bipolar spectrum
When the bus I was impressed with how different they look at how the pilots would have been only ten years ago.
Of course I'm not the first to notice that people are largely on their own bubbles – occupied by headphones ears, eyes filled the screen. The Chit Chat, shared human experience bus-riding – that awareness of being part of a group of human beings engaged in the activity of public transport trips – has changed.
Critics call this dangerous dependence on electronics. The use of electronics, largely a solitary activity (at least in the physical sense), it prevents people connect with others, and increases the insulation, which can be harmful for people already struggling with socialization. Penelope Trunk writes on 19 March 2006 Boston Globe, "The moment is a quality human interaction you do not get from computers, or even the telephone."
But advocates technology claim that people using technology, while in group settings are often the same people who would have avoided the socialization anyway. Technology, which offer only gives them a convenient way to avoid it.
But it is too comfortable?
The question can not be black and white, however, at least for Aspies. Exposure therapy, a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy is a well documented avenue to meet and overcome sources of anxiety, such as simple phobias. The therapy involves the creation of a program of continued escalation of measures or the challenges, working toward an ultimate goal of anxiety responses reduced or eliminated. The reduced interactions with others to near zero Aspies can stop receiving the same treatment that can reduce discomfort in social situations: real time interactions with others, with unpredictable results and road disorderly.
Yes Aspies themselves often report reduction anxiety in the groups in power, when counting, at least in part, on technology. "My iPod has become a security blanket," says a client with Asperger "Without the bus I found intolerable, and not even on board before the headphones are in-However, this customer highly benefited greatly from a self-imposed practice regiment, chit brief "chat sessions" with riders. The key to its success may have been selective use of electronic device in social settings, such that beyond its role was not total, but a device class support. After adopting a more balanced view of how to use your device to modulation of anxiety, rather than total prevention, was able to increase social interaction, reduce associated anxiety and get a sense of mastery over fear a previously loaded situation: mass transit.
For Aspies, technology can work better as a complement to the socialization, in rather than a substitute. Consciousness and self-control are critical to the success of the Aspie aimed at reducing social anxiety and reduce reliance on mobile electronics. Aspies, like everyone else, largely require both solo and group connection. After asking teens about this issue, Neal Starkman wrote in his newspaper article March 1, 2007 on the communication and technology, "From their responses, it appears that young people want technology because it secures two basic needs that, seemingly contradictory, are crucial to their well-being to be alone, and connect with others. "
If you have Asperger’s and and iPod, you may want to push yourself to interact when you can….for some, it may be the only way to ride the bus comfortably. For information on cognitive behavioral techniques and Asperger’s visit http://www.terratherapy.org or http://www.nacbt.org/whatiscbt.htm.
Dr. Marietta N. Almazan – 100 Most Influential Filipina Women
