to think MN is an anti autism site

[Starfa11]

and particularly as regards autism in women and girls.

4 threads currently running discrediting autism and an increase in diagnosis which is pretty typical.

We all know women and girls have historically been shut out of the autism diagnosis process and increased awareness in how autism presents in half the population will undoubtably raise numbers which is a good thing but on MN it seems women and girls aren’t allowed to be autistic.

Autism is a disability and it is devastating for families to live with. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody. I have experienced things as a parent no parent should ever have to. Autism is not being a bit qwerky or something everybody has. Often people wrestle with ADHD in addition too. ADHD is also highly impactful on life and isn’t something that is just parents excusing bad behaviour .

Denying the existence, validity, or severity of a person's disability is considered a direct form of ableism.It invalidates lived experiences, reinforces harmful stereotypes that disabled people are "faking" or less worthy, and serves as a barrier to receiving necessary support, accommodation, and respect.

Yet hugely offensive, damaging, abelist threads and posts appear (often from the same people) over and again with moderators doing very little even when reported which makes one suspect it’s a shared view by MN itself.

I think MN is a generally supportive site with a number of users as you describe. I have autism and I've had a lot of support. I think users just reflect the general public and sadly many people don't believe in neurodivergence.

I wouldn't say MN is anti autism.

I actually think there are worrying views expressed on a lot of topics- mental health, ageism, immigration spring to mind atm but of course there are others. There are a lot of intolerant posters. And there is a lot of ignorance displayed.

But I suppose that's what happens on discussion forums. And it's up to more balanced, tolerant, and informed posters to counter the unpleasant posts.

I see autism/audhd discussed more on this site than I have ever experienced/observed in the real world.

It’s mentioned on almost every thread…… regardless what the post is about!

There is quite a bit of it, especially when dealing with ND teens, who are anxious / EBSA etc. lots of “in my day”, or “switch the WiFi off”, or “just make them go in” etc. Very little understanding of the complexities of dealing with co-morbid symptoms.

That said, the SN boards are great .. it tends to be AIBU that attracts the arseholes.

I don't agree mumsnet is anti autism, I've received lots of good advice on here

From my own experience on here, I think if anything some mumsnetters are too pro autism 😅

I'm autistic, so is my child and I have seen lots of posts on here where posters will excuse a high functioning verbal child's abusive behaviour on autism ....... I'm not talking about a non verbal globally delayed autistic child, I'm talking about someone just as high functioning as I am

There was a post a while ago where a very tall highly functioning autistic teenage lad who went to martial arts and attended mainstream school, attacked his auntie whilst she was babysitting and loads of posters/ his mum blamed his autism..... it wasn't his autism, he never attacked his martial art coaches or anyone outside of the home, just his female family members behind closed doors,

I've found lots of helpful advice on here but I have also seen how some posters will do their absolute best to excuse any bad behaviour from a child because their8 autistic

I’m going to be honest. I don’t think it’s anti autism as such. I think autism, and mentions of autism, have increased so much that it’s almost impossible to read a thread - about anything - without a mention of autism or ADHD. I clicked on a thread about building extensions yesterday, and guess what - a post mentioning autism on the first page. Every health or behaviour complaint ‘could it be autism’ ‘are you adhd’ ‘I’m autistic and…’

I started a thread yesterday asking teachers how many children have a diagnosis in their class (didn’t mention ND in the title so as not to attract the autism bashing hawks). Guesses range from 5% (bottom end) to at least half. These are not SEN schools. Some posters then turned up to say the thread was ridiculous, the responses must not be representative etc as these posters simply cannot accept their child’s diagnosis is now so common. Presumably because they feel it undermines it. However - that doesn’t change fact.

Given all of the above, it isn’t surprising that people now feel acquainted enough with autism to question it in a way they wouldn’t a less common condition. Like transgender.