Yes, just reading this stuff now...but I didn't know who Melanie Sykes was. Brill when public figures come out with their diagnosis for sure.
While I was being assessed yesterday, my friend who went with me was chatting to the secretary at the NAS centre who said they were fielding called from journalists after comment on this.
I am a newbie around here, but the recent press has actually genuinely made me revisit an adult diagnosis (I thought I was okay to just "know in my head" that I am somewhere on a spectrum of autism, but more and more, I realise that its affecting me and that there is help I could perhaps access that I don't know about). I am from the UK but currently working in EU, does anyone know if it is still possible to be assessed by the NHS?
And in true fashion,all day since I've read this, I've had "melanie sykes melanie sykes melanie sykes autism autistic melanie sykes" going through my head. I've said her name out loud randomly several times. And I can't be the only one who has had several loops of "by eck pet you smell gawwjus tonight" going round.
More importantly, who are we to judge whether she she a few, or ‘real’ cognitive disadvantages? You don’t know the woman, and you don’t live with her. You cannot see her struggle. Just because her job is in the public eye at time, doesn’t mean she doesn’t have issues. Clearlyshe wouldn’t have received a diagnosis is she didn’t also have some cognitive impairment?
She’s already expressed a few issues that she’s always struggled with anyway….not that she has to explain herself.
No doubt we'll be seeing more of her on social media using the #ActuallyAutistic hashtag... I am pleased for her, I also see the risk showcasing people for whom autism presents few, if any, real cognitive disadvantages, especially those with privileged access to the media could result in society trivialising autism.
I agree. I think it'll give women a bit more confidence to speak up about it. Maybe in terms of our needs. I thought the five points near the end if the article from this website were helpful.
There's a lady in my class who is dyslexic. Although there are still misconceptions about dyslexia, I feel it's more accepted. I'm saying this because she spoke up last week. "I need to do such and such" in class. Whereas I still feel like I can't say at work for example ""I need to do such and such" because I'm still made to feel a bit that it's all in my head (which technically, it is).
Yes, I saw this earlier this week. As a woman, I’m pleased to hear yet another female has been correctly diagnosed, despite not appearing to have an issue outwardly, which is so not often the case. (I can only go on her TV persona, as I don’t know the women). I also like that she feels able to be public about it, because not everyone feels able to.
We never know peoples struggles behind closed doors, and clearly she’s had enough on her plate supporting her child who is also on the spectrum.
I don’t doubt that she will try and raise more awareness one way or another, because of her line of work.
Thank you so much for posting this. I can't put into words how I feel. Hopefully this should be a positive step in helping people understand autism and breaking down stereotypes.
Edit - also mixed feelings that it should take a highish profile celebrity who doesnt fit the stereotypical mould to announce this in order for people to start listening.
Further edit - I like melanie sykes. I don't know much about the other one just that she's always in the local news website it seems wanting attention about her kids. I'm sure it must be difficult for her but I can't help feeling she uses it just yo get "air time".
