dear mn hq why are so many disablist threads being left up

[Samcro]

one today for instance and mn hq post
"We don't think that this thread is disablist, it is a valid discussion that we don't think should be shut down. "

yet it has obviously been reported.
cause hurt and upset
how is that making life easier(or better) for the sn community`?

or this message from mn hq
That CBeebies is just far too PC
Thread deleted
Message from MNHQ: Thanks so much for all the reports about this.

Although there has been some interesting debate and discussion, we do agree that the OP and some of what ensues is disablist, so we have decided to delete.

how can these be interesting debates??
\not long ago mn hq said that they were going to be quicker dealing with this stuff
what happened??

I think what I want to see from MNHQ when posts are made that question the validity of a diagnosis or a disability, is a statement along the lines of:

'We do not believe it is acceptable to question the diagnosis of any other person.'

That would apply to queries over blue badges, benefits, disabled toilets, school support etc.

Spin I think I get it although I've drunk wine
Most of us are getting cross at the 'they have a diagnosis but their dc is just horrid and they hide behind a diagnosis' or 'they want a diagnosis to get into a good secondary' or 'the child seems fine, why are they overreacting' or indeed 'explain your child's diagnosis because they look ok to me'.
And the 'We are all on the spectrum '
You have the 'Yes something is going on, the professionals know something is going on. But until they can agree on what that something is and diagnose it, we are in a ridiculous no mans land'
Is that it?

Need I would vary your wording.
We do not believe it is acceptable to question the diagnosis by properly qualified professionals of any other individual'

Giddy you sort of have it, except it was worse than that.

My DC went through Statutory Assessment, gained a Statement with significant funding, detailed advice concerning what provision my child was entitled to but the diagnosis from professionals was not Autism - my DC had other additional needs that did not firmly or fully fit a diagnosis of any particular well known condition. However the advice was comprehensive and the funding accounted and provided for what additional needs my DC had.

Yet several, unqualified (in terms of diagnoses) educational professionals and other people involved in our lives kept assuming my DC had Autism and treating my child as if (in terms of provision they gave) they had needs related to them being on the Autistic spectrum, when they weren't, when they had no diagnosis of Autism. Many did not even read the professional's reports in my child's file, never mind adhere to the advice given.

This is what we had to fight. I'm pleased we did fight it as my child eventually progressed in terms of what additional needs they had the Statement could be ceased. My child's additional needs related to some 'delays' which hindered learning initially, until they were overcame, rather than life long difficulties.

I feel this really makes my perspective rather different from the other posters on this thread. Even the phrase 'Diagnosis Du Jour' which others, quite rightly found offensive due to it's minimising proper diagnoses, I could relate to, because of the phenomenon of Autism being at the forefront of some unqualified people's minds, when they might think of additional needs, leading them to incorrectly assume children with no diagnosis but additional needs should / does have an Autism diagnosis.

Need Giddy your wording is good only I can think of situations where it might hinder parents questioning and exploring the possibility of misdiagnoses / mistreatment by professionals, which I have seen discussed on the SN boards and others.

How about disabilities are only diagnosed when doctors are sure beyond doubt of the diagnoses, We do not believe it is acceptable to question the validity of a diagnoses on these forums.

That should cover everything pretty much equally.

Spin that sounds like a nightmare.

But you did still seek a diagnosis? It's 'just' (excuse that word) that you haven't got one yet? So you're not anti-diagnosis? (Nobody knows what, if any, dx they/ their DC will receive when they set off down the diagnostic path.)

And the 'diagnosis du jour' thing is really that Autism is the most common and well known of that type of developmental disabilities. So a bit like GPs starting from the point of thinking about IBS if presented with a certain set of digestive symptoms, and Great Aunt Hilda assuming the same?

(I'm just trying to understand your position, correct me where I'm wrong)

Doctors can be notoriously vague sometimes, Justin. They can be very mealy mouthed, "autistic tendencies" was often used on records I saw when teaching which is not a firm diagnosis. They often diagnose on the balance of probabilities.

And I have seen parents on mumsnet unhappy about a diagnosis and asking for advice. I wouldn't want them not to be able to do that.

It's a good idea for MNHQ to have a standard response but the wording needs a tickle, I think.

Justin?

If i ever get banned, my new account will be JustinTime.

They can be very mealy mouthed, "autistic tendencies" was often used on records I saw when teaching which is not a firm diagnosis

Yes, I can imagine. I've seen similar situations where diagnostic tests haven't been done, but everyone bowls along on a loose understanding that it 'looks like' X or Y.

They often diagnose on the balance of probabilities.

Autism? But how? The diagnostic assessment doesn't lend itself to that.

Yes I'm not sure how that's happened either.

Dd wasn't diagnosed until they were very sure.

Just yes, my child was seen and assessed by numerous professionals. However the additional needs my child had did not fit with a particular diagnosis - this was the conclusion.

No one 'lost out', in terms of there being plentiful and appropriate advice, related provision and funding. My child eventually overcame their additional needs, which were 'delays' rather than lifelong difficulties. However this was not without having to fight people who just ignored professionally compiled reports, provision and my child's own progress and abilities, because they just took it upon themselves to assume my child had been / should be diagnosed as being on the Autistic Spectrum. My child is not 'masking' either, they are happy and have many successes under their belt. (Sorry if that last sentence seems a bit defensive but I have just been too well used to having to defend our position.)

I completely understand the problem you have with the phrase 'Diagnosis Du Jour' but just related to it in terms of, as you have said, 'Great Aunt Hilda assuming..' Unfortunately there are just too many very vocal 'Great Aunt Hildas' working in our education system and within the general public at large.

However this was not without having to fight people who just ignored professionally compiled reports, provision and my child's own progress and abilities, because they just took it upon themselves to assume my child had been / should be diagnosed as being on the Autistic Spectrum. My child is not 'masking' either, they are happy and have many successes under their belt. (Sorry if that last sentence seems a bit defensive but I have just been too well used to having to defend our position.)

I completely understand the problem you have with the phrase 'Diagnosis Du Jour' but just related to it in terms of, as you have said, 'Great Aunt Hilda assuming..' Unfortunately there are just too many very vocal 'Great Aunt Hildas' working in our education system and within the general public at large.

Yes, I can imagine that's all a minefield with no diagnosis.

It happens even with a diagnosis, TBH, which is bad enough;

Random (clearly C&Ped) paragraphs - that do not describe the child in question at all turning up in Statements and ECHPs. And we've just had this again recently with a DSA report - laughable things.

Teachers etc hearing 'Autism' and latching on to that as a general idea rather than the child's specific profile. 'I've taught/cared for/met a child with Autism before' is my heartsink phrase.

Untrained SENCOs etc.

Pop culture understandings generally; 'Oh yes like rainmain' through to 'They're not empathetic are they?' (Whoever the hell 'they' are )

Without a dx the scope for all that must be so much wider.

And, yes, Great Aunt Hildas everywhere

There was a study recently that showed some children definitely have autism but compensate /improve to a degree that means they wouldn't be diagnosed later. It's not common but happens apparently. So maybe the diagnosis was not wrong at the time?

I also think..sorry..that at a time whenpeople are really upset about the minimising of diagnosis as they are dealing with real struggles, it's not the best time to be moaning about people saying your child had autism but now they are doing well with loads of successes...that's great..happy for you all..but maybe not the time?. ..

I'd happily engage with a thread about your specific situation but I feel latching on to a goady OP to talk about your very different situation wasn't ideal at the time.

All it could do at this time is give credence to the goady OP.

Just yes, the scope is wider without diagnosis (where this is appropriate) but the upside is that aspirations can be too. I felt the fact that my DC did not fit a diagnosis meant the only possible solution was to truly consider my child as an individual. The funding and provision was there for this but it was slightly mind blowing in the eyes of my DC's school, who I suspect, at times, resented even a reasonable amount of differentiation.