To find this view re autism frustrating

[Pleasenomorespiders]

Somebody today tried to argue that autism is simply a 'gift' because people like Einstein supposedly had it, I suppose they're talking about people on the spectrum being more gifted and talented in some areas.
This person must surely realise it's a spectrum and has failed to mention how debilitating autism can be, how much people with it can struggle in every aspect of life and may never be able to have a 'normal' life.

Calling it a 'gift' is nice, they're only thinking about high-functioning individuals who as I say have heightened awareness and notice patterns, artistically or mathematically gifted, or whatever it may be. Autism is simply not 'just seeing the world differently'. Many individuals will never have a job or a relationship.

They are not separate in your daughter though - they are all symptoms of a single condition. The fact that clinicians have a tendency to put autism, learning disability, motor skills delay etc into separate silos doesn’t change the fact that in one person they are all part of a single condition and every part of that condition interacts with every other part of that condition.

Exactly this!

It has always been given on need as opposed diagnosis whatever the right wing scaremongers like to say.

Or BPD

I think some people may look like they are quirly fashion people for SM but may struggle with stuff behind the scenes, but may as well want to project positivity. I genuinely think that as long as people dont impose the 'superpower' onto others and feel like that themselves, then power to them. Im not gonna knock a crown off anyone's head. Autism does not have to be negative for everyone and there should be room for all narratives around it.
My issue is only when someone tells me my child has a supoerpower and it's not the case neither for him not for us.

I know what you mean my son goes to a special school for children with severe and profound learning disabillities
But he amazes me sometimes
And whats with the spinning
He can spin extemely fast in one spot and never fall over or get dizzy!

It’s not a gift or a super power. Sure some autistic people are gifted at somethings and that’s great.

My daughter is autistic with global developmental delay and although not severe as some people it’s still hard. When she first got diagnosed we had the oh don’t worry autistic people are super smart as if I should be happy about it.

I am exhausted from lack of sleep, she is now starting to make real leaps with speech at age 4 which has helped with the meltdowns, but they still happen regularly. Potty training is a nightmare and we are not making any progress. We can’t have “normal” days out or holidays as it’s too much for her. She has no danger awareness. She doesn’t eat many foods. Sensory issues etc etc etc

We have no idea what she will be like in the future or if she’ll ever be able to live independently. If I could take autism away from her, I would.

I hope you're right if we end up with a reform government I'm not so sure. They seem to always go for autism and anxiety disorders.

Some.aspergers are also g&t.
But for some aspergers their asd gets.in the way of.learni g. Not i terested in the work. Very hard to.work with others and get on with teachers.

I do think.masking is problematic. But generally.refers to covering it up in some settings. . A bit lit.kids behave differently at school vs home.vs.people at work.
But also so!e asd people.perhaps.more girls can hang out in the periphery kf.groups but not included. Just dont.talk.
My girl .is very rigid. So could just be seen as studdorn and difficult so not just introverted.
But her one friend is also very likely aspergers too. Is more flexible. Is academically gifted. But does talk quietly, can get on with others. So mainly limjted to social issues.
However there is also an overdiagnosis. Locally way.too many are diagnosed. Thry communicate fine and are socially fine (sometimes large friend groups and are.leaders). For those it seems more appropriate that they are dyslexic. And in fact they do often have very mild reading issues.

Some of kids difference in communication is likely due to
Rise in only children
Use of devices
Covid so at home possibly alone for months
Likewise issues with friendships can be from being stubborn, pernisive parents. Schools who arent focussing on social behaviour in reception.

Ironically some asd people dont get on with others as they cant/choose not to masl behaviour like others do. Smoe prefer to be alone rather than conform to tpwhat the group want to do.

My cousin’s daughter is profoundly autistic.

It’s not a gift to her. Or my cousin, her DH, their son. Or my aunty, my uncle. The autism community near them is a huge support. But, no, it’s not a gift, in any way.

Even they will have to realise that some people are profoundly.disabled by their disgnosis.

I asked my ds' paed to diagnose learning disability when he was 16 to protect him as he moves over to adult services. This means he can access the services he needs to as he has severe autism. The autism services are now geared towards mental health needs which he doesn't need. He thought it was a sensible idea. Upto that point ld had never been suggested as the autism diagnosis covered him. Now autism means anything, the diagnosis is a waste of time.

I think the autism diagnosis needs splitting, those with severe autism should have a separate diagnosis to those who have mental health needs or have no needs and can get by in life quite well.

I’m the same as your DS, both in terms of my job and in terms of the horrendous time I had when younger.

I have a different view - I do consider it a gift. Partly I think it’s because I struggled so much as a kid (I was suicidal at 12, and that lasted decades) that just being alive sometimes feels like a gift. I didn’t hear the word “autism” until I was an adult - I genuinely thought I was mad.

Having said that, I’m very very conscious that I’m privileged in being high-functioning and also that I’m able to mask.

I have several friends who have children with autism who are unable to attend mainstream school / non-verbal. I absolutely recognise that their lives are not a privilege. They’re exhausted and stressed and desperately need support.

Definitely agree with your last paragraph.

My son is like this. He is four and limited in his speech but his nursery teachers were left in no doubt he is bright as a button aka pain in the arse!

You can have severe autism and mental health needs though.

this is the problem when people try to put people into ever decreasing boxes it doesn’t work because it’s too complex.

And those of us without mental health needs who still need support but not to the level that those with severe autism do?

I think it depends on what you class as severe autism. I know some people who are verbal etc who class themselves as having severe autism because they say autism causes them anxiety, intrusive thoughts etc or others who have linked eating disorders with their autism so say their autism is severe. I class these more as mental gealth needs.

The severe autism I mean is non verbal/ very limited communication, help with all aspects of daily living because they can't do it not because they need prompts or reminding, very little understanding of the world/ no idea of danger etc (old school autism diagnosis). This group may have mental health needs but because of the way they present the mental health services aren't a suitable service. Talking therapy isn't going to work on somebody who struggles to communicate etc

It does occur to me that it seems the majority of people who want the diagnosis splitting are those who support people with what autism was previously (severe as I described earlier) and those who want to keep the diagnosis together are those who are higher functioning for want of a better term. I accept that there will be outliers. Is this for lagitamacy reasons? Not aimed directly at you Sirzy, I'm just pondering.

I should add I don't care if those with severe autism end up with a completely new term to describe their disorder, I just think it's really sensible for these people to have their own diagnosis.

Maybe that's where the old Aspergers diagnosis worked well.

Genuine question. What support needs does somebody who isn't severe and doesn't have mh needs have please?

If you don't mind me saying you seem very articulate and clearly able to back yourself/ challenge?

But I'm nothing like my friends with the old Asperger's diagnosis

There are lots of ways people with "mild" autism could need support.

Sensory aids.
Workplace adaptations.
Understanding that many of us cannot work full-time without going into burnout.
Support in medical situations when you might get overwhelmed even though you appear articulate and intelligent.
Support with day-to-day situations that are overwhelming and stressful for us, like shopping or dealing with loud situations.

Now THAT is a superpower! Imagine how incredible they’d be at ballroom dancing.

It’s hugely harder for verbal people with autism to access and manage therapy. Diagnosis is crucial.

Are we aloud to split learning disability from autism if you’re going to do that with comorbities such as MH difficulties that often occur with autism?

Why does non verbal mean severe?All my children have severe autism with outcomes that have severe need. My children that presents as non verbal has less need than my other children who are verbal.

Much of what you describe I would think comes under mental health; burnout, stress, overwhelmed etc. I appreciated that sensory needs may play a big part too but surely those needs can be managed eg having your weekly shop delivered, not going to somewhere loud if you struggle with loud noises.

Workplace adaptations is interesting, what adaptations? Do you mean things like being able to work from home if the environment is going against sensory needs? Surely you'd look for employment that suits you so not working with loud machinery if you have an aversion to loud noises?

Many people without autism need support for medical situations, I would actually say that's pretty normal. My brother doesn't have autism but has a fear of needles he has to have all sorts of things put in place for him as he won't go near a hospital. I think he'll need sedation if he needs surgery.

😂😂