Published on 12, July, 2020
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59352983
Melanie Sykes has just been diagnosed as being autistic
She like many here remained undiagnosed until later in life.
very positive article
Are you basing this on her job?
Based on stereotypes of autism, I shouldn't be able to do my job either, as my job requires a lot of empathy and people skills. Something Melanie said on Loose Women really resonated with me actually, when she said people are her interest. I've said this many times that people are a fixation for me, especially meeting people (I get bored once I know them well).
If you question her diagnosis then you are questioning a lot of us. My difficulties are often very internalised, nobody ever sees my struggles until I'm approaching meltdown or shutdown. Even that is usually private at home.
Referring to people as high or low functioning is pretty outdated too these days. Even "high functioning" autistic people have support needs. Just because you cannot relate them to your non-verbal child doesn't mean that they don't exist.
May I ask out of interest why it would cross your mind (ie "how can you tell")? Just curious.
I also think that diagnostic criteria are evolving butI know there has to be some sort of "cut off". I scored just above the cut off on my assessment. With some people, it may seem that they have more obvious difficulties but many years ago they might not have even got a diagnosis. So I think things are evolving all the time.
I do think as more people explore information which is available and so start talking about their own experiences, this goes to redefining what autism means. For example, when I started reading about autism and aspergers for myself I discounted it in the first instance because I couldn't relate to it. It was about stereotypical male behaviour and from official sources like the nhs. But then as I started reading more (a mixture of first hand experiences and also that of qualified people) it began to make more sense. As I talk about my own experiences this may feed into how other people relate to it too.
Edit - I think I'm trying to say there may be common shared experiences of people with autism which are not in "official" material but it's only since we have more access to sharing information that these are brought to the open more.
On the other hand, I do wonder sometimes if what people describe can be attributed to autism or if it's something else like personality. And then these things get thrown into the unofficial mix of autism. I would say there's plenty I cannot relate to but a lot i can.
I have thought about this before going off on so many branches in my head. I don't know if I have explained correctly what I mean and its certainly not a personal attack on anyone autistic or not.
As in contrast to non-autistic (or Allistic) people being described as Neurologically Typical (or NT); the description of being Neurologically Divergent (or ND) is commonly and regularly used by autistic people here and elsewhere to refer to themselves and others on the autism diagnostic spectrum, keeping in mind that it is not used by or in reference to autistic people alone:
As is also exemplified via the following You-Tube video:
Basically then, from a medical or clinical perspective ~ Leif Ekblad (as the author of the Autism, Personality, and Human Diversity: Defining Neurodiversity in an Iterative Process Using Aspie Quiz paper) was in 2013 addressing the need for neurologically typical, atypical and divergent behavioural traits to be further researched and categorised for more accurate diagnostic criteria ~ in respect of autism as being a spectrum condition that involves people having maximum, moderate and or minimum personal and or social support needs.
And as for:
Oh is THAT what a spiky profile is!!!
If by 'this' you mean what M described as being the 'spiky circle thing':
Then read:
Autism, Personality, and Human Diversity: Defining Neurodiversity in an Iterative Process Using Aspie Quiz
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2158244013497722
And check out perhaps the following website explaining and for taking the Aspie Quiz:
https://embrace-autism.com/aspie-quiz/
M said:The spectrum isn't a straight line from mild to severe = not linear. Usually it is demonstrated with a diagram that I don't know the correct term for but a spiky circle thing.
The same for me and suicide. It would ruin my daughter's life if I died. So I am always trying not to kill myself.
Brill, that's the one! I like how she says we have got to learn each others' language. Her hair looked like a freshly windswept cat!
She does! That appearance on the talk show was good. it was an Irish chat show, it's on youtube somewhere.
she has 2 programmes on Netflix
There's a great comedian called Hannah Gadsby. She is diagnosed autistic. Maybe check her out. One of her interviews on a talk show I seem to remember she discusses how she is fine with being on stage because she is in control. This is also true to a certain extent of myself as a tutor. I know my role. Conversations are on my terms and usually functional.
I feel compelled to reply and attempt to explain why your comments are causing so much upset - I read this thread last night and was also upset by it and the assumptions being made. This is not an attack - this is me attempting to address points you have raised.
Sorry I've run out of steam.
There is also:
The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R): A Scale to Assist the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults: An Internation Validation Study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3134766/
And:
Thanks again. Very much appreciated :-)
But it raises my original point; how robust is the diagnostic process?
Diagnostic tools ~ a guide for all audiences
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/diagnostic-tools/all-audiences
Preliminary tests for assessment referrals
https://www.autismresearchcentre.com/tests/
"For your information as well, an outcome of an autism assessment can be to have autistic traits but to not meet the full criteria sufficiently. My friend's son had this result from their assessment."
That's the sort of information I am hoping people will share. I find this helpful and again thank you for sharing useful information.
Why do I need to have experience of adult assesment process to ask a question of how in works? I also dont have COVID but I find it useful to know the assessment process of how it is diagnosed. For two reasons, one out of general interest because of how prevalent it is and two, how I would go about getting such an assessment if I was worried I had this condition.
There you go again 'extremely unpleasan to speak to". You seem to base this purely on the fact you are offended by me daring to share my genuine doubts over the diagnostic process. I could see your point if I had stated everyting as fact but I put it as a question, I welcomed dialogue and most importantly was open to learn from others. Troll by denfinition means to deliberately antogonise people. It is your opinion that is my intention. It is not, so calling me a troll is an insult because I am not trying to upset people. If I was, you would know all about it! I have deliberately tried to remain measured, appreciative to comments, even when others sresort to name calling etc.
In terms of my sons diagnosis, yeah ofcourse, I would not like it if someone casting doubt over his diagnosis. I have already experienced this. And I'll tell you something else for free, before I realised my son had issues, I thought his behaviour was something to do with us as parents. I felt a complete failure. In some ways it was a relief to realise he had a condition that needed extra support. It's been a steep learing process for all of us, and there will always be more to learn. It is for that exact reason I am asking questions about the diagnostic process for adults. MS was the trigger on here for me to respond. I dont get her diagnosis. Its not the same as my son, because he is very very obvious. So, its all about learning by asking probing questions. If you dont understand, do not you ask people? You could argue as someone else did that its not the right place. Ok, maybe. But why am I asking, and what am I looking for? I can honestly say, it is not to antagonise you or anyone else. I dont understand why someone like MS (with seemingly exceptional social/communication skills) is able to get a diagnosis. It raises all sorts of questions in my mind. Some people have been helpful on here by pointing towards resources on "masking". You have just confirmed that "autistic traits" is also an actual thing. And there are other useful replies that have helped me learn more. But at no point have I criticised anyone, called anyone mean names etc. There is no need for that. You do not know me. Anyway, I will leave it at that. Once again, sorry to upset you or anyone else. I wish you all the best , and I mean that genuinely, even if you dont believe me ;-)