Summary: What Genius and Autism Have in Common

This Time magazine article looked at prodigious individuals, and their similarities to those diagnosed with autism. They study was placed on eight people with different skills such as math, music, science and art. Each of these individuals showed very prominent abilities they developed at very early ages. For example, one began speaking at three months old. Another was programming computers at three years old. Not your average kids I would say.
One thing these individuals had in common was their immense working memory. Not only in their ability to remember long numbers, but more so the quantity of information in general. Like writing down the notes of a piece of music they’ve only heard with their ears. Strangely enough though, not all of these individuals had insanely higher IQ’s by any means. Though they were above average, they were not high enough to be classified as out of the ordinary.
So, what does this have to do with autism? Three of these prodigies scored high with traits that of autism. More specifically towards Asperger’s syndrome. A type of autism more known for attention to detail than anything. The child who spoke at 3 months old, he stopped talking after 18 months and did not begin speaking again until after he was two. Another example of a similarity would be that they’re both more likely to be male.
Also, autism can tend to be the result of difficult pregnancies, it was found that one of these children were affected by uterine issues during pregnancy. It can be found that prodigious individuals tend to show many autistic characteristics, but still maintain their social skills and ability to interact. Essentially, there are many links between gifted children and those diagnosed with autism. Autism doesn’t necessarily need to be looked at so negatively. We need to keep in mind that not all autism is linked to mood disorders and lack of social skills. On the other hand, autism can be connected great abilities and high intellectual qualities.

http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/10/what-child-prodigies-and-autistic-people-have-in-common/

Who Am I?
I feel like the moment most people are asked this question they immediately want to pick out the negative aspects of themselves. I know that was my automatic reaction to reading this question. Then I realize these negative qualities are something from the past, from a person who wasn’t me. The fact that I find these memories to be so ugly is because of the idea that I thought these things were who I am. When you’re a kid you think you know yourself so well, you’ve got the entire world figured out. What a bunch of idiots we are, I’m sure we’re still clueless at this point in our lives.
To stop rambling on about how I do not know who I am, I’ll give it my best effort anyways. I am loud and opinionated. I do not like associating with most people. I constantly question myself as to why I’ve become such a mellow person. I used to think I had to compete with everyone else, that I had to be better than the next person, I can’t imagine what possessed me to waste my time on something so silly. Some people in this dear class of mind still have this mindset. I am content with who I am and where I am going in life. Even though I will always and forever be an overthinker, I am okay with that. It keeps me alert, conscious of those around me, and I honestly just wouldn’t be me if I didn’t worry about something all the time.
Even though I know what’s good for me and I have a sufficient amount of common sense, I still let myself get in trouble. Sometimes you just have to say what happens, happens, and keep going about your night. I just want to have fun. I just like to spend my time with my best friend because frankly, I’m too concentrated on whose standing in front of me rather than my nitpicky mental conflicts. To feed off the need for my best friend, I have realized I am a very dependent person. I need constant reassurance and motivation because unfortunately I am not good at convincing myself of these things.
I am a good person. I am good at forgetting to think before I speak, I get crabby really easily. I only wish the best for those around me, no matter how much distaste I have for you. We all deserve to be content with ourselves. It’s up to you to decide if you will be the best you can be or tell yourself you aren’t anything much and give up too easily. As much as I want to, I won’t tell you how to live your life.

Who do people think I am?
As much as I want to go to my friends and mom to ask who they think I am as a person, I’ll figure it out myself. There are so many varied viewpoints that people have of me, I can’t even imagine what they could all be. I know my peers see me as a loud laugher, I laugh at everything. There’s Aaliyah with 27 different laughs, why is she laughing? That wasn’t even funny. Some people would say I am a good friend because I keep their secrets, I actually give them my honest opinions and criticism. Others would say I’m a snitch, I am two faced. Depending on my feeling towards you, these things are definitely accurate depictions of me.
I am full of sarcasm. Frankly sometimes people just don’t know when I am serious or being a smartass. I am hard to get along with in that aspect some days. Just like I’d like to think everyone else is, there are two versions of Aaliyah. There’s loud, happy me. Always wondering how everyone is doing and if they are okay. I’m easy to talk to, and I am apparently funny sometimes. Then there is the ‘quiet’ me. If you see this side of me I probably don’t like you, or you make me uncomfortable. I don’t want to talk to you, I don’t care about what you have to say. I wouldn’t be scared to tell you to go fly a kite either. Frankly you just aren’t my friend and I do not want to waste my time on you.
To really sum it up, people think I am a lot of things. That’s because I am a lot of things. I don’t know if you could accurately pin one personality type on me. I mean, if you don’t know who you yourself is as a person, how could you possibly tell who I am?

First Amendment Rights

So once again we are here butting heads in the world of same-sex marriage. I would definitely say it is pretty douchey of this couple to refuse to do a video shoot for the gay couple for the soul fact that they are gay. This is not a new issue though, there has always been discrimination against gays, and frankly this will probably never change. Not in our lifetime anyways. Now I’m not saying that this gay couple should let prejudice people push them around but come on. Do they really need to take this issue to court? Just let the mean videographers believe what they believe and leave it alone. I can imagine there are plenty of other videographers around to choose from. Keep in mind the videographers are losing money by refusing this job so there’s punishment enough.
I am not against gays, they can do their thing and be happy and I’ll go love my life too. I think we all know that discrimination is everywhere. Im sure this couple knew this too. They should ignore conflicts of interest such as this, walk away, and forget about these people. Let’s not be too petty now, you’ll be okay my homosexuals.

First Memory & First Lie

My First Memory

• My first memory would be me at my grandmother's home. I was almost three, my mom and I would go to visit her and she was sneaking cookies to me because she knew my mom would not like it. I only know I was this young because I was only three when she died. 

My First Lie

• The first lie I can remember was when I was about 3 or 4, I went to early headstart at this time. I remember we had little fish tanks full of fake floating fishes. they were just little plastic toys. The teachers caught my friends and I messing with them. they accused us of stealing them and I told them I did not steal even though I really did take one of these fish. I shoved it in my sock and they didn't bother me after that. 

28th Amendment

Immigrants Are Permitted to Become President

The qualifications to become president state that you must be a 'natural born citizen' and must have resided in the states for 14 years and be 35+ years of age. These rules will be revised to state all (wo)men are eligible to run for president so long as they are a legitimate citizen of this country, and have resided here for now a 20 year period. 

Given the fact that eventually, the minorities of America will become the majority. It seems reasonable to give all citizens of this country equal opportunity to run for presidency. There shall be no discrimination against immigrants. Though 14 years is a long period of time, it is only fair to prolong the years of residency of immigrants to further insure the people they have a trustworthy American running to be their leader. 

The First Amendment 

  Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the Press

•          Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

 Summarize the amendment in 3 sentences or less

•        Essentially, over the history we have learned that religion played a big role in the lives of Europeans and colonists. These people wanted to establish the rights of all religions to be practiced. Same goes for what people can say and right, everyone has a voice.

Prepare a 'cheat sheet' describing the purpose and effects of the amendment

Define any vocabulary terms (be ready to answer questions about any words or phrases you use!)

•          “to petition government for redress of grievances” is the right to make a complaint to, or seek the assistance of, one's government, without fear of punishment or retaliations. 

 This amendment provides five major freedoms:

o   Religion – intolerance of different beliefs is what drove most colonists to leave their homeland in the first place. This amendment prohibited the establishment of an official religion in the united states which safeguarded the freedom for Americans to practice their faith as they wished to. One religion could not be favored over others, everyone is to have equality.

o   Speech – in many countries, if individuals dare voice their opinions and thoughts, they will be punished by law. Even in private conversations. The first amendment ensures that people have the freedom to voice what is on their minds with no worry of reprimands by the government.

o   Press – just like our freedom of speech, we have the right to express ourselves though writings. This goes for local newspapers, magazines, online articles. Essentially, this provides the exposure of many varying viewpoints on the American people. The government cannot not control what we see and hear, we have the right to know the truth and even touchy/offensive information about what is going on around us.

o   Assembly – this protects our right to gather as groups for rallies, meetings, parades, and celebration if these assemblies are peaceful. We cannot be banned from these gathering but the government can make rules about when and where these gatherings take place. This protects our rights to be a part of any social/private groups we wish to participate in.

o   Petition of government – a petition is simply a request. This gives us the right to express ourselves to the government. Big or small, if enough people express the same point of view, government leaders may take action.

What is the historical background of this amendment (why was it made?)

•        The founders of America believed that the safety and well being of Americans was crucial for this new born country. It was an important purpose of the government to protect these rights of the people. This amendment guarantees people the freedom to think and act as they wish with no interference or unfair treatment from the government. This amendment is the foundation of the democracy we hold in this country, everyone one has the freedom to be who they want to be.

What does this amendment mean today?

•         This amendment still holds true to its original origins. It still means people are equal, have the same opportunities, and cannot be discriminated against for their beliefs and ideas.
•         Limitations on the First amendment – this amendment does not give people the right to put our people or government into danger. These liberties are to be used responsibly. You are not to interfere with the rights of others or lie.  
• Slander and libel is not permitted.

Examples of current issues involving this amendment.

•          1965 – Mary Beth Tinker – her and other students wore black armbands in mourning for those lost in the Vietnam war. They were suspended from school but when the case was brought to the Supreme Court, it was ruled that they were expressing their freedoms under the first amendment and that the school was violating these rights.
•          1968 – Matthew Fraser – when on stage promoting a fellow student for student council, he used many sexual innuendos and obscene gestures. This cased students to retaliate and he later admitted to these acts. He was then banned from speaking at graduation and later sued the school for violating his first amendment rights. 

US: The weather any season of the year.
CS: Coca Cola
UR: Enjoyment of Coke no matter the temperature/time of year. (hot in the summer, cold in the winter)
CR: You will like the Coke.