To understand that Autism is NOT a mental illness?

[Oxfordblue]

Just that really, someone posted that autism is a mental illness.
I understand autism to be a different way of thinking/perceiving etc. Not an illness that one may or may not recover from

(My daughter is waiting for an assessment for autism & I would hate her to feel that she 'has a mental illness' & actually find that statement so disempowering. The world needs people to think differently, to challenge ideas that maybe set in stone & blur the idea that one size fits all.)

Good allies, though, so thank you.

It’s a personality disorder

Says the voice of ignorance.

zzzzz I find it fairly frustrating that someone who reportedly Has an ASC child is so tone deaf to the politics of it.

Or is just my D.C. who are “reported”?

@zzzzz

They are being marginalised by the very people who should be their staunchest allies.

And one of the reasons that is happening is because ND adults are being disparaged by NT adults.

This isn't the ND Olympics - ND adults (especially women) are TRYING, in many areas to stand up for ND girls and young women, and are being pushed out of the conversation.

We've been there. We KNOW what it's like. But we're being talked over by people who should know or want better.

This thread really is something else! Usual arguments between those at opposite ends of the spectrum. Nothing will ever be done to help others understand the condition when behaviour like this is the norm.

@TerfsUp - I've seen @MeTooDear on other threads, I'm of the opinion they like trolling AS threads.

@spader1987 so what do we do then?

Why do you say autism is not a mental health condition TerfsUp

Because it's a neurological condition - not a mental health condition.

Here's a tip: don't talk about matters you know nothing about.

Thanks HardAsSnails I follow that argument and see the sense.
I actually think the growing understanding of the brain will force changes in mental health across the board. As the author says, the issues arise when sitting alongside mental-ill-health.
I assume the argument is similar for many conditions currently sitting under the mental health umbrella.

TerfsUp I have a tip for you - don't be so fucking rude.

Teggun, I agree, we are learning more and more about the aetiology of mental health conditions and there's still a way to go, but there seems to be much stronger genetic and neurological foundations than previously thought.

@soddingunicorns Im not going to pretend I have all the answers because I don't. Personally all I want is for my son to be accepted into society, I want the same for all people on the spectrum. Until we change our attitudes to each other no one else is going to change either. We'll continue in this cycle arguing with each other instead of educating the rest of society.

I've read this thread with interest as it's developed as my DD1 (13) is autistic and it really has opened my eyes. She used to not communicate so I would have to speak to everyone about what was happening with her or I thought was happening.

She's more vocal now with recognising her own thoughts and feelings, corrects me if I get something wrong. This thread has made me realise though that I am sometimes still saying what I think because I'm so used to speaking for her after several years when she is able to speak for herself when we give her the time, patience, understanding and opportunity to.I

It's not fallen on dead (or deaf) ears.

Ted

I want the same for my children. I want the same for myself too.

My default defence is attack. I don’t know any other way. I’ve spent my life defending myself.

@ThinkingTed you sound wonderful.

There are at least 3 autistics in my house, (me and two boys) with two others being referred for assessment.
I wish it was a joyous life with us all getting on in a lovely autistic household. Unfortunately it's a mix of very different needs which usually exacerbate the anxiety and tricky behaviour of others.
I love them all very much, but it's not all light and love, far from it! Fight club would be a better description.
I wouldn't like a world with only autistics, I'd like a world where there was better acceptance that people are different and have diverse needs.

Before I was diagnosed I was ds2's main advocate, because although he could tell me how he was feeling and could show me how distressed and horrible he felt, he couldn't show or tell anyone else. At that point I was considered a NT mother, and I knew his needs more than anyone else. I have not one problem with primary carers being the expert on their child, and I find it bizarre that some would ignore their voice when doing so means a child is probably not supported.

I do have a problem with people whose main experience of autism is their neighbour's cousin, or from a poor quality teacher training session, then acting like they know autism inside out.

(Those are thank you flowers not sympathy flowers)

Quite alright zzz; a misunderstanding.

I wish it was a joyous life with us all getting on in a lovely autistic household.

Oh Christ no I didn’t mean to suggest it was joyous and perfectly smooth. Far from it. Just smoother (far far smoother) than “life outside” and the constant negotiations with noise, metaphor, smells, assumptions, drama etc.

@spader1987 - who do you think should take ownership, then?

Genuine question.

I have not one problem with primary carers being the expert on their child, and I find it bizarre that some would ignore their voice when doing so means a child is probably not supported.

I wasn’t remotely talking about advocacy for a child’s needs.( I specifically spoke about parenting and advocacy.) I’m talking about disability politics, identity, and the autistic community.

Battleax you’ve said it all so much better than I could manage, but yes. All of it.

Thanks. Not that it ever gets us any further forward

My children are maskers, home is where they let off steam. I could never call it smoother [gri