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.
Twitch said: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'
They lack both the knowledge of the subject they are talking about and the willingness to demonstrate compassion for others.
People with autism are on a spectrum of symptoms/traits. People without autism may have some of these symptoms/traits but it does not mean they have autism.
You could draw an analogy like if someone had IBS and stomach pains and another person with stomach pains (from eating spicy food) said to them "just take an indigestion tablet and it will be fine - works for me so must work for you".
This level of ignorance and prejudice is what leads to racism, sexism and ableism.
Medical science has deemed it serious enough to classify autism as a disability and not something you just "get over". Maybe point out their ignorance and that their logic would tell a person with no legs to get over it and just walk on their hands.
from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain
Looking at the point of what is a Spectrum Disorder:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectrum_disorder
A spectrum disorder is a mental disorder that includes a range of linked conditions, sometimes also extending to include singular symptoms and traits. The different elements of a spectrum either have a similar appearance or are thought to be caused by the same underlying mechanism
The fact there is an inderlying mechanism is the key difference between NTs with symptoms and us.