46% adults in Great Britain thinking ‘we are all somewhere on the autism spectrum’.

[ofwarren]

Just read this in the Metro!
I didn't realise so many people believed this.

There needs to be some serious education about neurodiversity.

metro.co.uk/2022/04/02/world-autism-day-brits-have-wide-lack-of-understanding-about-autism-16390027/

Wow! People don't have a cluem

Bet the proportion of MN posters on the general board who think that is higher than 46%…

On a related note, Autistica is suddenly being quoted everywhere. Does anyone have recent experience of them? I know they used to be connected to the horrendous Autism Speaks but think they dropped that association a few years ago, so are they OK now?

@BachAndByte

Bet the proportion of MN posters on the general board who think that is higher than 46%…

On a related note, Autistica is suddenly being quoted everywhere. Does anyone have recent experience of them? I know they used to be connected to the horrendous Autism Speaks but think they dropped that association a few years ago, so are they OK now?

I don't know anything about them. I've heard of their name but that's about it.

NTs, appropriating everything 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

@BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation

NTs, appropriating everything 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Yep.

Theoretically, from a clinical PoV, about one in nine people will 'present' with ND characteristics, with about one in 15-20 people meeting the criteria for diagnosis (the 'criteria for diagnosis' being a whole other argument).

Without wanting to create a TAAT, I mentioned on another thread a while ago that you can:

a) Have your own personal and highly individual quirks;
b) Exhibit behaviours that are common to ND people; and
c) Experience elements that are common to us all as humans

... but none of these MEAN you are ND. For the moment (and again, whether or not this is right or proper is an argument for another day), undergoing assessment and receiving the appropriate diagnosis from medical professionals is what means you are ND.

@Afflt yeah totally agree with that. Autistic behaviour is human behaviour so of course it's recognisable. It fails to recognise the struggles, isolation, social rejection and mental health difficulties that we have to live with.

Oh yes, Dd has been told lately that everyone is on the spectrum somewhere and what makes her think she's autistic. She'll find a way to manage her difficulties apparently. It minimises the struggles we face on a daily basis.