Social networking is making the world smaller

There was a time when it could be extremely difficult for somebody with autism to cope with life when things got tough, such issues developing as changes in routine or regular behaviour may have knocked them out of everyday patterns which they would have lived by and believed in over many years.

Repeating familiar tasks daily is a common trait many people on the autistic spectrum share including myself, though this specific disability based ritual only acts as an example in terms of today’s post and not it’s main talking point.

For me, there were feelings deep inside for quite some time that such patterns of living that I’d developed was something which I personally felt alone.

Retrospectively of course I’ve been proven wrong with adulthood changing my blinkered view regarding our modern world, this an objective I’m quickly achieving by not only reading more information and finding out about related conditions through various media sources but also from a completely different outlet which is becoming much more accessible as technology constantly continues to evolve globally…social networking.

Beginning with MySpace, a social networking tool that broke the mould of connecting with many people in multiple nations through one single website, a trend was set where passions and friendships could blossom which may have never come to light if communication through cyberspace had never become so popular following great reviews of this early interaction platform.

Everybody suddenly had an opportunity to find out more about their fellow counterparts than they’d ever learned before by more traditional means as anything written on their profiles could easily be viewed on any computer whenever desired, whenever wanted.

These developments have changed how many communicate and learn about the world, a way of life which was slow in catching on because earlier sites were used by predominantly younger internet users though future projects such as Facebook have attracted older age groups to get involved whilst Twitter has added an edge of professionalism which hasn’t completely come across before.

As a new twist on an existing idea which has previously proved extremely popular, those who sign up on the latter of the above networks no longer have an opportunity to share confidential information like mobile telephone numbers and home addresses.

This has been applauded by many who feel much safer due to heightened personal security blocking many risks that previously bought controversy in the media, though there are also other areas where this latest venture continually breaks new ground.

Going back to an earlier point raised regarding a feeling of being alone with autism, it is through chatting with like minded people from various nations that I’ve learnt my disability can affect everybody wherever they might be.

From the United States and Denmark to New Zealand, I can recall so many conversations which have really opened my mind in realising that the world is getting smaller everyday.

One particular person that I’d like to end this particular entry by mentioning is Vicky from Australia, somebody who despite being autistic has really excelled in life and is now a proud mum who must surely be great inspiration for her children.

She’s proved that anybody can reach their aspirations despite setbacks which are created without control, something which makes her strong willpower really stand out.

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