[Davonu]

There are many unique characters at the squares. Almost all are enjoyable to watch or easily ignored. But in my opinion, this character crosses the line. If you’ve ever seen him let out one of his blood curdling screams right behind an unsuspecting audience member, you should understand why. One person’s startled reaction right near another person swinging a wand. An incident waiting to happen.

But even just imposing that scream on others there to enjoy the square is not right. None of those other unique characters I mentioned impose themselves on the audience the way this guy does.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by TraceJustice

I have an Asperger's child. Screaming like that has nothing to do with Asperger's. They do have aggression issues sometimes if things don't go their way or you make them mad (melt downs). If this guy is just sitting there screaming for no reason (such as in a fit) then it's not Asperger's.

He isn't doing that. He's shouting out a countdown to the beat. And then on occasion he'll shout a "ah! ah! ah! ah!" instead of the countdown. And then, when the song is over, he'll shout exactly the way someone shouts when they're at a concert of their favorite band that just finished a kick-butt rendition of their favorite song. He doesn't do it for every song, he doesn't do it all night, he isn't even THERE all night. He usually gets there somewhere around 7, and leaves before 8:30, most nights. He doesn't do it at all when the band is on their break.

He also isn't there every night, some bands just don't attract his attention that others do.

What bothers me much MUCH more are the ones who sit directly behind me and talk non-stop for the entire time they're there, their voices raised so that they can hear each other over the sound of the music. We usually move, when that happens.

The seat-savers too. For THOSE folks - I'll sit down anyway and tell their "sister" that when her sibling and wife and neighbors and everyone else shows up, I'll gladly return the seat to them.

[Bob.Betty]

Originally Posted by Aviator1211

Certainly, if an individual stood in front of a performance stage and continuously screamed over the performers, that individual would be quickly ushered out of the venue. So, how many screams is acceptable? 200 per hour, 100 per hour? 50 per hour? Of course, out of respect for the band and the audience, the only acceptable and enforceable number is zero screams per hour.

We tried Spanish Springs again last night, unfortunately, the Screamer was there showing his disrespect worse than ever. If The Villages wants to revitalize Spanish Springs, perhaps they should begin by silencing the Screamer.

If you agree that zero screams per hour is the correct limit, please let the officials at the square know your feelings.

They should also not allow dogs, children and non-villagers inside the squares. And while we're at it no more line dancers. They just get in the way of those of us who just want to dance.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by sandyblanquera@gmail.com

Have you seen the complete joy that fills him? His whole self responds to the stimuli. He obviously gets something out of it. He’s smarter than all of us because he has had a lifetime of dealing with people who judge and stare, yet somehow he has learned to still get out and enjoy the square fully. He is the one who should be on here complaining about all the rude people, but there he stands conducting, dancing and being.

So, if I understand correctly, Mark is able to do what none of us can do, consider the source and file it under "meaningless" and continue on his way.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

Totally avoided the question. Nice side step.
But, back to my question. Mark has a "condition" that he can't control. He acts out in certain ways that bring him unwanted attention. He is (we assume) aware that the stimuli of the sights and sounds at the music venues trigger his actions that elicit the looks and comments that make him unhappy. Knowing all this, one wonders why he continues to choose to expose himself to stimuli that will trigger his episodes and, ultimately, make him unhappy? Is it like a drug that gives you a temporary high that you know is ultimately let you down? I know that after my third trip to emergency one hockey season, the doctor suggested I might want to quit hockey and take up a less painful game, like checkers. When I said, "or chess",she remarked that after three trips to emergency it was obvious I wasn't smart enough for chess.
So, why the need to go to a place where he doesn't want the looks or comments?

MOST of us who go to the square regularly, know Mark. All the bands know him. The bartenders in the tikki huts know him. Mark is a regular. When he's not around for a whole week at a time, we check with each other to see if any of us have seen him, because we worry for him. Just like the two folks in the cowboy hats and matching outfits who come from the Historic Side and do their couples line dance stuff for a set. The woman gets up when the canned announcement starts, and mimes out the announcement. Now, someone new to the square who doesn't realize she's a regular and LOVES the experience of being there, would say "yeah that's just a drama hog who wants the attention, she's disrupting the announcement that people should listen to, she's making fun of it, she shouldn't be allowed."

But everyone else - and by that I mean EVERYONE else - looks forward to her little performance, because it enhances the announcement and injects a little humor into it. She's not paid to do this, she just took it upon herself to do it one day, people thought it was great, so she's been doing it ever since.

Then there are those "hoppers" - the people with the spring boots that jump around. There's one woman with a pair of hoppers who looks like maybe once upon a time she knew ballet. She spins around with those things, and does kicks - and you have to be VERY careful when you're walking around, first showing up for your evening, if she's got those things on and is dancing. Otherwise you might get a leg in your face. That can be pretty disruptive too. In fact, the group of hoppers is pretty distracting - it takes our attention off the music and puts it on them. How rude and disrespectful!

And yet - they're getting their exercise and having a great time, and nothing they're doing is a barrier to the band continuing to play, and be heard, and to attract others to dancing and enjoying the music.

Mark is no different. He's not screaming, he's shouting, and he's doing it to the beat of the music. Oh and that conductor's baton? It was a gift from one of the other regulars who hangs out there. MOST people who go there, who've experienced Mark at least a few times, eventually realize he's reacting to music that fills him with joy.

For those "Christians" on this forum who might think otherwise, remember your Psalms:

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise."

Mark is filled with joy. Maybe you should learn to be joyful with him. It'll do you some good.

[I'm Popeye!]

Originally Posted by sandyblanquera@gmail.com

Is that your qualified medical opinion?

Is that your echo-human observation of someone just making a comment?

[Joe C.]

Wow! What a bunch of complainers. People should learn to give it a break. I go to the square quite often, and when I see Mark doing "his thing", all I can do is watch him until he disppears into the crowd. He is totally immersed in his own world, and enjoying himself.
As far as his screaming, well, that's what a lot of the performing bands do. He's nowhere as "loud" as most of the bands.
Good thing that there's not a gallows in the square, because it seems that lots of Villagers would like to use it. They would do well to pause and reflect that "There for the grace of God, go I".

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Marmaduke

Really?

You're a very special advocate. You won't like my response either.

Think about it! Under ADA, current college professors now have to deal with Asperger's in their classrooms.

It's something I would find extremely disturbing when trying to enjoy an evening out, let alone while teaching a college level subject during a semester of 16 weeks.
Disruptions of barking and yelling throughout the fifty minute class session X 3 days a week, over the 16 weeks is the way a colleague described it.

Students ponder their fate in the new mainstream classroom where their work is 'expected' to be complete, but the Asperger's student has an 'advocate' to 'challenge' the professor all along the way.

Put into perspective- A professor friend had a son who was adopted. He has many abilities and he had Asperger's. The family realizes the need to adapt to the very specific needs of their son to enable him to live and enjoy life.

This distinguished professor started that she would never enroll her son in a college level class even though he was protected under ADA.

Too bad Mark doesn't have an advocate like that.

Is Mark the ONLY person with Aspergers in TV? Or are their advocates fully committed, like my dedicated and knowledgeable friend and her family?

He doesn't demonstrate /most/ of the symptoms of Asperger syndrome. He demonstrates SOME symptoms of high-functioning non-specific autism.

He has empathy. He will look you in the eye when he's talking to you. While he is not "touchy-feely" he is open to affection and sincere welcoming of touch as a method of communicating emotion (hugs, fist bumps, a pat on the shoulder, etc). People with Asperger Syndrome tend to not be responsive to any of that, and some will actively avoid it.

This "barking and shouting" you refer to sounds more like Tourette Syndrome, not Asperger Syndrome. People with Asperger, as long as they aren't in a situation where a lot of noise, stress, or crowding triggers a behavioral shift, will generally be very quiet, keep to themselves, and not make much noise at all. People with Tourette Syndrome will "bark and shout" randomly, often using vulgar words without any control at all. Medication can help but usually only reduces the severity or frequency of the outbursts. It doesn't stop it completely.

Mark is responding joyfully to music. That's all it is.

[jminnis]

He's a faker. The 'tell' is that he glances backward to see who's watching him. He is annoying. He has a milk carton of water to douse himself with. He is calm and polite, though, when pushing his mother in her wheelchair....

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by jminnis

He's a faker. The 'tell' is that he glances backward to see who's watching him. He is annoying. He has a milk carton of water to douse himself with. He is calm and polite, though, when pushing his mother in her wheelchair....

He glances backward to make sure he doesn't bump into anyone. He is VERY aware of his surroundings.

It's not a milk carton. It's a gallon water jug. He mostly drinks from it. He's also calm and polite when the band takes a break, though sometimes he'll just continue twirling quietly.

[Gator_Girl]

If you pretend you are recording him on your phone he will move away, this has worked for me a few times.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

MOST of us who go to the square regularly, know Mark. All the bands know him. The bartenders in the tikki huts know him. Mark is a regular. When he's not around for a whole week at a time, we check with each other to see if any of us have seen him, because we worry for him. Just like the two folks in the cowboy hats and matching outfits who come from the Historic Side and do their couples line dance stuff for a set. The woman gets up when the canned announcement starts, and mimes out the announcement. Now, someone new to the square who doesn't realize she's a regular and LOVES the experience of being there, would say "yeah that's just a drama hog who wants the attention, she's disrupting the announcement that people should listen to, she's making fun of it, she shouldn't be allowed."

But everyone else - and by that I mean EVERYONE else - looks forward to her little performance, because it enhances the announcement and injects a little humor into it. She's not paid to do this, she just took it upon herself to do it one day, people thought it was great, so she's been doing it ever since.

Then there are those "hoppers" - the people with the spring boots that jump around. There's one woman with a pair of hoppers who looks like maybe once upon a time she knew ballet. She spins around with those things, and does kicks - and you have to be VERY careful when you're walking around, first showing up for your evening, if she's got those things on and is dancing. Otherwise you might get a leg in your face. That can be pretty disruptive too. In fact, the group of hoppers is pretty distracting - it takes our attention off the music and puts it on them. How rude and disrespectful!

And yet - they're getting their exercise and having a great time, and nothing they're doing is a barrier to the band continuing to play, and be heard, and to attract others to dancing and enjoying the music.

Mark is no different. He's not screaming, he's shouting, and he's doing it to the beat of the music. Oh and that conductor's baton? It was a gift from one of the other regulars who hangs out there. MOST people who go there, who've experienced Mark at least a few times, eventually realize he's reacting to music that fills him with joy.

For those "Christians" on this forum who might think otherwise, remember your Psalms:

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise."

Mark is filled with joy. Maybe you should learn to be joyful with him. It'll do you some good.

Good to see that information posted.

[Kittycat2]

So nice to get your diagnosis Dr aviator1211. Why condemn and criticize those who do not fit the cookie cutter mold.

[sandyblanquera@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Marmaduke

Really?

You're a very special advocate. You won't like my response either.

Think about it! Under ADA, current college professors now have to deal with Asperger's in their classrooms.

It's something I would find extremely disturbing when trying to enjoy an evening out, let alone while teaching a college level subject during a semester of 16 weeks.
Disruptions of barking and yelling throughout the fifty minute class session X 3 days a week, over the 16 weeks is the way a colleague described it.

Students ponder their fate in the new mainstream classroom where their work is 'expected' to be complete, but the Asperger's student has an 'advocate' to 'challenge' the professor all along the way.

Put into perspective- A professor friend had a son who was adopted. He has many abilities and he had Asperger's. The family realizes the need to adapt to the very specific needs of their son to enable him to live and enjoy life.

This distinguished professor started that she would never enroll her son in a college level class even though he was protected under ADA.

Too bad Mark doesn't have an advocate like that.

Is Mark the ONLY person with Aspergers in TV? Or are their advocates fully committed, like my dedicated and knowledgeable friend and her family?

Your distinguished professor friend might have been concerned about how her son would emotionally manage all the unkind behavior he would deal with. She might have also been concerned for her own career as a professor, not wanting to experience the embarrassment of colleagues’ commentary. Ultimately, we don’t really know the whole story because it’s her story. I don’t think it’s fair to assume that people with disabilities don’t deserve education and to say that is being an advocate for them. Some on the spectrum graduate valedictorian of the college class as did one of my own.

[sandyblanquera@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by sajoe

Whatever most people want to do about Mark I would also like to see be done to all the people who arrive at the squares in small groups that want to talk to each other over the music. Wouldn't it be more pleasant r to go to any of the parks and talk there instead of sitting behind me?

I don’t think “most” people wish Mark harm. Maybe it’s just a few bad apples.