March 28, 2008
In a new play by Damien Atkins, an anthropologist gets custody of her severely autistic daughter. Vivian's approach to Lucy's condition leads her to an extreme hypothesis: autism isn't a disorder –- it's the evolution of the species. "Lucy" was premiered in the US by The Ensemble Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Science & Technology Project. Produced by Eric Molinsky.
Wow, you really yet home with that story. I am that person, but never realized it. 48 yrs old and go for many days never speaking to anyone. And I Paint.
Damien Atkins says that the symptoms of autism are "human characteristics expanded or shrunken". That thought intrigued me as I was thinking just the same thing as I watched Amanda Biggs' video.
Though I'm not autistic, I too enjoy sounds and textures in a way that might sound odd, but not to her extreme. Listen to a slinky for a few minutes? Why yes! While rubbing a keyboard isn't my thing, I really enjoy sticking my hands into our rice jar and feeling the texture of the rice. When I draw, I really, really enjoy the sound of the dip pen scritching on the paper.
What is interesting is I don't feel the slightest urge to do these things when I'm stressed, but only when I'm relaxed. Anybody else out there have any quirks like this?
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