Published on 12, July, 2020
One thing I've always struggled with since being on this forum and understanding more about autism, is the fact that levels are no longer used.
I understand the idea of the spectrum and that we can all shoot off at angles and pick up where something affects us deeply.
However, levels were to do with the amount of support required, so how much a person's functionality is impacted by autism.
Level 1, 'Asperger's Syndrome', 'high functioning' were for people who had what was then termed as 'mild' autism.
I realise that 'mild' probably isn't appropriate for us.
However, there are threads on this forum relating to a 'solution' for autism and 'acceptance'.
I can answer for myself and my own struggles but I feel sometimes that the people who are without speech (some of whom I think are actually on this forum, from reading profiles), who cannot live independently without support, are not taken into account.
This is a reason why I actually find it quite hard to answer these questions, because I see myself as 'level 1', high functioning and I can't answer for people whose lives are so very deeply impacted by their autism and their carers.
Our autistic community cannot be categorised or simplified in terms of levels, our support needs and experiences fluctuate depending on environment, energy, stress and other factors.
Our autistic experiences are so diverse, this is what makes our community so interesting, complex and beautiful!
Autistic experiences are not linear but instead a kaleidoscope or colour wheel.
Beautifully put.
Thanks for the compliment! I appreciate it! There are some videos from Aucademy that may be useful, they explain the diversity of autistic experiences:
The Autistic Spectrum really:
https://www.youtube.com/live/pK4foXJM5FY?feature=shareThe Farahar and Foster Three Dimensional Autistic Space- Reconceptualising the spectrum to include all autistic people:
https://youtu.be/kqyt0Nf1h2Y
I hope you enjoy these videos, they are great.
π Bees π (they/them) Autism resources in bio #stoptheshock #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs said:So I don't accidentally imply their importance is on the same level as objects, because I think there is a misconception that "if you forget about certain things you must not care about them enough" and well ditto people.
I understand what you mean, people don’t understand or want to understand the complexity of executive function/neurology/working memory to think otherwise. It’s sad that this assumption is made.
Not always objects, sometimes people, and tasks, I just don't like to lump them (people) in with objects so I try avoid the exact phrase "object permanence". So I don't accidentally imply their importance is on the same level as objects, because I think there is a misconception that "if you forget about certain things you must not care about them enough" and well ditto people.
π Bees π (they/them) Autism resources in bio #stoptheshock #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs said: I do when I see it, but usually I just forget it exists (permanence issue) if Youtube had always had it as a feature maybe it would
I do when I see it, but usually I just forget it exists (permanence issue) if Youtube had always had it as a feature maybe it would
Object permanence?
Ausomely Autistic said: did you know that you can skip to each time stamp section of the video by scrolling at the bottom?
I do when I see it, but usually I just forget it exists (permanence issue) if Youtube had always had it as a feature maybe it would be second nature by now but it's a similar issue to forgetting that my smartphone has apps, I remember it has certain apps when it is in my hand but the second I put it down it re enters the same category as my old "dumb"-phone, so the most used calendar is the one on the corkboard, the most used clock is also on my wall etc. It takes decades to develop that kind of long term permanence. It's only in recent years I started to use google as a dictionary, for the longest time even though I could get online I was just consulting paper dictionaries.I also don't always remember emojis are a thing now and just use older forms.¯\_(γ)_/¯ <*))))<3 (I Still love this fish lol.)