Autism

[lolly07766]

I know there are many threads concerning this subject, I've just read one now.
I have a son with severe autism, limited communication and obvious learning disabilities, aibu to think the diagnosis/description should be changed for high functioning people, as opposed to those who have serious disabilities.

Did you misunderstand me? I’m very aware of the diagnostic process.

So how exactly could you fudge a diagnosis?

In my experience, the parents most strongly criticised in this way are very often autistic themselves. Failures to recognise struggles can be because those struggles are what they perceive as normal, as they were the same for them.

FFS. This is utter ableist crap. Just look at some of the comments made by some of the NT parents on this thread. They do not understand. They cannot see the problem as they cannot empathise with an autistic point of view.

Non-autistic people who share the same views as you need to take ownership of their own lack of understanding and prejudice and only then will the world start improving for autistic people. Stop putting all the blame on us.

But I presume you know you are autistic. If you were unaware then your response might be “it can’t be autism because everyone is the same; I had the same and I’m not autistic, you just have to get on with it!” And being condemned as being harmful towards your children is hardly going to encourage you to reflect that you share characteristics with these people condemning your parenting.

I don’t think self diagnosis is valid at all (if valid means “should be treated as has been diagnosed by a group of qualified clinicians”. I think it’s nonsense, but I also find the self diagnosed can be particularly aggressive and emotionally raw.

But I presume you know you are autistic. If you were unaware then your response might be “it can’t be autism because everyone is the same; I had the same and I’m not autistic, you just have to get on with it!”

Not at all. I was a parent for 19 years before I was diagnosed. I understood their needs.

i really don’t think you understand the diagnostic process at all by making such a pig-ignorant statement (that you could fudge your way to get a diagnosis)

you are being hostile, offensive and extremely dismissive of both the diagnostic process and struggles that autistic people go through to get this diagnosis.

it is view like yours which are a huge blocker to the proper inclusion and respect of autistic people.

I've been shot down on twitter for such a comment. But it does seem in my experience those that are self diagnosed shout the loudest.

I agree, I will say I have been referred for autism assessments but until I get the diagnosis (if I do) then I can’t say I have it for sure.

just like if someone has been referred for investigation for a possible cancer they can’t say for sure that’s what it is until the professionals confirm it.

No I’m not ignorant, in that I’ve been through the process and seen what it involved. Why do you assume that someone who disagrees with you must be ignorant or hostile or dismissive? Im giving my experience given MY lived experience. I could be wrong but I didn’t see anything that would have been a barrier particularly.

I’m not sure why you think I’m responsible for a lack of inclusion or respect for anyone.

I agree that self-diagnosis is bullshit in most circumstances.

it is yet further evidence of non-autistic people trying to define what “high-functioning” autism is.

[please note I absolutely hate the term “high-functioning” but I am only using it here so the people here who are so ignorant of what it really means means (IQ over 70) don’t get confused]

Not quite the case, my DC has had numerous independent assessments in school. Referal to be formally assessed gone in a few weeks ago. We've waited 9 years to get to this point. So people aren't getting diagnosed left, right and centre. We will more than likely have another 18 month wait to get a formal diagnosis. The system is shocking and not as easy as you think.

*’m not sure why you think I’m responsible for a lack of inclusion or respect for anyone•

That makes perfect sense. You’re not sure precisely because you don’t understand why you are being offensive. An empathetic person would seek to remedy this. And it’s not the role of the autistic people on this thread to explain it to you.

How convenient.

I don't mind 'quiet' self Id! Like self - recognition or self - suspicion, there are several posters on the ND threads and as diagnosis is so far off for many it would be unkind to exclude people. But I don't like the rise of unchecked individual advocates and loud voices shouting about autism, especially when self ID is involved.

Whether you believe it's BS or not, the autistic community, in general, not saying all obviously, is very accepting of self diagnosis. Largely because a formal diagnosis can be almost impossible to attain for some people who are autistic but not able to jump through all the hoops and "tick all the boxes".

Most adults who self diagnose will have done their own research into autism. From that first inkling of "Oh, I sometimes do that/feel that certain way" it can open up a whole new way of looking at things. I didn't know I had ADHD until I was 32 or 33, after both of my kids and husband were all diagnosed. I haven't sought a diagnosis for myself because I don't feel it necessary. I don't feel in myself that I personally need that. I know I have ADHD and have implemented necessary changes into my life that have improved things for me and my family.

Also, there are places where an official diagnosis is a privilege a lot of people just cannot afford.

You could have fooled me.

This is spot on

I love “self-suspicion” because it has to start there doesn’t it? I agree kindness to those in the grey period is right. I’m less inclined to be kind to people who not only need recognition but seek to dominate the space and have little tolerance for less articulate autistics.

Itisbetter

So how would you fudge it, you still haven’t said.

@calming most of the assessment was based on questionnaires and my description. I’m sorry I’m not going to lay out details that would be ridiculously inappropriate. I was giving my opinion given my experience. I think it’s possible. That doesn’t make it definitely true. If you have experience of diagnosis you may feel the opposite.

Until you can say how you can fudge an autism diagnosis and prove it your declaration is completely false and ridiculous.

My diagnosis included two very long assessment sessions, an ADOS test, my family interviewed and yes forms. It was gruelling and it would be nigh on impossible to fudge any of it.

Saying you could easily fudge an autism assessment is not only ridiculous but highly offensive.

So... You wouldn't? That's a very basic description of the assessment, and if that's all it was, it doesn't sound like it was carried out correctly.
Since a ridiculous amount of autistic females aren't diagnosed due to diagnostic tools being geared towards boys, and women being better at masking, I'm genuinely surprised that you're confident you could obtain a false diagnosis.

I’m sorry it offended you @Ca1mingC1arySag3 it certainly wasn’t meant to. I don’t think your criteria for how and when I can state my opinion is right but I’m certainly wouldn’t list what to say or do to commit fraud on the internet however rudely that is demanded. My statement was very obviously a personal opinion, I refuted the idea that I was “ignorant” of the process because that was suggested as the reason we disagreed.

@Loics That's a very basic description of the assessment, and if that's all it was, it doesn't sound like it was carried out correctly. possibly I was talking from personal experience so how would I know?