Since one out of 150 people have some kind of autism-spectrum disorder, then it should be easy for a reporter to find people with these disorders in a wide range of occupations. A plumbing-supplies Web site could run an article about how plumbers with Asperger's use their nonverbal skills to find clogs. UPS could put something on its intranet about an autistic driver who can plan a complex route just by glancing at a map.
But "aspie IT worker" reinforces hoary stereotypes, whereas "aspie plumber" and "aspie truck driver" don't.
Well, I can't really disagree, but I would offer a slightly different interpretation: The news media, especially print media, is written by and for white-collar, upper-middle class people. It's not just the aspie truck drivers, plumbers, carpenters, cops, factory workers, taxi drivers, and salesclerks that aren't getting any press: none of these blue-collar workers are getting any press.
One reason that aspie IT workers got enough media attention to become a stereotype is that white-collar workers actually have to interact with them from time to time.
Comments
Since one out of 150 people have some kind of autism-spectrum disorder, then it should be easy for a reporter to find people with these disorders in a wide range of occupations. A plumbing-supplies Web site could run an article about how plumbers with Asperger's use their nonverbal skills to find clogs. UPS could put something on its intranet about an autistic driver who can plan a complex route just by glancing at a map.
But "aspie IT worker" reinforces hoary stereotypes, whereas "aspie plumber" and "aspie truck driver" don't.
Well, I can't really disagree, but I would offer a slightly different interpretation: The news media, especially print media, is written by and for white-collar, upper-middle class people. It's not just the aspie truck drivers, plumbers, carpenters, cops, factory workers, taxi drivers, and salesclerks that aren't getting any press: none of these blue-collar workers are getting any press.
One reason that aspie IT workers got enough media attention to become a stereotype is that white-collar workers actually have to interact with them from time to time.