Published on 12, July, 2020
I joined in January following my ASC diagnosis, the community was recommended by my assessor at the feedback session. There’s some big ways in which being a member here is helping me, my thread about fibromyalgia for example is one where I have received terrific support, information and tips which are really useful. I’m learning so much about the different ways autism presents and about various ideas for self help. I’ve been able to share the way the ASC dx enabled me to challenge then overturn the mis diagnosis of bipolar Id lived with since 1999 which I hope has helped others too. This is all keying in really well with the support I’m getting from several nhs teams and my partner’s huge positive emotional backing. There’s a big BUT though …
Quite often threads deteriorate into extreme points of view which are irrelevant to autism. I rarely take sides and by and large am staying out of the arguments but it is impossible to avoid seeing them, it isn’t possible to simply “scroll on by” as most times the thread title doesn’t suggest where the discussions end up. I am dealing with serious trauma and these posts sometimes really trigger me. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinions but I actually think it is harmful to have debates around politics, gender, sexuality, religion, race etc here in a autism community. There are places where these issues can be discussed but this shouldn’t be one of them.
My preference would be for an outright ban on these subjects, an instruction that the community is a place simply for discussion about autism and related health issues themselves not the politics and opinions of autistic people. Of course it would require a serious moderation involvement but I’m sure that can be achieved as I have no problem in reading every post every day with no more than hour of time invested
An alternative would be to follow the model of the Bipolar UK eCommunity where there is a “Contested” section for the discussion of off topic and triggering issues.
My own opinions on these off topic subjects are irrelevant but the harm having these debates salted into threads which I need to read in order to develop my understanding of autism is such that it could impinge on the progress I am making. I imagine this is true for others too, the silent majority no doubt
Thanks
Emma
HI Emma,
I think you make a really good point and have articulated it publicly in a way I haven't been able to so far. I find it tiresome when conversations devolve into slanging matches, people start spouting extreme views or if one person is made the target of lots of others nasty responses. It's very unnecessary.
I recently wrote directly to the community manager of this forum to express concern about a thread that had gone very far off topic and into some seriously hot water - they said they are aware of the comments but can't comment about what they are doing to handle the situation behind the scenes. Basically telling me "we hear you, but we're not letting you in on how this works". It pacified me enough to not argue with them but I notice the posts/poster is still around.
I personally am a big fan of the 'stop notification' button that becomes available after joining a thread, if I decide it is my time to duck out I click that and simply never return to that conversation - best to let people fight between themselves and move onto cheerier topics.
It would be nice if the moderators were more visible/active though when things are clearly across the line.
Autumn_Trees said:It pacified me enough to not argue with them but I notice the posts/poster is still around.
In the year I've been here, I've only seen posters leave voluntarily (unless they are spam).
There was a thread where someone was being accused of criminal activity.
I rarely push the 'abuse' button but I did in this case and I was horrified to find that the posts remained in place and probably still do to this day.
Yes, a firmer hand where insults and accusations are being thrown around especially, would be good.