... to share this explanation of the Autism spectrum

[KihoBebiluPute]

This isn't a thread-about-a-thread but I wrote a version of the below in response to another thread that then got deleted before I could post it. I think it's useful information so thought I would start a new thread that isn't about one particular person but just general info.

Posting in AIBU because the original thread was here though.

The Autism spectrum isn't a line from "mild" to "severe" - it's like there's a colour wheel, and each person's symptoms are like a different cut-out shape across different sections of this wheel, so no two people with autism have exactly the same issues to contend with. There isn't a "mild" end of the spectrum which is almost the same as being a neurotypical person - NT people are not even on the same colour wheel at all. Terms like "mild" and "severe" are really unhelpful because they tend to refer to how much the issue is perceived by a neurotypical person. Someone can have a particular issue quite severely in terms of how much stress and difficulty it causes them, but may mask the issue. Obviously some people have much more significant challenges than others and may have additional conditions as well as the ASD, but people who are able to function to some extent in society don't have a less intense type of the condition, they are just affected in a different way.

Some people with autism can articulate the torture and experiences to some degree, and some non verbal people with autism and SLD are not as aware of their differences and have a better level of wellbeing and they personally don't feel as affected.. and in these cases it's often the parents doing the care 'work' that think their children are more autistic but that's a reflection on how they feel about their caring. The diagnosis of ASD is for the person who has it, not the impact on others, and each person with ASD is entitled to their diagnosis, regardless of how other non autistic people feel about it.

This is a prime example of why those with the previous diagnosis are upset with the new one size fits all. Imagine any other group of disabled people with full 24 hour care needs being spoken about like this. Dementia sufferers and brain trauma having their carers told they know nothing, it’s not about them. If you honestly believe that about mental health you need to spend time with the group you are talking about.

@febbfad your post is a prime example of why hf people's opinion should not be the voice of the full autism community. Parent blaming isn't the way forward and belittling the needs of those severely effected and the voice of their parent/ carer is actually ableist. I posted a link earlier in the thread to an article which explains this very well.

Are you seriously that insecure? Nooooot even sure if insecure is the right word when talking about disability. You have demonstrated my previous point about people with fewer needs wanting to be classed as the same as those with severe needs.

Do you honestly believe that someone with profound autism is just as affected by autism as someone who is married and works etc?

I wonder what the impact of autism would be if carers stopped caring for them? Would that change the way you measure it because they aren't supported?

I do feel that as well as ld which not all people with autism severe or not have. A person with autism can have any other mental health/ neurological disorder too just as anyone else could.

The nooottt wasn't intentional

febbfad

what an utterly disbursing post. It pours out of every word how much you look down on those the more severe and profound forms of autism.

Do you honestly believe that someone with profound autism is just as affected by autism as someone who is married and works etc?

the way I read febbfad, they actually think that those with severe ASD is less affected as they are too disabled to notice, lucky them, eh?

...and in these cases it's often the parents doing the care 'work' that think their children are more autistic but that's a reflection on how they feel about their caring.

and what would these threads by without a dig by some HF arse at some parents of profoundly autistic children... seriously.

There's no way I'm engaging in this thread. Do you really think this toxic 'debate' helps anyone.

Take your frustrations out on the psychiatrists who sign off the diagnostic manuals. Not autistic people, however they are affected.

My ds has recently been diagnosed. The amount of family and friends that have said to me (well meaning I assume) oh we are all on the spectrum 🙄
I just don't know what to say to that.

My son was referred to CAMHS for an assessment by a speech therapist and the SENCO at school. He was described as having ‘autistic traits’ in their report. I have never been exactly sure what this means? He wasn’t diagnosed as being autistic. How would this fit in the discussion. Or is it meaningless and badly worded bu the psychologist?

3wild, a lot of people have some traits. but to get a diagnosis of autism, you need to meet a certain diagnostic threshold. sounds like your DS has some traits but not enough to get him over the diagnostic threshold, i.e. he doesn't have ASD. Does this make sense?

TheVolturi I usually say something like, sorry, that's not correct, anyone can have a few traits that don't affect them much, but it's the combination and severity of traits which puts someone on the autistic spectrum.

@Kitewoman That does. I think that is why I had seen it as a spectrum. With my son having some difficulties but not enough of or ‘severe’ enough to reach the threshold for diagnosis. I had assumed if he had more traits he would have tipped into the ‘mild’ category.

Some people with autism can articulate the torture and experiences to some degree, and some non verbal people with autism and SLD are not as aware of their differences and have a better level of wellbeing and they personally don't feel as affected.. and in these cases it's often the parents doing the care 'work' that think their children are more autistic but that's a reflection on how they feel about their caring. The diagnosis of ASD is for the person who has it, not the impact on others, and each person with ASD is entitled to their diagnosis, regardless of how other non autistic people feel about it.
Im sorry but u completely ignore the fact the only reason my child who has autism non verbal etc is able to have a better level of wellbeing is becuase i am her 24 hour carer. U seem to completely disregard the carers role in the wellbeing of the autistic person. How incredibly condescending of u

your post is a prime example of why hf people's opinion should not be the voice of the full autism community. Parent blaming isn't the way forward and belittling the needs of those severely effected and the voice of their parent/ carer is actually ableist. I posted a link earlier in the thread to an article which explains this very well.
This.

Parent blaming isn't the way forward and belittling the needs of those severely effected and the voice of their parent/ carer is actually ableist.

But you belittling more high-functioning people's needs is fine?

@gvdlyfoib

Parent blaming isn't the way forward and belittling the needs of those severely effected and the voice of their parent/ carer is actually ableist.

But you belittling more high-functioning people's needs is fine?

nobody did that

Thank you @blanktimes

The poster compared having high-functioning autism to losing a pinkie toe with the stated intention of minimalising other people's disabilities.

@gvdlyfoib

The poster compared having high-functioning autism to losing a pinkie toe with the stated intention of minimalising other people's disabilities.

I did this after a comparrisonwith cancer and said I didnt like either use. If an analogy was required I'd rather one which isn't a death sentence for those severely affected or is the cancer analogy fine because the person who made it is diagnosed?

Just for clarity it wasn't me that made the cancer comparison.

Do you know what though it mauinimaise hfa in comparison to profound that's the point.

Should have said it does minimalise hfa in comparison to profound.

[quote AgntOso]@redpencil77

High functioning is a term that has been used a lot. Historically it has been used to distinguish presentation....this has already been discussed in this thread earlier.

Don't be sorry for the term autism being too broad, I agree, it's a problem. I'm sorry

At what point did i say anyone hijacked a dx?

On ths funding issue, I don't think I've raised although could have much earlier in the thread. Funding is being diverted and allowances (for disability not cash) are being reduced for those with more severe needs because of the portrayal of higher functioning/ more able/ less severe people with dx pushing for their adaptations. Eg my son is too severe for autism sessions as these are for children who are verbal/ toileting etc not classic or severe. There are also those who now champion that autism is a neuro diversity and not a disability so funding is reduced. While funding may be sperated into adult child it is still diverted.

The truth is if we do revert to different dx those with less needs would likely lose out. This wont ever happen as these are the most vocal group by nature of the disability.

Again this isn't about removing the dx but going back to separate dx which reflect the person diagnosed. The dx is now too vast, its meaningless in many ways.[/quote]
I agree, it is. The main problem is that not enough awareness is in the public sphere, too many judgments.

I mean, we now have a generation of young adults catching measels, because struck off doctor Andrew Wakefield managed to publish a report that the MMR caused autism

That's all you need to know about the parents of those children: that they believed so strongly this was true (this was off the back of the BSE in beef in the 90s and trust in the government was low) that they would rather let their children catch measels, mumps or rubella than develop autism.

Autism is thought of by the general public at best "quirky" at worst, like shit.

Autism is thought of by the general public at best "quirky" at worst, like shit.

Not just the general public. a paediatric (!!!) nurse asked me recently what DCs special talent is. I said DC can spot thick people - from a mile. I doubt she got it though.

[quote AgntOso]@gvdlyfojb 1) I didnt say you were like the queen, I said you can call yourself whatever you want even the queen if you want or michael jackson or Judy dench even as shes dramatic too or similar. Dont twist my words.
2)I didn't say you weren't autistic.
3)the dx is now meaningless as it means so many different things to different people. It has no clear meaning, hence the initial post.
4) yes professionals diagnosed my sonas being severe years ago. I'd say they know more about his autism than you do.
5) you're mental health while contributed to by lack of support for your autism isn't autism. I do hope you get some help with that.[/quote]
You said "call youraelf autistic" implying that she was calling herself autistic with no basis behind it, as if she could call herself anything but didn't mean she was.