Is autism exploited on SM?

[Boymamabee22]

I joined an online community hoping to connect with other mums but I'm finding some aspects of the community clique and exploitative.

I get wanting to raise awareness but I don't see how filming your kid having a meltdown complete with melancholy music, and a black and white filter, is helpful. At the same time, I've been lectured for using terms like "high functioning" and suggesting behavioural therapies are sometimes helpful.

Another parent expressed concern about her daughter "masking" because she copies other children in her class. I've noticed my son copying other kids lately but I don't think it's always a negative thing because he's learning more social interactions. What I'm trying to say is that not all progress is masking.

I sort of feel that to be part of the community I need to shut up and agree with what more influential members are putting out there.

I have an ADHD diagnosis but I've distanced myself from online communities because it's all about the issues and not how to overcome them.

Kinda makes me sad because I don't feel neurotypical but I can no longer relate to many online ADHD/ASD communities.

I'm in a few and I dont see this at all I find them very educational. Maybe try some different ones

I'm not interested in online communities so I just don't go near them.

It's not autism that's being exploited though, it's the children.

I've been in these communities for years and there has been a definite shift from support strategies that focused on interacting successfully with the wider world, to autism advocacy and enabling people to be their authentic selves -hence why masking is considered bad

You are right though, social strategies are learnt by observing and copying whether you are neurotypical or not

Videos of children shared are generally swiftly removed by the admins on the groups I'm on -maybe report the posts?

There are good and bad SEN communities out there. The mommy martyrs and the ones who exploit their kids (filming meltdowns etc) for sympathy and attention aren’t for me.

There are autism communities more along your lines OP, but they tend to be more discreet as they get brigaded by neurodiversity proponents. Suggest to keep looking; you’ll find your people.

I've noticed this too, not helped by the fact some people are insisting ADHD/ASD is being "dragged into a culture war" FFS the black and white, us vs them narrative helps nobody.

And everything is "ableist" if it has anything to do with helping you live/function in a NT world 🙄 even How To ADHD has started this now, she used to make fantastically helpful videos (and still does to be fair) but there is now much more "Oh I'm sorry I was ableist in the past!" it's not ableism to acknowledge that the world works in a mostly neurotypical friendly way.

While I wish some things would be more ADHD friendly, I actually like living in a NT world.

Just keep looking - I do get tired of the endless autism acceptance quotes etc but generally find the online support group I’m on is a useful place to find helpful suggestions.

I think a lot of people are apprehensive of these kinds of things to be honest though it’s a nice sentiment

Sorry I misread the thread! I do think it’s exploited yeah. Communities online can be a bit iffy for these kinds of things, people relax too much and post their child’s whole life story which isn’t the most considerate. Digital footprints and all.