RE: One way to unravel the riddle of autism

This is the Simon Baron-Cohen article on his "Testosterone" or "Assortative 
Mating" theory in regard to brain differences and autism.  I know his 
"hypothesis" is in development.  It's interesting to read - but I think along 
the way, researchers will find the same differences in testosterone levels 
among non-autistic people too.  He even broaches that in this article - but 
doesn't extend it out.  Just my opinion.  One problem I have is that his 
definition of "empathy" as the ability to understand how another is feeling and 
*then* act "appropriately" toward that other.  I disagree - and think this 
shows basic lack of regard for understanding of the internal of any person.  
And who defines "appropriately?"  It's the whole "normal" versus "abnormal" 
thing again.   I may be able to "relate" to someone's emotion and "feel" what 
they "feel" - but how that is related to the "other" is very subje
 ctive & personal, and dependent on a multitude of factors; any of which may be 
unaccessible by remote observation.  So, maybe the very "defining" factors of 
autism *itself* need to be re-addressed before any proper "theory" can be 
mucked about.

And what about this word "riddle?"   I don't like it in this context.  It makes 
me think of Jack Nicholson as the Riddler from Batman. Yes, I know he was the 
Joker in the movie - but I can't help it.  I see him as the Riddler.  Maybe my 
testosterone is abnormal.  

lol

-----Original Message-----
From: autismlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:autismlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of qim@xxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 8:25 PM
To: autismlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Autismlist] One way to unravel the riddle of autism


Tom Smith [qim@xxxxxxxxx] has sent you the following:

Message: FYI

--------

One way to unravel the riddle of autism

TWO big scientific debates have attracted a lot of attention over the past 
year. One concerns the causes of autism, while the other addresses differences 
in scientific aptitude between the sexes.

Full article: http://www.scotsman.com/?id=2067592005

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