Elon Musk, a tech entrepreneur and the leader behind Tesla and SpaceX made headlines when he spoke about his Asperger syndrome when he went to Saturday Night Live. This change of mine completely cleared the water around the existing link between neurodiversity and innovation.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is related to impaired social interaction, understanding and attempting to communicate, and interests and behaviors that differ from those of the majority of the population. Having “Autism Spectrum Disorder” (ASD) means there is quite a wide range of Asperger’s symptoms-, from mild to severe. Once it was separated from other ASD conditions, Asperger’s Syndrome is now thought to be classified within ASD under the latest DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
Elon Musk and His Statement on Asperger’s
The comedian revealed that earlier in his career, he was never confident about his ability to talk about his condition in public and was unaware that his condition had a name, Asperger’s Syndrome. His report went through the crowd, with many people describing his willingness and courage to discuss brain diversity and his personal experience.
The Controversy Surrounding Elon Musk’s Tweets and Public Statements
Elon Musk, a tech giant, the chief of many companies, and also who is often amongst the trending news for both his bold and sometimes controversial tweets and public appearances. Use our AI to write for you for free as long as you include the respective citation. You can use Google Scholar to find the citation info. Hurry up! Our free high-quality service is here to help you!
He has found himself in troubled waters for certain remarks, such as his reference to a British diver involved in the Thai cave rescue as a “pedo guy” on Twitter. Although Musk subsequently apologized, the incident raised concerns about his discernment and impulsiveness.
While the year 2018 saw the beginning of the tsunami, Musk stirred up buzz by tweeting about thinking about buying out Tesla and letting it be traded at a price of $420 per share. He was sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for filing a lawsuit, alleging securities fraud.
This matter came to the SEC attention and it made Musk resign from being Tesla’s board chairman as well as pay a penalty of $20 million.
Lastly, Musk has felt criticized for his take on the Covid-19 disease. He is known to have been denied being appropriate in the tone of the virus and also making observations that have no proper backing on possible treatments. However, in a subsequent tweet he went line as far as to assert that children are “virtually immune” to the COVID-19 virus, a claim devoid of scientific basis.
On the way of some people, Musk’s bravery and fooling around seems as quite funny or extenuating, while the others consider him as an irresponsible or even negligent influencer. Besides the fact that he is the CEO credited for many successful businesses and additionally he is a social media celebrity with a large online following, Musk’s remarks cannot be ignored because they have real-life impact.
Briefly, why should we be surprised by the controversy that has arisen, as Mr Musk’s statements and tweeting indicates that he has not coped with being a public figure in the digital age. Freedom of speech is vital but when our words affect others, it is also critical to handle what is left for us in a responsible manner.
The Impact of Asperger’s on Musk’s Life and Work
Although Musk didn’t particularly map out what he tends to gain from Asperger’s in terms of work ethic, creativity, and problem-solving strategy, it can be assumed that his unusual neural links amplified the innovative way he patterns his mind. With regards to neurodiverse individuals frequently demonstrating their strengths in particular areas, it might further strengthen them in positions of power.
Neurodiversity in the Tech Industry
Tech companies have been recognizing the giftedness and embracing their neurodiversity for a while. Leading figures like Steve Silberman who penned ‘NeuroTribes’ have contributed a great deal to the prevalence of understanding around neurodiversity. Through their efforts, they have definitely achieved more acceptance and understanding.
About AutismCOE (Autism Center of Excellence)
Autism Center of Excellence, located in North Carolina and Virginia, provides a wide range of services to children aged 2 to 14 years. Our services are available at home and in center-based environments, making it convenient for families.
In North Carolina, we serve Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Apex, Garner, Wake Forest, Cary, and Fayetteville. Meanwhile, in Virginia, we extend our services to Richmond, Midlothian, Chester, Henrico, Tuckahoe, Lynchburg, Petersburg, North Chesterfield, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
AutismCOE services include:
ABA Therapy
ABA Therapy is designed to improve specific behaviors in children with autism.
ABA for Early Intervention
We focus on early detection and intervention to maximize the potential of children with autism.
ABA for School Readiness
Our School Readiness program prepares children for school by teaching them necessary skills.
Speech Therapy
Our Speech Therapists work with children to improve their communication skills.
Specialized Parent Training
We provide training to parents to help them support their child’s development.
Center-Based ABA Therapy
We offer ABA therapy services at our center.
In-Home ABA Therapy
For convenience, we also provide ABA therapy at home.
We are committed to helping children with autism live fulfilling lives.
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Frequently Asked Questions & Answer
What Are The 3 Main Symptoms Of Aspergers?
As for the three main characteristics of Asperger’s, these are referred to as social interaction difficulties, a preference to repetitive/restricted patterns of behavior as well as communication disorders.
Can Someone With Aspergers Live A Long Life?
Indeed, people with Asperger’s are also able to end up having a thriving and amazing life as well. Thanks to proper caregiving, they can overcome their disorder and enjoy a healthy life just like any other people.
Do Aspergers Symptoms Get Worse With Age?
Not necessarily. Some other people could acknowledge that their issues have been more and more under control due to the new knowledge and techniques they have applied to deal with their symptoms Intellectual, physical and social transformations that quaranteen has brought may also impose adverse impact on the mental health of some adults.
Is Asperger's More Severe Than Autism?
Asperger’s Syndrome or Mild Autism formed a distinct diagnosis known as the Autism Spectrum Disorder, and the afflicted individuals usually reported an above-average IQ and good oral skills. Whilst it is true that the level of associated symptoms considerably differs between patients, it should not be forgotten that some people may experience them more severely than others.
Conclusion
While Elon Musk’s neurodiverse traits require understanding and acceptance for an inclusive society to materialize, it is also crucial to celebrate everyone’s uniqueness. Musk’s transparency about his autism is inspiring, for people will not necessarily devote their lives to it as he does but can still be successful. It also proves that neurodiversity is more complementary than a limitation.
AutismCOE (Autism Center of Excellence) offers ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy to children from 2 to 14 years old in-home and center-based environments.
Please Note: The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Bhavika Bhasin (Author)
Bhavika Bhasin is the Research and Marketing officer at AutismCOE. She works with children and adults with ASD. Her clinical research includes evaluating various available autism screening and diagnosis methods and their efficacy. She is currently developing a novel screening exam that is indicated to be more accurate than the existing available exams. She is also writes articles papers for various publications.
A Belief In Every Child’s Potential
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