Some people say that Autism Spectrum Disorder is not a developmental delay, but w neurological difference. It's confusing!

All logical conclusions are based on a set of premises. If all cows provide milk, then ALL milk comes from a cow. This conclusion presumes the reader has the same definition of milk as the writer. Even in the past, this is incorrect as infants and mothers of all animal species will attest to. How do we account for nut or plant milks? Do we say the technical term for nuts/plants is incorrect or that social variations with language make the use correct, therefore the argument (logic) is incorrect. And so it is with conclusions in research. All matters need to be fully examined. But this is a very plain/silly example in contrast.

If we judge a person strictly on behaviour, referring to graphs which hold average means for development, then technically speaking, according to those medians, many Autistic-Wired individuals may appear to have a delay. Within the Untied States. But that's a very surface argument that should be positioning a question of why / how. What do we make of those who are excelling far beyond the median in certain areas. And what is at stake? What are we requiring from young humans which is new and is it reasonable?

Let's pretend the goal for most is a well-functioning society with highly skilled doctors and a dependable fire department, happy baristas, opportunity and access and such. In order to advance as a collective we need children capable of becoming the next generation. 

While there are many possibilities as to what is creating a dilemma of a certain group of a 'differently' behaved future-generation, I have my ideas as to what is complicating better critical thinking and critical evaluation when it comes to autism in certain countries. However, I think it's important to start looking beyond the DSM and America to countries where education and civilisation is thriving and there aren't as many homeless or in poverty. Countries where medication doesn't cost a house.

So, first I might evaluate where the criteria is being formed and by whom. Is the same response happening elsewhere around the globe. What were the figures 50 years ago, is the ratio different and if so, what is different in society (beyond cultural value shifts and unnatural lighting for example). 

But to properly evaluate how and why the behaviour (a response) is happening to the percent in question, one needs to ask if the premise - the basis for the conclusion (delayed development), is correct. And my short answer here is No. Cognitive Bias can muddle results (Are we all driven by competition? Are we all extroverts? What makes humans unique and different? Would 'autism' have been just a different personality type in Jung's Archetypes 100 years ago). Testing for this needs a funding figure of 6-digits and it needs to benefit a corporation of some sort. There is a growing population of Actually Autistic adults who are globally speaking on the overlooked matters of simply being wired differently. A ratio of humans not picking up social cues and being hypnotised by adverts/fear can actually benefit society as a whole. I can think of a few in the past who didn't cave to social pressure (or, noticed) which furthered science, for example.

On a personal note: My goal with my son was to help him become a relatively healthy human being with good principles. Technical things like driving, economics, doing the dishes and other basic adult-ing can be learned, but if one manages to arrive at 20 with a bit of thoughtfulness and humanity, who can be present and not traumatised in auto-mode with adult drone-like manoeuvring, I have a feeling their life will be a little richer. Most Autistic adults, who might have excelled in a thing, may need 20 years to undo the first 30, peel off and unlearn things which didn't make sense or apply to their mode of perceiving, reasoning and understanding in order to find what they were actually skilled at and would've excelled at had they been able to mature differently. Be wary of any homogeneous collective, religious, scientific or otherwise. 

My brain's too tired today to react in any way more productively than simply to say.. what an incredible piece of writing! Food for thought. 

My brain's too tired today to react in any way more productively than simply to say.. what an incredible piece of writing! Food for thought. 

Somedays mine is too! I want to change the narrative, though. And affirm those of us who simply need affirmation. Much can be overcome by simply being seen :)