Thread - Do you feel Autism and ADHD is being over diagnosed?

[User4545]

This is in child mental health (ASD is not a mental health issue). Anyway it is offensive. The OP includes (among other comments) "At this rate i feel like the whole of the UK is going to be on the ASD spectrum one day real soon and then not many kids will ever try to succeed in education or careers etc. because of this label keeping them grounded and making them think it is the problem holding them back.."

Anyway if someone could take a look, that would be great.

Yes

OP is getting her arse handed to her. Thank goodness for ND insomnia so we can all tell her.

Just letting you know that we've taken this thread down by now. Many thanks to everyone who reported it to us.

I saw that and was really cross about it.

It is a shame that so many people are diagnosed with anything - cancer is another example.

But using her argument "too many are being diagnosed" is nonsense.

If someone has an illness or condition, they have it and I would prefer to rely on the diagnosis of a doctor or other HCP than just some random.

Is it altogether taboo to ask the question?

Yes.

Unless you're an experienced expert and conducting scientific research, yes, I should think so.

Too many kids being diagnosed with Strep A at the moment.

Just sayin'

For me, it's the way a question is asked, the language used and the inferences therein. And it's unhelpful, tiring and aggravating to read the same old hoary myths, received opinion and ill-informed assumptions over and over again in the replies. That's before we get to the bad faith, faux naive and repetitive "just my opinion/I'm only asking questions/what about my free speech" posts, wanting a "gotcha!" moment.

I personally don't mind what people post about as long as it doesn't contain falsehoods and/or discriminatory language, which all too often these threads can descend into, unfortunately.

I agree that it’s about the way people ask the question and the uninformed crap people spout. I don’t understand how people can think they know better than experts that have trained for over a decade. Although they generally claim they’re “just asking” which is bollocks, they’ve made their mind up and it’s generally a load of rubbish.

Good point. Funny how these posters get their info from sources found down the back of Google in 1998.

These threads are being posted at least once a week. Also the same faux naivety and “wondering” about this. They are so similar that they sound as if they are coming from one person. I reported one and had a response that there was no issue.

Surely it depends on how the question is asked.
What relation it has to the person being asked.

And how the information is used thereafter.

This question comes up every couple of months. It is never asked innocently, it's always goady fuckery. And the worst thing is that it encourages all the other disablist arseholes to come out of the woodwork and share their bigoted uninformed opinions.

It was lovely to see everyone standing together.

This.

If you are not nd , do not work in a relevant field and have no first hand experience of nd then yes you shouldn't ask. If ripple have genuine questions about autism regarding assessment process etc then fine. But the op's post was offensive and trivialises neuro diversity. Autistic epilepsy face enough barriers they don't need people like that starting conversations.

Sorry two typos 🤦‍♀️ both should read people 😂😂

I understand what you mean - that if the post in question was disrespectful and trivialising, that would be wrong.

I was thinking though medicine in general where certain approaches and interpretations can become current but could sometimes be questioned. The fact that true health care professionals are involved is not per se a reason exempt beliefs and practices from being subjects of enquiry.

I have ADHD and pursued diagnosis because I wanted medication. Didn't think label on its own was worth it as adult (speaking as someone with high functioning and financial privilege to buffer downsides which is a huge privilege). 4 years on and I am so happy I have the medication to function more.

I am guessing with more and more high functioning adults, especially females diagnosed right and left as ASD/ADHD (rather than "obvious" lost cases) there is bound to be some scepticism. It is probably not helped if it is someone you don't like coming up with "I have ASD, suck up!". I do know some unpleasant individuals shirking responsibilities and maturity hiding behind label hurting their nearest and dearest and this kind of toxicity probably jumps out to many as well. Instead of asking "are more people using it as excuse, ask "why people are struggling?"

Yes. Totally agree with this. Titles are always the same.

FFS - not ANOTHER ADHD/ASD are made up pseudo-conditions/they just need a bit of discipline/diagnoses are 10 a penny threads?!

Glad I missed it.

It is not the label that "holds" people back, of course everyone with a bit of sense knows that , being diagnosed is meant to provide access to resources and support

I was undiagnosed in my childhood and the only way I semi survived was masking, I did it poorly at times
I'm glad that autistic children get to be themselves and don't have to go through life wondering "there is something wrong with me or I am different but don't know why"