People who are severely affected by ASD clearly require support. Correct diagnosis requires a full team if professionals, over a period of time, not self made, social media driven parents who use labels as an excuse.
I agree that labels are used too easily. While diagnoses such as ADHD or ASD can sometimes help explain patterns of behaviour, they have increasingly become part of an industry that risks over-labelling normal human variation.
If we truly accept that everyone is unique, then by definition we are all “neurodiverse,” which raises the question of whether the idea of a clear “neurotypical” still holds any real meaning.
A diagnosis does not change the strategies required. Children still need planning, boundaries, consistency, and support tailored to their personalities. A child who dislikes change, struggles to read facial expressions, or thinks literally may have ASD—or may simply have those traits as part of who they are. In practical terms, the response is the same.
Over-reliance on diagnosis can also distract from the importance of parenting that fosters independence, emotional resilience, and problem-solving skills. If every difficulty is explained away by a label, we risk creating individuals who are less equipped to cope, adapt, and develop strategies for themselves. Supporting children should be about building capability and self-understanding, not limiting them with explanations that excuse challenge rather than preparing them for it