Published on 12, July, 2020
Since I went 'public' about my ASD diagnosis I've had more than one person say to me 'We're all on the spectrum mate'. At the time I found the comment slightly offensive, as if they were saying, 'You're not the only one who's got issues, just get over it', but on reflection, perhaps they have a point. In this crazy world where the borders of 'normality' are infinitely blurred, could it be that we are all on one big spectrum, but only some of us in the 'zone' that is currently classed as a disorder? I can't help wondering if everyone did the tests and questionnaires that I did when being assessed what percentage of the population would be diagnosed. The very first test I did came as quite a shock because the questions seemed so very appropriate to how I was feeling, and it returned a result of high probability. I can't decide if that's just because I do actually have ASD or because some of those questions would apply to anyone doing the test. I'd be interested to hear people's opinion on this, especially if anyone out there has done the test and returned a negative result i.e. low probability.
The statement that we are all on the autism spectrum is inconsistent. Among other things it has a hidden meaning like saying since we all have difficulties in life then we are all the same. Now I don't have the difficulties of a Trisomic 21. I won't say we are on its spectrum. Just as he or she won't say we are on his or her spectrum. § One affirmation is not univocal and it is the belonging to the Neurodiverse sector. Because this is really huge. And it doesn't just include us. § We need to be careful to say two things: 1) We are all the same because we all have problems. It is necessary to decide what they are and from what they are derived. I studied logic for 5 years. And some statements may be non-logical. § What they told you is not. § 2) We are neurologically structured differently than anyone on the autistic spectrum. Which is varied. § We need to discern percentages within a 10% range. We are in that too. 90% are not like us. A small part of the 10% includes, for example, HFAs, and is necessarily not very large. § Years ago, for example, it was now estimated that one HFA subcategory, Asperger's, was now 0.7% in the world. The estimate was not suitable, we are perhaps triple. 2.1% ? § The theory that we are all equal is wrong. We are all human has a logic and a fundamental social coherence if anything. § I think in pictures. Like Temple Grandin. Do they think so too? I do not think so. It is also true that autistic thought is not univocal in terms of images, but also mixed and in other cases internal dialogue. § The statement is wrong in the logical components in uniforming everyone to the same level. § We are not. § Our mind is organized in a completely different way. § We are very careful of those who trivialize our life in states that are similar to each other, but which in fact cannot be.