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Ass Burgers vs Aspergers
by technicolor_pie
Digital Artist
19 years ago
Note from 2025: Opinions expressed by me in my early 20s do not necessarily reflect my opinions now. I don’t like deleting things because I think remembering who I was and why I was like that are important. I wouldn’t make a comic like this today.
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Original text:
I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in middle school, around '96. At that time, it was a pretty largely unheard of disorder. As the comic states, it's a neurobiological disorder, a less severe form of autism that affects mostly social behaviors.
At some point in the last few years, diagnosis of the disorder has exploded. Whereas I used to get puzzled looks when I mentioned it, I'm more likely to find scads of people diagnosed with it everywhere I go. While I've had the fortune of meeting many great people with it... my friends and the internet at large have not.
Not a week goes by without some Fandom Wank report featuring someone being a total and complete ass on a forum and then turning around to say WELL I HAVE ASPERGERS. Friends tell me often that they didn't even realize I had it until I casually mentioned it, because other people they've met with it are, to be blunt, insufferable jerks who consider their disorder a free pass to be so. It pisses me off more than a little.
I don't see the disorder as a scapegoat. I don't want people to feel they have to give me special treatment or forgive me for things they wouldn't forgive other people for. They did that to me in high school and you know what? It didn't help. What helped was learning to handle my own problems and facing the consequences like any 'normal' person would be expected to do. I don't think it's asking too much of others to attempt the same.
In short? Don't be an ass.
Special Note: I made a human version of this first, and then made the girl some random animal with random markings for FA. If it looks like a character of yours, it's totally unintentional and I apologize.
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Original text:
I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in middle school, around '96. At that time, it was a pretty largely unheard of disorder. As the comic states, it's a neurobiological disorder, a less severe form of autism that affects mostly social behaviors.
At some point in the last few years, diagnosis of the disorder has exploded. Whereas I used to get puzzled looks when I mentioned it, I'm more likely to find scads of people diagnosed with it everywhere I go. While I've had the fortune of meeting many great people with it... my friends and the internet at large have not.
Not a week goes by without some Fandom Wank report featuring someone being a total and complete ass on a forum and then turning around to say WELL I HAVE ASPERGERS. Friends tell me often that they didn't even realize I had it until I casually mentioned it, because other people they've met with it are, to be blunt, insufferable jerks who consider their disorder a free pass to be so. It pisses me off more than a little.
I don't see the disorder as a scapegoat. I don't want people to feel they have to give me special treatment or forgive me for things they wouldn't forgive other people for. They did that to me in high school and you know what? It didn't help. What helped was learning to handle my own problems and facing the consequences like any 'normal' person would be expected to do. I don't think it's asking too much of others to attempt the same.
In short? Don't be an ass.
Special Note: I made a human version of this first, and then made the girl some random animal with random markings for FA. If it looks like a character of yours, it's totally unintentional and I apologize.
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it may well be easy to say this, because as far as i know i have a pretty average, unextraordinary brain. but. ..deal with it, right? no reason to use any condition as an excuse to be an ass.
idiocentric does not mean idiot, it means unknown.
It really annoys me to see stupid kids hide behind mental conditions that I have learned to live with my entire life, especially when most of the real reason is secretly just "being a dumb teenager".
I approve the shit out of this jpg.
Seriously though, WORDY MCWORDERSKATES. Damn kids.
*cries himself to sleep*
P.S. Ever have a hard time figuring out what parts of you are you and what parts are because of the Asperger?
~Otaku-Man
# All the time. I don't like to 'blame' things on the disorder, so usually I'll just assume some quirk is natural weirdness first. There was a long period where I denied having it, even. But eventually I realized there is certainly something socially different about me.
Ever since I found out, I kept questioning what parts of me were just me and my weird self, and what parts I truly couldn't help because of the syndrome.
Despite that though, I made it through college, got married, and landed a job in my hometown where I now make a decent salary and work with technology.
So not too bad on my end. :) Also met Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner, two people who are STRONG advocates for Asperger's Syndrome awareness. :)
~Otaku-Man
To me, the parts of me that are because of Aspergers are just that. Parts of me. If they weren't there. I wouldn't BE me. I'd be someone else.
I too was diagnosed a long time ago and am now growing INCREASINGLY PISSED OFF at people who go WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH IT'SSS AAAASSSPERGERRRRSSSSSSSSS all the god damned day.
You are 100% right. IT. IS. NOT. A. SCAPE. GOAT. :|
Glad to find a like-minded kindered spirit!
He then consciously tried to force himself into a state of mind where he ignored all of these things that he had always been able to see because he felt it would improve him as a person. It was weird. You'd talk to him and you'd know he could tell what people were feeling and read obvious body language, but he would pretend forever that he didn't. It was kind of frustrating; he wasn't incapable of it, but he acted like he was on purpose.
So weird.
I got ADHD myself. Not like folks couldn't tell from my random comments and junk. Another condition that people use as an excuse to get away with so much. lol
Well-said!
Thanks!
I had first heard of Asperger's from an episode of House M.D. Must be an interesting ailment.
Wow.
I have anxiety and depression.
I go to a special school where they deal with shit like that.
And a few of the kids are Asperger's Syndrome kids.
And I just read "Ass Burger" in Augusten Burroughs' book called "Magical Thinking." Which was an amazing story 'cause I go to school with a couple kids with Asperger's.
Yeah.
Just to tell you, that is.
And hahaha @ the comic.
I couldn't deal with public school.
I even missed 8th grade.
I got fat then.
I still am fat.
I hate it.
D:
But why am I telling you?
I dunno.
Asperger's. That's why. I blame that.
It's my excuse.
Even though I don't have it. :D
I have been diagnosed with it, but being a jerk is not something I ever want to do.
I hope you are well. If you would like to discuss things, just to help each other out, I have YIM and AIM if you wish to speak.
Is that alright?
Excellent job on this! I wish you well!
Seriously, nobody knows I have it until I tell them BECAUSE A.) I AM GOOD AT CONTROLLING IT AND B.) I DON'T USE IT AS A SCAPEGOAT.
Fukkin fav'd/
I myself have problems with depression and lack of focus but I never let it get in the way of my work or hobbies... SO ROCK ON
Name me one 'neuro-typical' person and I'll bite off my right thumb.
Everyone has problems, addictions, coping mechanisms and dissorders. Some of them just hide it better.
I mean how do you even know if you have it? I'm kind of apathetic either way as with or without this condition I consider myself a superior human specimen.
Now you consult Wikipedia.
...Glad I'm not the only person to think 'ass burgers' when I hear the name, tho :D
Also, being an ass is your own responsibility, and not something you can blame on upbringing, religion or any disorders you may have.
But there are people a lot worse off then me, so I don't think I have the right to demand special treatment or a free ride.
If you have it, well, it's nice to see that people take it in stride and don't let it limit them. You're also lucky you were diagnosed before it was the new Disorder of the Month, after ADD ;)
Over the years I've run into people who fall into two groups when it comes to aspergers. One group says 'yeah, I'm wired funny. I learned how to outwit and use it to my advantage. I'm not damaged, but different' the other goes 'OHGOD, I AM COMPLETELY SELFCENTERED, AND MY TERRIBLE AND NEAR FATAL SOCIAL DISORDER MEANS YOU HAVE TO BE NICE TO ME.'
I don't like the second group, and I tend to write them off. If they ask why, I tell them it's because they aren't trying to be functional, they are trying to have aspergers way too hard.
I *like* the first group, as they tend to be a hell of a lot of fun to talk to, as their version of reality is quite different than the one I am used to.
But I agree entirely...it really makes those who really have it ashamed. (well what your picturing not what you pointed that is.)
Bipolar, PMS, Aspergers, ADD... A whole lot of reasons to be an ass, or so they think.
Fun fact, asperge means asparagus in Dutch and French. XD
Faved for awesomeness!
Not to be another me-too, but being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia has taught me many things:
1. There are some things you simply cannot explain to people; they have to be experienced.
2. Pill-pushing psychiatrists are a useless, corrupt lot.
3. Even if you had the 'worst' thing you could possibly have, it's better just to deal with the hand you were given and try to make the best of it; especially if it's something that'll never go away. Sympathy runs out; admiration for strength of character does not.
BUT, it shouldn't be treated like a get out of jail free card. Understanding is one thing, special treatment is another.
My situation's much like yours. I've only recently become aware of the drama, and I must confess that I'm irked by this blatant misuse of a legitimate disorder (err, the forum morons, not this comic). Since when should a slight psychological abnormality be used to justify being a belligerent idiot?
Anyway, I'd be ticked off to find out people on the Internet are using a developmental disorder as an excuse to act like a jerkass, if it wasn't so unsurprising. Pretty funny pic.
Oh, have you heard the song by MC Frontalot, "You've Got Aspergers"?
I wonder how many of them saw childhood like this: You know that something's wrong but nobody who should know (ie parents, teachers, doctors) knew, suspected, or apparently cared. These people who go about blaming Asperger's for their behavior sound like the same assholes who made childhood a living hell for those who really have it but didn't know.
So, then I'm told I should "use" this "gift". Gift? Gift that I get called Mister Spock?
...good post btw!
I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 2003, when I was 20 years old. It was nice to finally start to understand why I'm the way I am. But I agree that it's not an excuse for anything. Merely an explanation.
I also don't understand the "NT" thing. It's supposed to mean neurotypical, and I guess it's supposed to be a different way of saying "normal people," as there is no such thing as "normal." But I think it's over used.
^ Fucking relevant.
... oh screw this guy. I DON'T SEE MY CAR SPORTIN' ANY DUDE IN A WHEELCHAIR, DUMB ASS.
If I could punch someone through the internet he'd be #1 on that list auuuuuugh
But he's still young, and looking for help on aspie support groups online is probably the worst thing he could have done to gain an understanding of it.
"MOM I WON'T BE ABLE TO GET A GIRL EVER BECAUSE I'M SOCIALLY RETARDED AUGH."
I've been told I hav Aspergers Syndrome, I don't really know I have a patent distrust of Psychiatrists and Psychologists, and my Mother. Guess I let you in on how wacked out my life is, anyway. So yeah I guess I'm a little socially awkward, and blunt to a fault, but hey I've learned to get around that stuff, and I'm fairly good at reading faces, although sometimes people's serious, 'I Am Angry With You' faces make me want to laugh. And then there are the times they use a funny metaphor, and I've forgotten where I was going with this. But en-ee-weigh, I agree that blaming random stupid bullshit on having a pecularity (Disorder really isn't the word for it, considering it implies there's something patently wrong with you.)
Yes another wordy commenter, please sue, rape, pillage then burn, and kill me. I deserve it. LOL
Hell, I had trouble making friends in high school, but did I have Aspergers? NO. I WAS A FUCKING NERD. I didn't try to find a medical explination for my problem, I FOUND THE OTHER NERDS.
Kinda off topic but just something I notice.
If anything, using a neurological disorder as an excuse to be an ass hurts those who are trying to be contributing/productive members of society.
... Although this is a very funny picture either way. ^^;
The only dealing I've had negitivly with someone with Ass-burgers is someone who decided to take pictures of me while I was sleeping over at his house (he was taking me to the airport the next day) and then log onto MY messenger (which I had on my computer, in I'm away sleeping mode) and tell MY boyfriend about how "frustrated" I was and how he wanted to help me and that he wanted to do things to me but he wasn't going to. While I was sleeping.
He told me "oh, I didn't know that that would upset you" "I can't tell the difference between right and wrong in social situations"
I wrote him off as creepy and do not talk to him anymore. I don't care if he had Aspergers or if he had a second head growing out of his stomach... Creepy stalker motives are creepy stalker motives.
I have High functioning Autism and Aspergers thus, I go to a specialist school.
There's a boy in a wheelchair actually in my class who uses his wheelchair as an excuse for insulting me and another person in the school is like 'NU I CANNOT DO 2+2 CUZ I IZ ASPIE AND I IS STUPID.'
FFFFFFFFFFF.
Righteous.
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Well said!
Though I find it funny that half of the commenters were "diagnosed with it".
ALSO
I think its really funny how defensive these people get when you tell them to shut up and stop being a dick.
ALSO ALSO
Apparently true Pyromania is such a rare disorder, hardly anyone actually has it.
Was officially diagnosed with Autism myself in '96.
I totally hate people who use it as an excuse for their wrongdoings. I mean, making a 'mistake' is always possible, but most people seem to make trouble just because they can.
I would be careful about telling people who are affected more severely to simply "get over it" and "take responsibility." Most people with Asperger's are too far-removed from the culture they live in to realize when they are causing problems. You seem to have the capacity to see things from both the autistic perspective and the NT (so much as you hate that word) perspective. Most people on the autism spectrum will never be able to do that, and it is cruel to blame them for this.
I've been told I have a mild case of AS, anyway. :P
I also don't like a lot of these commenters accusing people of faking it, especially when many of us did go undiagnosed, even those of us with more obvious cases, and never got the resources we needed, plus some doctors refusing to diagnose adults so we never get the help we need. It's great that you don't need it, and that you don't feel disabled. But that isn't the case for the rest of us.
I doubt you'll see this, and if you do, you'll probably just ignore it or block me or something. I'd like an honest discussion, but furries never wanna do that. We'll see.