#ActuallyAutistic trending

[gorgeousjewel]

I feel I will be flamed for this but I really would like to genuinely understand.

The hashtag #ActuallyAutistic is trending this evening and I think I know what it means - it's for those who have had a proper diagnosis and are a supportive and collective group. (please correct me if I'm wrong)

What I don't understand is what do people who use this hashtag want to achieve?

What are others doing wrong (beyond funding, support, recognition etc..)?

What can I and others do better?

Do #uthenticallyAutistic follows think that there are clear divisions and that those described as "Neurotypical" have an easy/different life?

Genuinely interested and would love to know more - please help me understand

If autistic traits weren’t problematic - then autism wouldn’t be a problem would it?

I'm autistic with plenty of recognisable traits, and I don't view any of them as problematic. They're just a part of who I am. They might well be atypical, but I perceive them as perfectly normal for me, and I certainly don't view my autism as 'problematic', or other autistic people as 'problematic', or their autistic traits as 'problematic'.

The statement is a bit silly really, because it's clearly intended to prove something by inviting the reader to agree or disagree, when in reality the truth of the statement depends only on whether it's accepted by the reader or not.

Actuallyautistic is used a lot by teenagers and young adults who have been told by doctors and their parents that their autism, and their behaviours that derive from it, are a problem to be fixed rather than a difference to be managed and accommodated.

Many neurodivergent people don’t want to be “normal” - they just want to be accepted as they are.

What is wrong with self-ID? When getting an accurate assessment is so intensely difficult with the nhs, why not?

Meanwhile the severely autistic people get looked over while the "actually autistic" crowd tie themselves up in knots over semantics

What is wrong with self-ID? When getting an accurate assessment is so intensely difficult with the nhs, why not?

^^ can't access help or support. More importantly might not be autistic. Even drs don't diagnose themselves.

www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/10000-autistic-people-to-take-part-in-the-uks-largest-study-of-autism

The study link

An example of a concerned reaction

There's a study (requiring DNA) plea at the moment for families with autism. Not for me and mine, but I guess a lot of hashtags will be for sharing that.

It's quite weird that there are people doing the more autistic than thou crap. So it's my normal to get told that I don't look autistic by NT people AND now autistic people. There might be an online idea of some cohesive unit, but much like my experience of being bisexual - there is no community, just cliques.

@MrsMcGarry Actuallyautistic is used a lot by teenagers and young adults who have been told by doctors and their parents that their autism, and their behaviours that derive from it, are a problem to be fixed rather than a difference to be managed and accommodated. Many neurodivergent people don’t want to be “normal” - they just want to be accepted as they are.

Thanks - this is interesting as those who use it (work wise) are a lot older - say 50+ This could just be my work environment but interesting that may be a "younger generation" thing

Another. The upshot basically being “the case has not been adequately made how this research will help autistic people, but it is clear how it could harm them”

@Greenmarmalade

What is wrong with self-ID? When getting an accurate assessment is so intensely difficult with the nhs, why not?

Everything is wrong with it. Everything.

You can't just decide you are autistic any more than you can decide you are diabetic or asthmatic or schizophrenic. It actually baffles me that people think this is in any way acceptable, In particular because of your reason 'NHS' - what the fuck? So we should all just bypass the busy professionals and just diagnose ourselves

Meanwhile the severely autistic people get looked over
Your definition of severely autistic may differ to others. Perhaps you could be clearer please.

I too looked at the forms and will not be taking part, nor my family. I am diagnosed.

@TumbyTumm - in my opinion screenshots are not evidence or arguments and are also very identifying. I know you are using them to illustrate a point and the on-going argument but I would rather reference something that is not an individual's social media account. Personally would not be sharing links like this without their permission

It’s twitter - public domain

People post on twitter precisely to get heard 🤷🏻‍♀️

@TumbyTumm - nah that's not how it works - post for yourself not someone else; esp not here

Anyway - the argument is only on MN.

Actually Autistic twitter is pretty united with being suspicious and disappointed.

And to repeat: the conversation is zero about diagnosed/self Id

It's more about ensuring that autistic people have a say in studies, projects, etc about them (us). To ensure that autistic voices are heard and understood from personal experience too. It is also really just used for connecting with other autistic folk though.

And to repeat: the conversation is zero about diagnosed/self Id

You don't get to silence people. I raised a valid point re diagnosed/self ID. It's allowed to be discussed.

@gorgeousjewel you asked for an explanation of why #aa was trending.

I have provided an extensive explanation in good faith.

You are unhappy that I didn’t paraphrase other peoples tweeting #actuallyautistic when giving examples of #actuallyautistic concerns?

In any case - I hope you are clearer regarding your original query

What really pisses me off about threads like this is that there is still so much ignorance about autism and people are asking why others make videos about it? When we have to hear day in, day out about how 'everyone's a little bit autistic' and we shouldn't let our autism define us (f off)

Functioning labels encourage ableism end of. I'm autistic myself and I have 2 diagnosed daughters.

@anotherdayanothertea - sure - discuss self ID - but it is not relevant to the subject of the thread.

The OP asked why the hashtag is trending.

The hashtag is trending because of the research study.

Also to be honest I do agree with self ID. I was finally diagnosed in my late teens after struggling through high school. What got me by was self ID and using methods discussed online to manage my undiagnosed autism as I managed exam stress with no accessibility requirements met.

I didn't outright say, 'Oh, I'm definitely autistic' until I was diagnosed, but I did fight tooth and nail for a referral for a diagnosis, and then got one quite quickly once I was in the right hands. Accessing a referral is a mindfield and it's important that those considering an autism diagnosis have access to resources too. I would have crashed and burned without them.

@inmyslippers

It really isn’t to do with diagnosed/self identify.

It may not be about that, but it has become very much used by the self iders to state they are autistic.

^^ definitely the self diagnosed have latched onto it. Blah blah self diagnosis is valid...proceeds to tell people they can't call themselves Aspergers

I've encountered this offline as well.

Apparently it's okay for these young adults to tell us we're not allowed to use the terminology that was used back when we went through the diagnostic process. Sod off with that, thanks.

*l you asked for an explanation of why #aa was trending.

I have provided an extensive explanation in good faith.

You are unhappy that I didn’t paraphrase other peoples tweeting #actuallyautistic when giving examples of #actuallyautistic concerns?

In any case - I hope you are clearer regarding your original query*

I totally appreciate your reply and you have illuminated issues I was not aware of - thank you.

Sharing a screenshot of a tweet from someone not on this threat where I can see their age, handle, personal details and comments is not "paraphrasing anyone" - it is leaving individuals who are not on this thread open to identification.