To understand that Autism is NOT a mental illness?

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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.)

@zzzzz aye, that’s true. But Battleax said it in terms of labels, and how they want to be referred to. In that context, absolutely their opinion trumps everyone else’s.

But so often it’s the NT carers who are determined to silence autistic voices because it doesn’t fit with their experience, or dismiss it as not as serious or not as severe. And that is always wrong, and unfair.

Also wish I’d thought of Battleax’s caveat, because I fully agree with that too.

But Battleax said it in terms of labels, and how they want to be referred to. In that context, absolutely their opinion trumps everyone else’s.

Yes. Sorry if that was unclear.

Equally, I understand that other autistic people might arrive at a different conclusion about terms to mine, but ultimately any autistic person able to form a view speaks with greater authority on the subject.

And I don’t denigrate the parenting or caring role at all in saying that, because I’ve fought as many tribunals, hunted down as many turkey dinosaurs, cut out as many labels and tackled as much bullying as the next parent of an autistic child and I know how very hard it is.

I’m going to print and laminate this.

I’m fairly ambivalent about the idea that verbal autistics are the purest voice of autism.

What do you mean? I don’t understand the purest part?

It is both neurological and mental but it is not an illness.
The neurology of the brain is different so the mind functions differently.
My dd prefers 'disorder' to 'condition' . I think in the way zzzzz described. Reminded me of Eric Morecambe saying he was playing all the right notes - not necessarily in the right order . She also happily refers to herself both as autistic and having autism .

I don’t think having a condition makes you an expert in that condition.

No I’m not claiming expertise.

I’m claiming to know what it feels like to have autism.

And contrary to bored’s point upthread, I’ve always known what that “thing” felt like, long before I had a diagnosis.

So while I fully accept that parents’ experiences of autism are hugely important, I don’t like being lectured to by NT parents of ASC children about the experience of being autistic.

I disagree Battleax I’m not sure being within does give you the clearest view and I’m fairly ambivalent about the idea that verbal autistics are the purest voice of autism.

I see that as analogous to the white parent of a mixed race child condescending to a mixed race adult about their lived experiences.

And I think less of you for saying it.

I'm an expert on my own child though Battleax and how it affects him ,and us I'm not an expert on autism but im an expert on my own child's version of autism which may well be very different to yours.

well quite zzzzz

It is classed as a disability. It is inate. It is not caught or caused by vaccines, circumstances or any other shit you want to "blame". It cannot be "cured" It is a neurological difference. Our brains are wired differently. Some autistic people find life harder than others. We all struggle in some way.

We are prone to mental illness but autism itself is not and never has been classed as a mental illness.

As I said, the opinion of ANYONE with autism (about autistic identity and terms) holds more weight than the opinion of ANYONE without autism.

I can see the impossibility of communication for some autists complicated that, but it’s stilk essentially true.

It is both neurological and mental but it is not an illness.

It is NOT a mental health condition. It is a neurological condition.

I think less of articulate autistics who dismiss and marginalise the less articulate and non-verbal.

Which I haven’t done.

the opinion of ANYONE with autism (about autistic identity and terms) holds more weight than the opinion of ANYONE without autism.

Yep. I have autism. NTs who try to tell me about autism because their child has autism do one.

I think less of articulate autistics who dismiss and marginalise the less articulate and non-verbal

Yes, me too, and I'm one of those articulate autistics. I am really quite sick of it tbh.

I will also add that those saying how wonderful an all-autistic world would be clearly have a very rose-tinted view and don't live with other autistics!

absolutley @HardAsSnails.

As I said, the opinion of ANYONE with autism (about autistic identity and terms) holds more weight than the opinion of ANYONE without autism.

In your opinion. I've learned as much from non-autistics as I have from autistics. There are ignorant arseholes in both camps.

There are four of us (autists) in this house Hard. It all works very smoothly because, despite differing presentations, we’re essentially an aspie friendly mini-society free of fluorescence, or excessive metaphor or slimy foods.

Obviously, your mileage may vary.

But just because it's easy for you, Battleax, you can't extrapolate that it will be easy for others. For many of us it is far from easy.

and also Battleaxe autism doesn't just stop at Aspergers , those with autism that also have associated learning disabillities will have a very different experience to you its not worse or better but different .