Autism and Creativity Asperger’s syndrome Conference (Autism Cymru), 6 th June 2005. Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Prof. Michael Fitzgerald

Autism and CreativityAutism and Creativity

Asperger’s syndrome Conference (Autism Asperger’s syndrome Conference (Autism Cymru),Cymru),

66thth June 2005. June 2005.

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

Prof. Michael Fitzgerald.Prof. Michael Fitzgerald.

Mark TwainMark Twain

Comments on innate ‘individual differences are what Comments on innate ‘individual differences are what make horses race’.make horses race’.

Definition of GeniusDefinition of Genius

Bernard Berenson:Bernard Berenson:

‘ ‘The capacity for productive reaction against ones The capacity for productive reaction against ones training’.training’.

Act of GeniusAct of Genius

1.1. Original.Original.

2.2. Novel.Novel.

3.3. Bring about a change in our understanding of a Bring about a change in our understanding of a subject.subject.

AspergerAsperger

Ask questions a child Ask questions a child would ask.would ask.

Ask fundamental Ask fundamental questions.questions.

Curiosity.Curiosity. Focussed.Focussed. Workaholic.Workaholic.

Narrow interest.Narrow interest.

Visual immagination.Visual immagination. Reject received wisdom.Reject received wisdom. Persistence.Persistence. High energy / motivation.High energy / motivation.

GregoryGregory

Educational Performance:Educational Performance:

‘‘The budding scientist of high renown seems typically to The budding scientist of high renown seems typically to be a B+ student’.be a B+ student’.

Not interested.Not interested.

Blossom when they find their interest and their niche.Blossom when they find their interest and their niche.

Genes and GeniusGenes and Genius

Multiple genes of small effect.Multiple genes of small effect.

Genes effect:Genes effect:

1. Traits of persistence.1. Traits of persistence.

2. Concentration.2. Concentration.

3. Curiosity.3. Curiosity.

4. Certain types of stimulation (? Novelty).4. Certain types of stimulation (? Novelty).

Genes and Evolution:Genes and Evolution:

Dehaene:Dehaene:

- Evolution is slow and gradual.Evolution is slow and gradual.- Genes are ‘condemned to a slow and minute evolution! Genes are ‘condemned to a slow and minute evolution!

Where they are dependent on chance mutations’.Where they are dependent on chance mutations’.- It takes thousands of ‘aborted attempts before a It takes thousands of ‘aborted attempts before a

favourable mutation, one worthy of being passed on to favourable mutation, one worthy of being passed on to coming generations, emerges from the noise’.coming generations, emerges from the noise’.

- Genius have ‘exceptional neurobiological structure’.Genius have ‘exceptional neurobiological structure’.

My ViewMy View

Its their creative activity that keeps them sane.Its their creative activity that keeps them sane.

Creative blocks lead to depression and suicidality.Creative blocks lead to depression and suicidality.

Diagnostic Criteria for Asperger’s Diagnostic Criteria for Asperger’s syndrome by Christopher Gillbergsyndrome by Christopher Gillberg

1.1. Severe impairment in reciprocal social interaction (At Severe impairment in reciprocal social interaction (At least two of the following):least two of the following):

a)a) Inability to interact with peers.Inability to interact with peers.

b)b) Lack of desire to interact with peers.Lack of desire to interact with peers.

c)c) Lack of appreciation of social cues.Lack of appreciation of social cues.

d)d) Socially and emotionally inappropriate behaviour.Socially and emotionally inappropriate behaviour.

Diagnostic Criteria for Asperger’s Diagnostic Criteria for Asperger’s syndrome by Christopher Gillbergsyndrome by Christopher Gillberg

2.2. All-absorbing narrow interest (At least one of the All-absorbing narrow interest (At least one of the following):following):

a)a) Exclusion of other activities.Exclusion of other activities.

b)b) Repetitive adherence.Repetitive adherence.

c)c) More rote than meaning.More rote than meaning.

3.3. Imposition of routines and interests (At least one of Imposition of routines and interests (At least one of the following):the following):

a)a) On self, in aspects of life.On self, in aspects of life.

b)b) On others.On others.

Digby TantumDigby Tantum

Make up stories, imaginary words, or imaginary play Make up stories, imaginary words, or imaginary play companions.companions.

As actors on the stage have difficulty infusing a As actors on the stage have difficulty infusing a dramatic individual with a character other than their dramatic individual with a character other than their own.own.

The Following is False About The Following is False About Asperger’s syndromeAsperger’s syndrome

1.1. No relationships.No relationships.

2.2. No imagination.No imagination.

3.3. No empathy.No empathy.

4.4. No artistic creativity.No artistic creativity.

5.5. No capacity to write a No capacity to write a novel.novel.

6.6. No political skill.No political skill.

Identity Diffusion in Autism. Identity Diffusion in Autism. Fragmentary Sense of Self in AutismFragmentary Sense of Self in Autism

Problems with narrative leads to problems with sense of Problems with narrative leads to problems with sense of self.self.

Problems with capacity for self awareness and Problems with capacity for self awareness and autobiographical memory lead to identity diffusion.autobiographical memory lead to identity diffusion.

Problems with personal memory leads to a deficient Problems with personal memory leads to a deficient sense of self.sense of self.

Asperger SavantAsperger Savant

Special talent at high I.Q.Special talent at high I.Q.

High creativity.High creativity.

Autistic IntelligenceAutistic Intelligence

Unconvertional.Unconvertional. Unorthodox.Unorthodox. ‘‘Pure and original, akin to the intelligence of true Pure and original, akin to the intelligence of true

creativity’ -creativity’ -

Hans Asperger.Hans Asperger. Musical.Musical. Abstract and logical.Abstract and logical.

Sir Keith JosephSir Keith Joseph

Founder of Modern Conservatism in Britain (Margaret Founder of Modern Conservatism in Britain (Margaret Thatcher).Thatcher).

Most influential politician in late 20Most influential politician in late 20thth century. century. John Gray states – responsible for Conservative party’s John Gray states – responsible for Conservative party’s

abandonment of its traditional pragmatic attitutde to abandonment of its traditional pragmatic attitutde to economic doctrine and for right-wing think tanks economic doctrine and for right-wing think tanks (Autistic phenomena).(Autistic phenomena).

One of the Godfathers of the Blaire Government.One of the Godfathers of the Blaire Government. Enigmatic.Enigmatic.

Keith JosephKeith Joseph

Family Background:Family Background:

Father Sir Samuel Joseph, Mayor of London in 1943.Father Sir Samuel Joseph, Mayor of London in 1943.

Difficult man, enormous energy. No detail was too Difficult man, enormous energy. No detail was too small for him.small for him.

Stickler for detail.Stickler for detail.

Keith Joseph Keith Joseph

Childhood:Childhood:

Sensitive and contemplative boy (Denham and Garnett).Sensitive and contemplative boy (Denham and Garnett). Outsider.Outsider. Bullied at school.Bullied at school. Yearned for friendship but had difficulty forming Yearned for friendship but had difficulty forming

relationships.relationships. Poor academic performance at school.Poor academic performance at school. Psychosomatic disorders.Psychosomatic disorders. Unorthodox bowler at cricket.Unorthodox bowler at cricket.


Speech and Language:Speech and Language:

Specialised in modern languages.Specialised in modern languages. Didn’t write autobiography (problem with Didn’t write autobiography (problem with

autobiographical memory).autobiographical memory). Gift for oratory.Gift for oratory. Difficulty with humour.Difficulty with humour.


Social Impairment:Social Impairment:

Excessively private and introverted young man.Excessively private and introverted young man. Shy, intense and guarded.Shy, intense and guarded. Preference to discuss ideas.Preference to discuss ideas. Tremendous honesty and openness.Tremendous honesty and openness. Five extra shillings for the barber for not talking to him.Five extra shillings for the barber for not talking to him. Prim and humourless.Prim and humourless.



No desire to interact with peers at Oxford.No desire to interact with peers at Oxford. Not changed by war.Not changed by war. Immature autistic personality.Immature autistic personality. No one remembered him having a girlfriend at Oxford No one remembered him having a girlfriend at Oxford

(Denham and Garnett).(Denham and Garnett). He embarrassed people with his frankness and took He embarrassed people with his frankness and took

everything too seriously (John Brocklehurst).everything too seriously (John Brocklehurst). ‘‘The only boring Jew I have met’ (Harold MacMillan).The only boring Jew I have met’ (Harold MacMillan).



Other-worldly innocence.Other-worldly innocence. A sense of detachment from reality.A sense of detachment from reality. Identity diffusion.Identity diffusion. A loner, a mystery figure (Sunday Express).A loner, a mystery figure (Sunday Express). An unusual degree of detachment from political reality.An unusual degree of detachment from political reality. Alarming naivety.Alarming naivety.



As Secretary of State Department of Education he would As Secretary of State Department of Education he would quiz school children about the abilities of their teachers.quiz school children about the abilities of their teachers.

He asked 13 year olds about ‘integrated humanities in He asked 13 year olds about ‘integrated humanities in the middle years’.the middle years’.

Talking to you is like trying to teach Chinese to a deaf Talking to you is like trying to teach Chinese to a deaf mute (Len Murray).mute (Len Murray).

Maladroit and absent minded (The Spectator).Maladroit and absent minded (The Spectator).



He gave the impression of searching for eternal truths He gave the impression of searching for eternal truths who would prefer not to be diverted by the day-to-day who would prefer not to be diverted by the day-to-day problems.problems.

Deeply impractical man.Deeply impractical man. No political judgement.No political judgement. Lacked administrative skills.Lacked administrative skills. Introverted thinker.Introverted thinker. Leo Abse stated that he was ‘searching for intellectual Leo Abse stated that he was ‘searching for intellectual

solutions for what are properly emotional problems’.solutions for what are properly emotional problems’.



Professor Ted Wragg of Exeter University likened Professor Ted Wragg of Exeter University likened Joseph’s approach to education to that of ‘a Martian Joseph’s approach to education to that of ‘a Martian arriving in the middle of a rugby match’. arriving in the middle of a rugby match’.

He said if he became the leader of the Conservative He said if he became the leader of the Conservative Party it would have been a disaster for the party, Party it would have been a disaster for the party, country, and me.country, and me.

He refused to engage in general Cabinet dialogue.He refused to engage in general Cabinet dialogue. He would not allow television in his own house.He would not allow television in his own house.


All Absorbing Interests:All Absorbing Interests:

Workaholic and obsessional outlook.Workaholic and obsessional outlook. ‘‘He was perturbed by things which I do not control’.He was perturbed by things which I do not control’. Remarkable self discipline.Remarkable self discipline. He was obsessive about note taking and was rarely He was obsessive about note taking and was rarely

seen without a notebook and pencil.seen without a notebook and pencil. He had a tremendous memory.He had a tremendous memory. He read books incessently.He read books incessently.


All Absorbing Interests:All Absorbing Interests:

He was a linguist.He was a linguist. Denham and Garnett claim that in Joseph’s eyes Denham and Garnett claim that in Joseph’s eyes

‘statistical information was the only reliable guide to the ‘statistical information was the only reliable guide to the existence of a problem’.existence of a problem’.

All opportunities were fact finding opportunities.All opportunities were fact finding opportunities. He answered all correspondence even time wasters.He answered all correspondence even time wasters. He liked music.He liked music.


Eccentric Behaviour:Eccentric Behaviour:

He was an enigma.He was an enigma. He was as he described himself ‘a convenient madman’ He was as he described himself ‘a convenient madman’

or ‘I was a joke, a useful joke’.or ‘I was a joke, a useful joke’. Once when he was talking to children and parents at a Once when he was talking to children and parents at a

camping exhibition he gave a kind of state of the nation camping exhibition he gave a kind of state of the nation address and also said ‘it was more difficult for the address and also said ‘it was more difficult for the Russians to move about their country than it was for us . Russians to move about their country than it was for us . . Are we sure we shall not eventually be subject to . Are we sure we shall not eventually be subject to movement permits if socialism advances here? Don’t movement permits if socialism advances here? Don’t be too sure’. What the children made of this is unclear.be too sure’. What the children made of this is unclear.


Eccentric Behaviour:Eccentric Behaviour:

He also stated ‘one reason for the reluctance of such He also stated ‘one reason for the reluctance of such people to take advantage of family planning services people to take advantage of family planning services was that they were ashamed to go out in dirty was that they were ashamed to go out in dirty underclothes’. This was a reference to children of underclothes’. This was a reference to children of underprivileged lone parents.underprivileged lone parents.

At other times he could be seen banging his head At other times he could be seen banging his head against a wall.against a wall.

Private Eye described him as the unbalanced wild man Private Eye described him as the unbalanced wild man of the right.of the right.


Non-verbal Behaviour:Non-verbal Behaviour:

In conversation the British Ambassador Sir Nicholas In conversation the British Ambassador Sir Nicholas Henderson described how he ‘flung his hands in the air Henderson described how he ‘flung his hands in the air but revealed little’. He would chew his handkerchief. but revealed little’. He would chew his handkerchief. Henderson also noted his explosive laughter that seemed Henderson also noted his explosive laughter that seemed at odds with his buttoned up character and his facial at odds with his buttoned up character and his facial expressions clashed with his apparent thoughts like an expressions clashed with his apparent thoughts like an unsynchronised sound track in a film’ (brilliant description unsynchronised sound track in a film’ (brilliant description of non-verbal autistic behaviour). of non-verbal autistic behaviour).

Hendersen also said that he could do different Hendersen also said that he could do different expressions on his face simultaneously.expressions on his face simultaneously.

Private Eye described him as his ‘Insanity’.Private Eye described him as his ‘Insanity’.


Identity Diffusion:Identity Diffusion:

His life was a search for personal settled identity. His life was a search for personal settled identity. He had a harsh superego and was according to Tony He had a harsh superego and was according to Tony

Benn a ‘tortured soul’.Benn a ‘tortured soul’. He was moralistic.He was moralistic. Patrick Cosgrave described him as the man who told the Patrick Cosgrave described him as the man who told the

truth.truth. He regarded that to waste time was a sin.He regarded that to waste time was a sin.


Motor Skills:Motor Skills:

He was incompetent at bricklaying and hopelessly inept He was incompetent at bricklaying and hopelessly inept at skiing.at skiing.

ConclusionConclusion

He tried to understand society using a mathematical He tried to understand society using a mathematical approach. He approach. He

was preoccupied with details and perfectionistic.was preoccupied with details and perfectionistic.

Documents

Autism and Creativity Asperger’s syndrome Conference (Autism Cymru), 6 th June 2005. Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Prof. Michael Fitzgerald