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talk about spectrum

longman

I went to a lecture last night by a paediatric neurologist about new directions in autism. There were some interesting ideas that have given me something to think about, I thought I might share the points that struck me.

On the autistic spectrum a division was made between about 1.5% who qualified for an official diagnosis and up to 30% who had significvant social interaction difficulties on that account, but were outside official diagnosis. That at least is comforting with regards to people saying everyone is on the spectrum. Why more of the 30% aren't diagnosed seems to lie with politics and maintaining statistics about health, as well as the cost factor.

I had formed my own theory that my difficulty socialising caused me to overly analyse and worry about why I couldn't socialise properly, and why things went wrong. And that led to low self esteem and anxiety.

The perspective I heard last night was that NTs don't develop an understanding of social cognition processes because it happens instinctively so they don't have to analyse it and don't think about how it comes about (so presumably don't even remember social gaffs). Whereas people on the spectrum by necessity analyse social interchanges and become expert at it (but at the cost of increased stress and worry).

Main message was the need to increase self esteem and self confidence, and give children on the spectrum space to explore and expand their knowledge. A lot of harm done by trying to get children on the autistic spectrum to be like their parents, or fit parental ideas of success. The evidence seems to be that given the opportunity to develop special interests and skills, many children on the spectrum do better.

Which brings me back to an underlying concern of mine, voiced in the lecture, that early diagnosis may be imposing unnecessary restriction by trying to change things, and doing more harm than good.

I confess I'm not sure where my preconceived ideas merge with the talk in this synopsis, so if anyone has heard similar talks, but not sure I've got the facts right,  its a personal impression here. Likewise apologies to anyone giving such talks if I've got things askew.

Parents

  • longman - you make so many valid points.
    The difference in trying to 'change' the behaviour and 'reactions' in diagnosed children, stands out in stark contrast to the treatment of those diagnosed as adults. There seems to be no acceptance that our brains operate differently, but instead a need to slot us into an existing niche, for treatment.  Perhaps they should be listening to us more closely instead of being quick to assign mental health 'labels'.

    On the bullying - probably 'addiction' is not a good word to use, though I do see (hope) that it is used in the context of being addicted to 'expecting it' rather than in getting people to bully you. I personally have a wariness of social situations, not only because of the communication difficulties, but because of the danger of bullying - but I do not go into a social situation expecting to be bullied.

    My experience is with bullying that is slow to develop - the bullies having contact  over a period of time, for example in the work place, and their realisation that you do things differently, do not join in the chit-chat/gossip/rumour or the social events so much, and operate in some areas in a much more efficient way than they can, whilst experiencing difficulties with things they can take for granted.  Is the alternative, not to expose oneself to these situations at all?   

    I agree with your suspicion that clinicians see our difficulties as side effects that can be cured, and that counselling and pills are seen as the panacaea. I suppose they would argue that this is all they have to work with, but my thought is that they could work with listening and understanding instead of immediately reaching for the prescription pad.

    Interesting what you report about the comments at the talk, on drug addicts. The assumption was always that severe anxiety in addicts would be a mental health problem. It is interesting (and good) that ASD is now being considered as a possible cause as well.

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  • longman - you make so many valid points.
    The difference in trying to 'change' the behaviour and 'reactions' in diagnosed children, stands out in stark contrast to the treatment of those diagnosed as adults. There seems to be no acceptance that our brains operate differently, but instead a need to slot us into an existing niche, for treatment.  Perhaps they should be listening to us more closely instead of being quick to assign mental health 'labels'.

    On the bullying - probably 'addiction' is not a good word to use, though I do see (hope) that it is used in the context of being addicted to 'expecting it' rather than in getting people to bully you. I personally have a wariness of social situations, not only because of the communication difficulties, but because of the danger of bullying - but I do not go into a social situation expecting to be bullied.

    My experience is with bullying that is slow to develop - the bullies having contact  over a period of time, for example in the work place, and their realisation that you do things differently, do not join in the chit-chat/gossip/rumour or the social events so much, and operate in some areas in a much more efficient way than they can, whilst experiencing difficulties with things they can take for granted.  Is the alternative, not to expose oneself to these situations at all?   

    I agree with your suspicion that clinicians see our difficulties as side effects that can be cured, and that counselling and pills are seen as the panacaea. I suppose they would argue that this is all they have to work with, but my thought is that they could work with listening and understanding instead of immediately reaching for the prescription pad.

    Interesting what you report about the comments at the talk, on drug addicts. The assumption was always that severe anxiety in addicts would be a mental health problem. It is interesting (and good) that ASD is now being considered as a possible cause as well.

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