Emergent neurodivergent

  It's a popular myth that autistic people lack empathy. Dehumanising the Other has always been the first line of attack, hasn't it. However my experience has been the opposite. As I wrote earlier, I can feel pity for inanimate objects. I physically and mentally can't bear to be around trees being cut down, I kicked a beloved teacher when he organised a Piano Smash (what was  that all about? If you've never heard of them you are younger than me!) And I have a strong sense of social (in)justice. These days that is acknowledged as one of the defining traits of neurodivergent people. Who knew that the uncaring, cold, ASC types might actually lead the way in caring about the world? One of my favourite Bible verses is Micah 6:8 -  And what does the   Lord   require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy    and to walk humbly with your God. This was a verse we focused on for a whole year in the Methodist Church. I sometimes wish this was the only...

It only occurred to me the other day to google Autism and anthropomorphism. Thinking back, I suddenly grew suspicious   of my   very strong tendency to attribute emotional intelligence  to things: to imagine it being possible to hurt a car's feelings for example, or my tendency to apologise to doors if I bang them. This was undoubtedly learned behaviour because my mother dealt with my countless phobias by teaching me not to hurt things' feelings:  Don't scream! The Hoover will be sad it's made you frightened and many similar phrases seeped into my psyche and took root. I did the same with my children and now they are doing it with theirs. Watching other parents, I don't think that is so abnormal.  What feels possibly less like other people is the fact that in my sixties I still feel guilty for 'separating a stone from its friends' with a careless kick, work out which ducks are friends and which are lonely when I'm by the river, and feel sorry for lights ...