As largely “outside observers”, autistic people derive them from perceptions/models of patterns. This seems a nontrivial distinction; “internal resonance” would occur with the former group but not necessarily with the latter.

The concept of “getting” an idea or pattern, such as with the learning of a martial arts kata (form), involves reaching a point where the activity becomes natural, where it “does itself”. Cultural patterns may “do themselves” in this way, with many (most?) participants “getting” them so quickly and readily that they remain unaware of having done so. This suggests an innate receptivity which autistic folks may not have, a capacity (even a need...) for “internal resonance” with these cultural patterns. As if there was a built-in empty place - or a network adapter - which needs outside connection in order to feel “complete”. By contrast, autistic individuals (using a railroad metaphor) are more like the self-propelled Budd cars than typical passenger cars which must be connected in order to function.

Seems like there’d be quite a difference between participatory and nonparticipatory schema construction. In the participatory case, the schema builds up around one such that it becomes the only thing visible. Like growing up in “The Truman Show”... but we autism-spectrum folks can choose to turn our heads away from what we’re being invited/implored/cajoled into joining (see my poem "Autistic Identity").

And can we “Budd cars” lower tires and leave the tracks?

Last revised: June 17, 2007
(c)2007 Dave Spicer
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