Not just your ordinary typical

We had a presentation at work today on Pervasive Developmental Disorders which include things like Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Many of the consumers we work with have these disorders. Among the many things I learned is the term "neurotypical". It is so wonderful that I finally have a diagnosis that explains the way I am.

From the website of the Institute for the Study of the Neurologically Typical we read the following:

What Is NT?
Neurotypical syndrome is a neurobiological disorder characterized by preoccupation with social concerns, delusions of superiority, and obsession with conformity.

Neurotypical individuals often assume that their experience of the world is either the only one, or the only correct one. NTs find it difficult to be alone. NTs are often intolerant of seemingly minor differences in others. When in groups NTs are socially and behaviorally rigid, and frequently insist upon the performance of dysfunctional, destructive, and even impossible rituals as a way of maintaining group identity. NTs find it difficult to communicate directly, and have a much higher incidence of lying as compared to persons on the autistic spectrum.

NT is believed to be genetic in origin. Autopsies have shown the brain of the neurotypical is typically smaller than that of an autistic individual and may have overdeveloped areas related to social behavior.

How Common Is It?
Tragically, as many as 9625 out of every 10,000 individuals may be neurotypical.

Are There Any Treatments For NT?
There is no known cure for Neurotypical Syndrome.

This site also has some valuable resources such as

The definition according to the recognized Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Normal Disorders: 666.00 Neurotypic Disorder

What You Can Do If Someone You Know is NT

and even Understanding the Humor of Parody

Hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Autism and related disorders are serious problems that society is addressing much better than it did just a few years ago. But it is wonderful when people who have to deal with such difficulties can still take time to have a little fun by "turning the tables" on the rest of us.

For a more serious look at Autism check out this movie.