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.
omg ! Funny as heck !
https://youtu.be/4SYc_flMnMQ
Am confused by the title. You are Brian and so is your Wife ? You are both called Brian ?
A scientific researcher friend of mine wrote to me some time ago that many NTs have covert autistic tacts. Although NT. §True about the difficulties you described: I agree with you. § The last five lines of your post are stunning. Tell the truth!
There is a difference between someone having some autistic traits, many people do, and being diagnosed, or diagnosable, as autistic. There is obviously a continuum between diagnosed autistics and people who are not quite diagnosable. However, being a diagnosed, or diagnosable, autistic is an acknowledgement that you have specific difficulties that adversely affect you on a day-to-day and lifetime basis. That is the defining distance between being autistic and being allistic.
If anyone gives you the 'all on the spectrum' spiel, just ask them if they think that a psychiatrist or other clinician, or team of clinicians, would be likely to diagnose them as autistic. If they answer yes, tell them to see their GP about getting a diagnostic assessment, if they answer no, tell them that they therefore can have no valid opinion on the difficulties of being autistic.
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.
He may have some unclear ideas. It could also belong to a subclinical case. He writes that he has a diagnosis. We have to trust each of us to say things about himself. §So, I've been working on it, on diagnostic tests. They are both indicative and if well experienced reliable. Clearly the diagnosis is only medical. § My plot in tests is oriented only in the ND hemisphere. And that makes living in an NT world complicated. I feel like an alien. I have a lot of inconvenience.
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.
I agree
You would know if you were autistic. You will have had marked difficulties since you were a small child. It is not surprising people have this ignorant mindset with all these quick questionnaires available and that’s their basis for thinking they might be. No wonder the waiting lists are so long. Online tests and questionnaires are not reliable diagnostic tools. They are more like personality quizzes that don’t reflect the true struggles a person with autism has throughout their life
I find the remark "we are all on the soectrum" offensive. I am not formally diagnosed yet. We are not all on the spectrum, because we are not all born with a neurodevelopment delay. The assessment looks at very specific " challenges" and "differences" from childhood.
My opinion is that this remark minimises the very real difficulties that we are presented with. It is not a choice. Please correct me if i have got this wrong, i am still learning.
I think that if we screened everyone in the world, everyone would fit somewhere on a sliding scale between what we define 'normal' and what we define 'neurodiverse' - sure.
But I think when it comes to diagnostic criteria, at least in my experience getting diagnosed, they're looking for certain markers or 'tell tale' signs in your life that you fit these boxes to call you 'autistic' (or ADHD or BPD or depressed, or whatever else). I have seen people on the SCOPE website say they have been screened and it came back saying they aren't autistic, but I haven't seen that on this site I don't think.
Interesting question though.