to think MN is an anti autism site

Women and girls have been overlooked in autism diagnosis for far too long. Better awareness should lead to greater understanding and support, not dismissal of their experiences.

Not my experience. Fully ND family here.

I do think that the social issues that autism causes in real life can be seen on posts and threads on here too.

Plenty of similar issues on Instagram/tiktok too.

I agree that it's important to have open discussions, but they should be respectful and based on evidence rather than assumptions. Autism and ADHD affect people very differently, and increased awareness, particularly of how autism presents in women and girls, has helped many people who would previously have been overlooked access the support they need.
It's absolutely reasonable to debate diagnosis, services and support, but dismissing or trivialising people's lived experiences helps no one. I hope conversations can stay balanced, compassionate and respectful, even when people have different views.

I’m going to be honest. I don’t think it’s anti autism as such. I think autism, and mentions of autism, have increased so much that it’s almost impossible to read a thread - about anything - without a mention of autism or ADHD. I clicked on a thread about building extensions yesterday, and guess what - a post mentioning autism on the first page. Every health or behaviour complaint ‘could it be autism’ ‘are you adhd’ ‘I’m autistic and…’

I started a thread yesterday asking teachers how many children have a diagnosis in their class (didn’t mention ND in the title so as not to attract the autism bashing hawks). Guesses range from 5% (bottom end) to at least half. These are not SEN schools. Some posters then turned up to say the thread was ridiculous, the responses must not be representative etc as these posters simply cannot accept their child’s diagnosis is now so common. Presumably because they feel it undermines it. However - that doesn’t change fact.

Given all of the above, it isn’t surprising that people now feel acquainted enough with autism to question it in a way they wouldn’t a less common condition. Like transgender.

I don't agree mumsnet is anti autism, I've received lots of good advice on here

From my own experience on here, I think if anything some mumsnetters are too pro autism 😅

I'm autistic, so is my child and I have seen lots of posts on here where posters will excuse a high functioning verbal child's abusive behaviour on autism ....... I'm not talking about a non verbal globally delayed autistic child, I'm talking about someone just as high functioning as I am

There was a post a while ago where a very tall highly functioning autistic teenage lad who went to martial arts and attended mainstream school, attacked his auntie whilst she was babysitting and loads of posters/ his mum blamed his autism..... it wasn't his autism, he never attacked his martial art coaches or anyone outside of the home, just his female family members behind closed doors,

I've found lots of helpful advice on here but I have also seen how some posters will do their absolute best to excuse any bad behaviour from a child because their8 autistic

There is quite a bit of it, especially when dealing with ND teens, who are anxious / EBSA etc. lots of “in my day”, or “switch the WiFi off”, or “just make them go in” etc. Very little understanding of the complexities of dealing with co-morbid symptoms.

That said, the SN boards are great .. it tends to be AIBU that attracts the arseholes.

I see autism/audhd discussed more on this site than I have ever experienced/observed in the real world.

It’s mentioned on almost every thread…… regardless what the post is about!

I wouldn't say MN is anti autism.

I actually think there are worrying views expressed on a lot of topics- mental health, ageism, immigration spring to mind atm but of course there are others. There are a lot of intolerant posters. And there is a lot of ignorance displayed.

But I suppose that's what happens on discussion forums. And it's up to more balanced, tolerant, and informed posters to counter the unpleasant posts.

I think MN is a generally supportive site with a number of users as you describe. I have autism and I've had a lot of support. I think users just reflect the general public and sadly many people don't believe in neurodivergence.

No I can’t say that is my opinion. But I think it’s what “hits a nerve” that you notice more. I would say it’s more anti mother in law and grandma one, but is that because they are the posts I read more? Because I’m both a mother in law and a grandma?

YABU
Sometimes it seems Mumsnet is solely a site for parents of children with autism or ADHD. I suppose it's skewed as people need more parenting help and support when they deal with ND.

I don't think many people are "anti-autism". It is after all a diagnosed condition and its existence can't be denied.

I think there is space for some debate about the extent to which society has to make adjustments for everyone with a ND diagnosis, and also the extent to which life is harder for ND vs NT. I understand that these subjects may be uncomfortable, but they are valid questions.

Personally I've learned a lot about ND via posts on this site. It has given me an insight into different presentations and more compassion for those struggling to access support and diagnosis.

At the same time, I also feel that for some people with ND there needs to be an appreciation that there is not an unlimited amount of support available and that NT people can also struggle with many aspects of life and that society cannot be expected to fully compensate for all ND traits.

although i imagine the tide is somewhat turning, due to the increase in diagnosis and coverage

MN isn't anti autism.

Read all the pages telling you how to get a diagnosis, DLA, support etc.

how can the opinions of so many people make an anti autism site?
yabu

Being on the internet and a remote way of connecting with people, MN has a higher than average rate of representing autistic women or parents/ mums of autistic children that struggle to find connection in their RL communities.

There are threads and posts by ignorant people/ trolls, but the majority of responses are not anti-autism.

MN helped me to join the dots together about my son's behaviour patterns and resulted in his autism diagnosis. Without MN, it would have taken years longer as his primary school were utterly oblivious (even after NHS diagnosis) and he'd probably still be on a waiting list now rather than diagnosed 6 years ago.

No, haven’t found this at all infact the very opposite. Yes you have the occasional troll but not very often. Strange you came to this conclusion.

I know a couple of adults who I went to school with. In no way were they considered differently abled, they were on par with their peers academically, socially did well etc. Having crossed paths with them 25 years later I've been astonished to hear that they have paid privately to receive diagnoses of autism and adhd and are too anxious to work. It certainly hasn't devastated their mum and dad.

It might be skepticism about the rapid expansion of the label to include what everyone considers completely normal people. A belief that labels are sought because they confer certain benefits.

Agree

I’ve definitely noticed an increase in hostility towards autistic adults and children who aren’t non-verbal.

I have a DD with autism and I don’t recognise this. I don’t post much about my daughter but I have found lots of helpful posts, particularly when we were going through the wait for a diagnosis here and generally I find it supportive.

There are going to be mixed opinions and this is going to be reflected politically. There is a lot of debate about the magnitude of SEND funding in my locality and unfortunately many people are becoming a little more hostile to neurodivergence due to the fact parties such as Reform are constantly highlighting costs to the tax payer.

I think there is support for those who have disabled children but also concern about some parents that have used neurodivergence of any severity to gain advantage for their children e.g. free school transport.

There are a mix of opinions on all topics. It’s not an anti-autism site.

I think there are a lot of anti posters on any topic on MN, but generally knowledge and truth prevails.

I think that’s a very sweeping statement to make of what ten million people? If anything I see constant suggestions someone is ND, autistic, adhd for many common behaviours, so no I don’t see it,