Training the NeuroTypical
Yes, another “why people suck” rant. Hey, it’s not MY fault that there are so many reasons!
Tom & I are going to a business conference in Atlanta this week, so Vincent will have to take the bus to school for his last day. Since I usually drive him in the morning, we went to the office to find out what time he’ll need to be at the bus stop. The lady is very helpful to me; she didn’t have the info, but did give me the number for Transportation so I could find out. Then, she turns to Vincent & asks, “Who’s your teacher?” Huh? Vincent, confused, asked, “What?” The office lady, assuming it was a simple question just stood there & waited for an answer.
I wasn’t sure what she wanted, either, but I took a stab at it and said, “Your homeroom teacher?” “OH! Mrs. Grimsley”. So then, she told Vincent to let his teacher know that he would be taking the bus on Thursday. But not why he should.
I walked out thinking, “Why didn’t she just say, ‘Make sure you let your teacher know that you’ll be taking the bus on the last day of school, in case it’s late”? It seems that would be more efficient than asking a vague question totally unrelated to bus schedules.
Instead of training us autistics to figure out what “code” syllables people can be bothered to grunt out, perhaps Effective Communications classes should be mandatory. I’ve never in my adult life needed to write an effective essay – I have, however, needed to logically and clearly present ideas to other people. Tech schools like Collins College DID require me to take a public speaking class, and it was awesome; it’s time the universities caught up.
On a personal note, let me explain the difference between “infatuation” and “like/love”.
Yes, there is someone I think about a lot, someone sweet and sexy and good with his hands. However, his main purpose in my life right now is to inspire me to ask myself, “Just how many years am I going to try to make this thing with Tom work before I give it up as the lost cause that it’s been for a long time?” (you know how hard it is for me to let go, lol) So – maybe, after he’s gone through all the cute young women throwing themselves at him online, he’ll get around to asking me out. If not, that’s ok, too. Disappointing, but ok. It’s so nice to have a guy friend that I can talk to that openly; I’m not going to let poutiness get in the way.
When I get passionate, people always think I’m way more serious than I am. I love you all for your concern, it’s very sweet! It’s not fair, though, that at least one of you is still mad at Kevin for “the way he treated me”. C’mon; I know you’ve heard the phrase Mr. Right Now…
NOW – a cute thing Kathy posted on MySpace that I thought I’d post here instead of forwarding in an email. You’re welcome!
Helpful Hints for all my Guy Friends
The Hormone Hostage knows that there are days in the month when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his life in his own hands! This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, or significant other!
Tom & I are going to a business conference in Atlanta this week, so Vincent will have to take the bus to school for his last day. Since I usually drive him in the morning, we went to the office to find out what time he’ll need to be at the bus stop. The lady is very helpful to me; she didn’t have the info, but did give me the number for Transportation so I could find out. Then, she turns to Vincent & asks, “Who’s your teacher?” Huh? Vincent, confused, asked, “What?” The office lady, assuming it was a simple question just stood there & waited for an answer.
I wasn’t sure what she wanted, either, but I took a stab at it and said, “Your homeroom teacher?” “OH! Mrs. Grimsley”. So then, she told Vincent to let his teacher know that he would be taking the bus on Thursday. But not why he should.
I walked out thinking, “Why didn’t she just say, ‘Make sure you let your teacher know that you’ll be taking the bus on the last day of school, in case it’s late”? It seems that would be more efficient than asking a vague question totally unrelated to bus schedules.
Instead of training us autistics to figure out what “code” syllables people can be bothered to grunt out, perhaps Effective Communications classes should be mandatory. I’ve never in my adult life needed to write an effective essay – I have, however, needed to logically and clearly present ideas to other people. Tech schools like Collins College DID require me to take a public speaking class, and it was awesome; it’s time the universities caught up.
On a personal note, let me explain the difference between “infatuation” and “like/love”.
Yes, there is someone I think about a lot, someone sweet and sexy and good with his hands. However, his main purpose in my life right now is to inspire me to ask myself, “Just how many years am I going to try to make this thing with Tom work before I give it up as the lost cause that it’s been for a long time?” (you know how hard it is for me to let go, lol) So – maybe, after he’s gone through all the cute young women throwing themselves at him online, he’ll get around to asking me out. If not, that’s ok, too. Disappointing, but ok. It’s so nice to have a guy friend that I can talk to that openly; I’m not going to let poutiness get in the way.
When I get passionate, people always think I’m way more serious than I am. I love you all for your concern, it’s very sweet! It’s not fair, though, that at least one of you is still mad at Kevin for “the way he treated me”. C’mon; I know you’ve heard the phrase Mr. Right Now…
NOW – a cute thing Kathy posted on MySpace that I thought I’d post here instead of forwarding in an email. You’re welcome!
Helpful Hints for all my Guy Friends
The Hormone Hostage knows that there are days in the month when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his life in his own hands! This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, or significant other!
DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Wow, you sure look good in brown!
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: Could we be overreacting?
SAFEST: Here's my paycheck.
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a glass of wine with that?
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: What did you DO all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't over-do it today.
SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!
ULTRA SAFE: Here, have some more chocolate.
posted by brianna @ 11:33 AM
1 Comments:
Yeah and I'm increasingly of the opinion that the way Neurotypicals communicate isn't actually all that important anymore. In fact, personally I think its a carry over from our ape ancestory and could probably be done away with. Particularly when you take language barriers (vis things like 'false friends', which have caused diplomatic incidents before) into account. And yes a lot of the time these days my answers to NT 'criticisms' (cough, hehe) are "I'm an Aspie. I don't actually care."
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