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AIBU?

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Original poster

to ask this without expecting a backlash?

284 replies

Fleurflowering · 03/03/2026 22:14

I know that people will accuse me of being goady etc, but I would like to ask these questions without a tirade of hate being posted at me. I'm genuinely ignorant about this and want to understand it better.

I was born in 1978. When I was at school, there was a flicker of a mention of autism, but it didn't seem to be commonplace.

Did children have autism? Did ADHD exist then? Or are these new problems and why have they arisen?

Every school class seems to have children with SEND - autism being very common. But, when I was at school, there were "Remedial" classes, but behaviour was nowhere near as bad as it seems to be nowadays and teachers didn't need to differentiate lessons like they have to now. I hear so many people saying that their kids are on the spectrum, or that they themselves have autism.

I also don't remember any school refusers. Is this a new mental health symptom, or are children more autonomous and possibly less resilient nowadays?

I know I'll be flamed, but I'm not denying these conditions exist. I'm trying to learn whether they are new or not.

OP posts:
WallaceinAnderland · 03/03/2026 22:27

There used to be specialist schools for children with SEND which is why you wouldn't have seen many of them in your mainstream school.

My mother worked at a school that was referred to as a school for 'maladjusted' children. What they meant by that was behavioural.

This could have been due to autism, adha, pda, etc. but those conditions were not recognised. Also there were children who would have behaviour difficulties due to abuse and, again, it was not something recognised, talked about or investigated. They were just deemed too 'naughty' for mainstream school. Heartbreaking times.

cricketnut77 · 03/03/2026 22:26

There's way more people with adhd and autism now. Way more even than 10 years ago. Not sure what's causing it but very young children access to screens on tablets and phones is not helping

90sTrifle · 03/03/2026 22:25

I was also born in 1978 and I would have said the same - no one had autism, adhd or refused school.

However, if you think back to specific children you knew and their behaviour you will come across some that in today’s society would be labelled as having autism, adhd or being a school refuser.

I remember my mum calling out the social services as my sister bunked school a lot! I also remember a lad who literally raged kicked the teacher when he was given the part as an ugly sister in the school production. I remember a very peculiar girl, who used to talk and sing to herself, and sadly no one wanted to be her friend.

I would say society is just more aware of special needs these days, and society is more tolerant of differences. And rightly so!

Easterbunnygettingawrapping · 03/03/2026 22:25

Looking back I can assume which of my school mates had asd or adhd knowing what I know now. How the teachers treated them was utterly appalling remembering back. I am NT and even I remember crying at how much the maths teacher shouted... And it wasn't even at me!

Helplessandheartbroke · 03/03/2026 22:23

As the proud mum of a high needs autistic amazing ds, people throw it about too much now!

Autism was definitely around but undiagnosed. For example I have an uncle and I had a great auntie who both attended specialist schools in the 60s. They were classed as being 'slow' now they would have a proper diagnosis.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 03/03/2026 22:23

Also you know remedial doesn’t necessarily tie into ADHD/ASD…

LollipopLil · 03/03/2026 22:23

It existed but wasn't recognised.

My 58 year old brother has autism and he was always kept in at break time for 'daydreaming' in class.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 03/03/2026 22:22

And a relative used to escape from school at every opportunity in the 1950s. So it was all there but only now are people acknowledging it

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 03/03/2026 22:21

I’m mid 50s and was diagnosed with autism 5 years ago (and ADHD a year ago). Looking back it was obvious and several of my classmates clearly had it.

I spent 50 years of my life with hardly any friends (including at school) so yes it was a thing but no, it wasn’t recognised or tested then.