quietvoice wrote:Based upon the information I have thus far gathered, yes, I believe that they are incapable of a normal intimate relationship with a normal person (neurotypical)...
A "normal" relationship is somewhat hard to define. I prefer the term "healthy".
There is no reason to believe that parents cannot have a healthy relationship with their child, just on the basis that the child has autism. Is it a "normal" parent/child relationship? Again, I'm not a big fan of that term. Certainly the parent/child relationship is to some degree different with a neuro-typical child, but is a "healthy" relationship impossible? I don't think so. I see plenty of evidence of parents having loving, caring, healthy relationships with the autistic child and the child responding in healthy, loving ways in return.
What about siblings? Totally impossible for siblings to have a healthy relationship with each other? I think plenty of evidence suggests it is possible.
What about coworkers? Totally impossible? I think plenty of evidence suggests it is possible for those with autism to have healthy relationships with their coworkers.
So if a person with autism can have a healthy relationship with parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, friends, coworkers, etc. why the exception for this one single aspect of life?
The bottom line, they sometimes can and do have healthy long term intimate relationships. It is not impossible. I'm not saying it is "normal" or even easy. But this idea that all people with autism are some monolith, incapable from birth of any semblance of a healthy relationship I think is wrong on many levels.
Granted, Algorithm may never get to the point where he is capable of intimacy. His self defeatist attitude is pretty well ingrained at this point. He has constructed elaborate defense mechanisms to shield him from rejection. Still, twenty years is sufficient time for potential change. Twenty years is time for advancements in our understanding of autism.
Last, I'm not buying that Algorithm is so helpless, a victim of neurological wiring that he cannot help. I think this is much more an image he wishes to maintain to protect himself, to rationalize his failures.