To think people forget that autistic people grow into adults?

[BobblyQuim]

There's so many threads on here where people's behaviour is described as odd, crazy, creepy, weird, and so on for not being as the OP or people replying would expect. Today for example, I've seen two threads were one woman was described as an oddball for putting a handbag in a plastic bag and another is an overreacting drama queen for her OTT reaction to some upset in class.

There's so much vitriol on these types of threads towards someone who has acted in an unusual way. Does anyone ever consider there may be a reason for their unusual behaviour? Like autism?

I know not everyone that gets written about on here will be autistic but statistically it's likely that some of them are. Autistic children grow into autistic adults. They are out there in all walks of life. It might be nice to bear in mind sometimes when writing someone off as weird, a drama queen, an attention seeker etc. Autistic people don't just cease to exist at aged 18.

AIBU to think that people seem to forget that?

NutElla5x if someone can walk but finds it difficult or painful or needs to take frequent rests would you think it is not needed to acknowledge their difficulty or provide extra support?

My experience is that a lot of people who are mildly on the spectrum adapt very well and learn to adjust their behaviour as they grow older, thats partly why for example many girls and women are undiagnosed. and those who have it more severely are more obvious. I think some people with autism maybe dont realise or say that? Its hidden and unless they themselves realiseit and say it we cant be expected to guess because some people are actually dramatic and rude anyway.

Some people are creepy, and some are arses, I would say the proportion of those who are autistic is likely to be very very small.

This.

I agree, Autistic children, grow into Autistic adults, it does not go away at 18. However, the treat you described where the cleaner put her handbag in a plastic bag which the op accidently threw away, does not mean she is Autistic 🤔, she just might have been careless.

We should all try to be kind and avoid overreacting to odd behaviour, especially when it does not directly affect us.

However, I don't think it is reasonable to expect people to make allowances for antisocial, rude or offensive behaviour on the grounds that the perpetrator might be autistic. The majority of badly behaved people are not autistic. And indeed, not all autistic people display antisocial behaviour.

Just popping on to say that my cleaner is not autistic.

Valid point re kids versus adult support.

@Lilostitch

" a lot of people who are mildly on the spectrum"

Please see HardAsSnails post on the previous page

@blanktimes i did and i dont really see the point.

Just want to point out to those moaning about everyone being autistic these days hmm that you don't get a diagnosis unless you have 'significant impairments'. Just because you can't see the 'impairments' doesn't mean they're not there

I thought there were different spectrums though?

NutElla5x if someone can walk but finds it difficult or painful or needs to take frequent rests would you think it is not needed to acknowledge their difficulty or provide extra support?

I don't really see the comparison.I'm just wondering how helpful it is to slap labels on people.I would worry that it might hold them back.

I don't really see the comparison.I'm just wondering how helpful it is to slap labels on people.I would worry that it might hold them back.

It’s not slapping labels on people it’s giving them a diagnosis.

NutElla there are indeed many spectrums, but there is only one autism spectrum and you're only on it if you are autistic.

If a 'label' means someone can do or access something that they previously couldn't, surely that's a good thing?

Maybe this article will help you understand how support can increase and sustain achievement and autonomy:
network.autism.org.uk/knowledge/insight-opinion/how-i-use-my-social-care-budget

At the end of the day NutElla it's probably better to listen to those of us with the 'labels' rather than making ignorant judgments about our lives.

Research released at this year's bit autism science conference found that 'masking' (ie hiding) your autism is a massive risk predictor for suicide. Muddling along and trying to fit in kills people.

big autism science conference (INSAR)

But generally people don't really give a shit about disabled people dying prematurely.

@DeadHerring, fantastic post. You put your argument so clearly (and I agree with you). Thank you.

Another link to go tonafter hardassnails post the-art-of-autism.com/understanding-the-spectrum-a-comic-strip-explanation/

I look at people very differently since I had a child with asd- particularly older anti social looking men who I would have once thought creepy - everyone who looks a bit vulnerable. I don’t judge anymore.

My experience of an autistic child / now adult aged early 20s. Non verbal, still tries to escape, like to be naked most of the time. Still obsessed with Thomas toys and trains in general. I agree that people almost assume that the child will grow out of it or it will miraculously disappear into adulthood.

YABU. Just because someone is odd doesn't mean that they are autistic. And being diagnosed autistic is not a blanket excuse for behaving badly. People have all kinds of inherent personality traits that they are expected to control. It is part of being an adult. Certainly none of the Austin adults I know use their autism as an excuse to behave badly.

Is this thread a joke? Some sort of reverse?

There are ALWAYS people on those threads - on nearly any thread about someone else's behaviour - bleating that it may be autism. It's insulting to those of us who actually do have autism and we really do not need more of it.

Do you feel concerned when your Dr tells you you have Asthma?
What's with all the stupid comparisons? Asthmatics are given medication which relieves their symptoms and potentially saves their lives,so of course a diagnosis is helpful.

WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU THINK IS SO FUCKING SHAMEFUL ABOUT BEING DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM?????
Who said there was anything shameful about having autism?Stop being so fucking defensive.I just worry that so many kids are being diagnosed that I wonder if they are being misdiagnosed and how helpul that would be for them.

Racecar, I gave an example upthread of a situation where I as an autistic adult behave badly. Being unaware of how loudly (or quietly) I am speaking is completely unacceptable behaviour for an adult. Shouting falls under many zero-tolerance policies about abuse towards staff, it's that serious.

Unfortunately for me, it's part of my autism. Hiding in the house just in case I accidentally shout at someone would be a massive shame.