Review of the National Autism Strategy ‘Think Autism': call for evidence

[ByGrabtharsHammarWhatASaving]

Might be a good chance for anyone here who has or works with children with ASD to raise concerns about the NAS, the links between ASD and GID, and concerns in general about the effect of trans teaching in schools on children with ASD.

Nb you are unlikely to get kicked out of Mumsnet as long as you follow the guidelines. Certainly not for expressing your feelings about your own experience.

Gee thanks.
I've been on here 14 years so am familiar.

Are you saying all the autistic people I know who have been kicked out of groups should just come on here?
Because the other side of the coin is that attitudes like yours aren't a problem here either.

Sorry, of course I can google your terminology but it will take quite a while, and generally people just try to be understood so conversation can flow.

Which attitude to autism do you dislike?

No I was trying to reassure you that you could say what you like. If you’ve been on MN that long then you know all that so there was no need for me to say it.

itwouldtake, if you read comments addressed to you during this thread, including quotes of things you've said, that will sum up the attitude I'm talking about.
You're putting people's backs up. Autistic people.
You have no idea how we communicate in meatspace. You make huge assumptions. It's a barrier to communication for you.

Ok so if you don’t like HF/LF descriptors do you feel that’s because of the “functioning” being misused to basically mean how well you manage in a nt world, or is it because you don’t think IQ should be mentioned when discussing autism?
Do you have the same dislike of Learning disabled/non earning disability?

You have no idea how we communicate in meatspace. You make huge assumptions. It's a barrier to communication for you.
Equally you don’t know anything about me and have made some huge assumptions.

It is the latter group that concerns me most. I understand some people are more concerned with the former, and some more concerned with undiagnosed adults.

Now here’s where you are going wrong. Because what started as a conversation within this thread about how so many were going undiagnosed, girls and adults, and that to remedy that so we didn’t get these self ID types who do it as a fad, was to advocate for more resources for those struggling to get an assessment, YOU have turned into: some people are more concerned with, rather than as well as the groups you are concerned with. I’ve said it to you many times, others have said it: WE CAN ADVOCATE FOR BOTH. BOTH need help. That you think giving more help to those currently getting NONE is talking over those you consider more vulnerable, is a real issue for others on this thread.

It is you that prioritises only one group and continues to dismiss the needs of others who present differently to those you consider in greater need.

WE CAN ADVOCATE FOR BOTH
Of course you can.

It is possible to get quite extensive support without diagnosis

It is possible, but absolutely not compulsory (in the same way as a diagnosis means legally reasonable adjustments must be made). It is also not standard, despite your own experience.

Your tone and attitude towards those of us who are autistic and are telling you our own experiences is dismissive, rude and aggressively disbelieving.

What gives you the right?

And yet throughout this you have stated that those asking for more help for undiagnosed, were taking away from what you consider to be the most vulnerable. I think being undiagnosed and not receiving any care or support whatsoever, is being incredibly vulnerable. So many girls and women misdiagnosed or not diagnosed out there, struggling, self harming, or ending their life.

Let me rewrite that

WE CAN ADVOCATE FOR BOTH
Of course you can.

Yeah and so can plenty of others who aren't, you know, complete knob ends.

It is possible, but absolutely not compulsory (in the same way as a diagnosis means legally reasonable adjustments must be made). It is also not standard, despite your own experience.
Do you not think if people leave the impression that support is only available once dx is achieved that perhaps it feeds into the situation? The guidelines are very clear that need must be demonstrated and my experience is that professionals repeatedly tell you no support is attached to dx.

Of course you can.

Yes. We note you will only be prepared to advocate for your child and children you think are as vulnerable as them. That’s your choice and your right. So it’s really puzzling why you originally criticised others, claimed we were taking from those more in need ( bizarre given we can’t know the needs of the undiagnosed! ) if we advocated this way, when you yourself only cared about a particular kind of autistic person. It’s you that has a harmful position and attitude, not anyone else on this thread who all recognise the varied needs and varied ways autism can affect people and who think all deserve our support and time.

This isn’t a fad. It isn’t something you identify as. It’s a diagnosed condition.

I know the conversation moved on but I don't self identify, I think I am autistic though. I have problems with eye contact, being around other people exhausts me, can't sustain friendships/relationships, I have sensory processing issues, I could give a long list of reasons why I think I am. On those online tests I always end up with a high score. There is also a family history.

But my GP said that the NHS does not assess adults, at least not without "a good reason" and I can't afford to be privately assessed. So I won't be diagnosed. It doesn't mean I'm not autistic.

Do you not think if people leave the impression that support is only available once dx is achieved that perhaps it feeds into the situation?

No, I think people talking absolute shite based on one experience and a load of visits to Wikipedia is far more damaging.

I asked what gave you the right to be so dismissive and belittling towards those autistic people who you've done nothing but attack for pages now.

The answer is nothing gives you the right, but clearly you think something does.

my experience

That’s just your experience. Others are telling you theirs. Diagnosis is important for several reasons, including assessing needs and support. It also is important because it is a medically diagnosed condition that should never be ‘self identified’, the idea is insulting. It is absolutely policy at schools to give support for autism, when and only when there is a diagnosis. They can’t write ‘ has autism’ without a diagnosis, they can’t attempt to understand our children without knowing what they’re dealing with and adjusting to suit that. That’s why we have words for conditions like this, so others and those affected too, can understand what is going on. It is just strange to suggest we don’t need a diagnosis. Strange and unhelpful.

FifisLovelyApron absolutely it doesn’t. It’s likely you are. That’s why I think we must advocate for improved services for adults so that there is no question over this and you can access support if you need it. Unfortunately, some people are out there identifying who have no reason to, because they think it’s a fad or good way to get attention.

And the NHS will absolutely not give you a damn thing without a diagnosis.

We note you will only be prepared to advocate for your child and children you think are as vulnerable as them.
And again this is not concern for my child particularly who has HFA.

The reality of course is that nobody is getting decent support and provisions.

This.

There are battle lines being drawn where there is no need for them. Different support is needed for different people, none more or less valid or important than the other.

I’m not being dismissive or belittling, I simply expressed a concern I have for a fairly invisible part of the community.

Can we ask why my concern for this group within a group is wrong?

@FifisLovelyApron your GP lied to you, find the Adults with Autism Strategy and take it to the practice manager with a complaint