interface -- could be There.com or The Sims or whatever the next generation of this tech will be -- allows us to be able to adapt to them. Not the other way around. Second Life is mentioned almost in pasing. It is the setting for a piece of the story, not a part of it.

Virtual worlds as a means of rapid communications is the underlying theme of the story. Read between the lines. The devil is in the details, and other such cliches. The fact that we can use these interfaces to talk with people who have super heightened levels of communication should tell you something.

Yosef, Usagi is just as bitter as Rebecca Proudhon, who takes any and every opportunity to bash LL when an opportunity, however slight or unwarranted, presents itself. Very rarely do you ever hear anything positive about LL from her.

I miss no point with this issue! I have a child with Autism, and the types of of cases of Autism can be very diff from person from person. What applies o one for of Autism doesnt apply to another. Thats my point. Thisis not a catchall each Autism case. speaking or commication with another person would not apple to a case that a of a person that can`t stay still for more then 5 mins. Autism is the most over used form of medical condition world wide at this time. WOW testing form is just a standardized testing for showing cases of Autism. I miss no point, but what the PR outlets has missed is Autism is not a a group of people withthe same coniditions.

As for the troll please this is a serious subject of rl and not role playing. so go back to your rl perfect . Because for some people with Autism children is real and not a joke. Please don`t post your typical less then brained 3rd party forum BS here. BTW it was a CNN related report that was reported with Autism. So there.next time read alittle more before posting BS.

In some cases it can apply. But the way CNN report that gave light to this condition showed that "Autism" without giving any case type that SL would be a a great tool for them. Thank for explaing this because the report that CNN explain a few months ago that highlighed this to really did a poor job of explaining the details. Autism is not the same for everyone. Facts are many case of Autism would not help at all. Infact could makes things worse of Autism people. because they could go in to Seizure from seeing very fast moving objects on the screem. Hence yes it could be harmful for some cases of Autism.

As far as I can tell, I'm the only autistic person to reply to this thread thus far. And I agree with some of what Usagi is saying, in that it's very difficult to accuratly detect any particular form of autism, and what works for one person may not work for another. However, being so hateful and jaded is not going to help anyone. To live with someone with autism one has to be caring, patient, and willing to learn and adapt. The lack of those traits have caused great difficulty to me, even helping to force me out of my job.

But as Yosef mentioned, it's not uncommon for autism to bring about surprising new thought processes and ideas. It's said that Einstein had Asperger's Syndrome, for example. The phenomenon of special interests is what drives my creations in SL. While my short attention span means I tend to go of on random tangents in the middle of a project, I do create things people want to buy on a fairly regular basis, and have a great time doing it.

SL is helpful to me psychologically too, giving me confidence in myself, and allowing me to win the respect of others, which is quite hard to do in person due to shyness and difficulty speaking.

EDIT: Usagi, autism doesn't cause seizures. It does usually bring other neurological conditions with it though, so an autistic person who has seizures would also have epilepsy...Though that's not one of the more common conditions to accompany autism.

Myself i studied ( many enviromental psychology UnderGrad and master level for interior design )while i was in the USA studied about ADA ( it was required ) so personality i understand the possiblity tht SL has. But again LLABS report by CNN should have done a better job explain the Autism and the possible that some cases have and some don`t. SL is a wonderful tool for those that are not ablebodied or have social interaction problems in their rl. Thats what mades Sl wonderful. we are all the same here reguardless of or personal life.

Where else can a person that can`t walk in rl dance in a ballroom.......Or kiss or hug while holding another person where in their rl they don`t have the ability to do it. The wonders of SL.

I can't even understand what he(or she) is saying, much less agree with it.

ok what ever.............If you feel you know more i can careless.......If you have a child with this condition you would understand..........AND BTW its MS.....Not MR...... have a good day.........I take no jokes about this.....Its no joking matter......

I have Aspergers and I have found SL very helpful. This doesn't mean that it's gonna help everyone on the autism spectrum, but it seems to help alot of people, so don't knock it just because it might not be a possible tool for YOUR beloved person with autism. Anyone who studies or works wtih or has a relative with autism knows that the condition is on a spectrum, and certain clusters of traits point to specific types of autism. The media will always pigeon hole and clump it together because the average, neurotypical person in 2008 has the attention span of a knat. That's just the nature of the media. LL is not to blame. Get a grip.

/me nods head in agreement...*blinks*

SL is a good way for ANYONE to find social interraction, not just Autistics. I know plenty of people with social phobia/anxiety and they find SL helps them a lot too. 'Helps' as in possibly stopping them from feeling isolated and depressed, but OTOH doesnt help because SL doesn't really teach any RL social skills IMO.

For those on the spectrum, SL isn't just a place for them to blend in. For some it has become a means used to extend Autistic culture and Autism pride. A good example is the Autistic Liberation Front, which is owned and operated by Autistics.

Usagi, Linden Lab had nothing to do with that video. Second Life was just mentioned in passing as a potentially useful tool. Did you even watch the video?

The Autism Society of America is the leading voice and resource of the autism community in education, advocacy, services, research and support. The Autism Society of America – Second Life Chapter (ASA-SL) was formed to provide that voice and resource to the Second Life community

ASA-SL exist in Second Life to increase public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy within Second Life.

On September 12, 6:00 PM SLT thru September 14, 10:00 PM SLT, the ASA-SL will host an event for fund raising and to introduce the Autism Society of America to Second Life and to help promote Autism Awareness. The event will feature a number of activities including a Bounce House, DJ’s, Musicians, Auction, entertainment and closing ceremonies with fireworks. Plus there will be door prizes for all attendees! And of course there will be abundant information about autism and the autism community. Proceeds raised from the event will be donated to the RL Autism Society of America Research Foundation. Below you will find information regarding the Foundation and the type of research it supports. *

So mark your calendar and make plans to help us "Bounce for Autism" and promote Autism Awareness in Second Life!

* ASA Foundation: The ASA believes that science will one day unravel the mysteries of autism. In the meantime, the ASA is committed to supporting research in both the biological basis of autism, as well as strategies and treatments that will improve opportunities for individuals with autism and families affected by autism. The ASA Foundation actively supports both types of research: the biomedical science approach as well as the human side of the disorder through studies of lifespan, treatment, social, vocational, and legal. Although significant advances have been made in biomedical research, it is also clear that applied research holds the key to many of the daily challenges faced by those living with autism today.

For more information, please contact Brett Stand or Crysta Laville.

Weekly meetings held every Saturday @ 5pm SLT at the ASA-SL House.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/eRa/96/125/22


Each year, people with autism, families and professionals volunteer. To each and every one of you, thank you.

Crysta Laville
ASA-SL Director

SL can help a lot of people with disabilities but helps if they are more creative.
My doctor thinks I have mild form of Autism but I never treated for it but I don't function
like others do either with it....
I didn't talk for long time as child, verbal language or speaking in real world is very difficult for me
I can but its uncomfortable, same with being around people but I have.
I have done lot things normal adults do at certain points in my life.
but there are times there certain things I get in sort of autistic loop around.
If there aren't people checking on my real life self in world or in the real world I can literally go without food for days or other unhealthy behaviors can't seem to stop often I am just making things or I get fixated on things.
That is one of reason why I have nurses come by and check and help me with things.
I think I have talked to one person for period of time with it.
I just don't want it to be focus when I am here I just be as normal even if it's weird normal in world.