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KATE MILLERICK: Enabling empathy
by Kate Millerick
Columnists | 10/30/07
Posted online at 9:14 PM EST on 10/29/07
The telltale social awkwardness that plagues individuals with AS can at times be the most tragic aspect of the disability. Shore pointed out how, if one doesn't understand the "hidden curriculum" of human interactions, one is automatically classified as a social outcast. Instead of encountering the patience that is necessary for them to learn, many people with AS are ignored or cruelly mocked by their peers and labeled as "creeps" or "freaks." We've all witnessed such behavior, even at Brandeis, and many of us have been active participants.
Shore emphasized the need for understanding and support from those with AS, especially in a college environment, while he or she struggles to learn those instincts that come naturally to many of us. He spoke about the countless hours he spent in bookstores studying human behavior books, trying to grasp those hidden cues that everyone else seems to "just know."
Especially in a college setting, his point is well taken. Everyone wants to fit in and have a group with which they share common likes and dislikes. Some people struggle more to find this group than others do. If someone is evidently having difficulty with those social nuances that come naturally to the rest of us, what does it take to just smile rather than laugh at him? A little kindness can go a very long way.
If nothing else, I hope that Shore's presentation instilled a little more compassion and understanding into those students in the audience who attended the event with an open mind. While it is crucial that those who work with and teach those with AS understand how the disability limits cognitive abilities, particularly in the classroom, it is vital that we grasp the social limitations and help our peers with AS to function within that framework.
Everyone wants and needs a human connection that exists outside the safety zone of the family. While it has certainly been a slow process, it seems as though the University is finally taking steps toward educating the student body in a meaningful way about such disabilities. It's time for us to embrace Brandeis' commitment to social justice and reach out to all members of our community.
Shore emphasized the need for understanding and support from those with AS, especially in a college environment, while he or she struggles to learn those instincts that come naturally to many of us. He spoke about the countless hours he spent in bookstores studying human behavior books, trying to grasp those hidden cues that everyone else seems to "just know."
Especially in a college setting, his point is well taken. Everyone wants to fit in and have a group with which they share common likes and dislikes. Some people struggle more to find this group than others do. If someone is evidently having difficulty with those social nuances that come naturally to the rest of us, what does it take to just smile rather than laugh at him? A little kindness can go a very long way.
If nothing else, I hope that Shore's presentation instilled a little more compassion and understanding into those students in the audience who attended the event with an open mind. While it is crucial that those who work with and teach those with AS understand how the disability limits cognitive abilities, particularly in the classroom, it is vital that we grasp the social limitations and help our peers with AS to function within that framework.
Everyone wants and needs a human connection that exists outside the safety zone of the family. While it has certainly been a slow process, it seems as though the University is finally taking steps toward educating the student body in a meaningful way about such disabilities. It's time for us to embrace Brandeis' commitment to social justice and reach out to all members of our community.
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