Mr Pickles
Posted: Tue May 14, 2024 10:29 pm
Some thoughts on a random person I came to know who seems to have Asperger Syndrome. It illustrates some harsh realities - especially how those who really are high-functioning autistic differ from the media view.
When I first encountered Mr Pickles in my local shop (now closed down), he struck me as very normal and even having something going for him. He dressed and looked like a continental, a light suit jacket and neat, dark hair. A bit like a young French man. For some reason, he smelled very strongly of vinegar so it was assumed he worked in a pickle factory. However, my Indian friend, who has a very autistic son, told me the smell could be medication. Anyway, it soon became clear to me Mr Pickles wasn't that normal at all. He tended to act strange and especially stared at the female staff. One of them was virtually a neighbour of his and said he tended to stare at her in the street."He just creeps me out!" she said.
Now, as I saw it, Mr Pickles was really harmless and his staring pointed to a lack of precise orientation needed in social skills. True, he would be attracted to these females he stared at but didn't know how to hide his expressions - as neurotypicals do. He also sometimes lingered and hesitated in the shop, looking awkward. So, the female staff disliked him. I thought it was kind of sad too when he gave them an Xmas card and it wasn't at all appreciated.
One day, I was surprised to see Mr Pickles enter the store with friends. Myself, I have none so it struck me he was actually in a group. However, that only lasted a few days and then the friends no longer accompanied him. I suspect over time, Mr Pickles got worse and more isolated, just as is often the case as the reality of autistic conditions consolidates.
The most uncomfortable truth I find is that people with Asperger's are disliked, similar to the fictional Carrie White. You'd be amazed by how much difference subtle body and facial language makes, as well as mode of communication. In around 90 per cent of cases, Asperger Syndrome isn't compensated in the individual sufficiently to make the condition in any way a plus. Most wind up unemployed, unmarried and partly shunned. I'd rate Mr Pickles as about mid level, neither mild symptoms or critical.
When I first encountered Mr Pickles in my local shop (now closed down), he struck me as very normal and even having something going for him. He dressed and looked like a continental, a light suit jacket and neat, dark hair. A bit like a young French man. For some reason, he smelled very strongly of vinegar so it was assumed he worked in a pickle factory. However, my Indian friend, who has a very autistic son, told me the smell could be medication. Anyway, it soon became clear to me Mr Pickles wasn't that normal at all. He tended to act strange and especially stared at the female staff. One of them was virtually a neighbour of his and said he tended to stare at her in the street."He just creeps me out!" she said.
Now, as I saw it, Mr Pickles was really harmless and his staring pointed to a lack of precise orientation needed in social skills. True, he would be attracted to these females he stared at but didn't know how to hide his expressions - as neurotypicals do. He also sometimes lingered and hesitated in the shop, looking awkward. So, the female staff disliked him. I thought it was kind of sad too when he gave them an Xmas card and it wasn't at all appreciated.
One day, I was surprised to see Mr Pickles enter the store with friends. Myself, I have none so it struck me he was actually in a group. However, that only lasted a few days and then the friends no longer accompanied him. I suspect over time, Mr Pickles got worse and more isolated, just as is often the case as the reality of autistic conditions consolidates.
The most uncomfortable truth I find is that people with Asperger's are disliked, similar to the fictional Carrie White. You'd be amazed by how much difference subtle body and facial language makes, as well as mode of communication. In around 90 per cent of cases, Asperger Syndrome isn't compensated in the individual sufficiently to make the condition in any way a plus. Most wind up unemployed, unmarried and partly shunned. I'd rate Mr Pickles as about mid level, neither mild symptoms or critical.