Does anybody else feel that over the last ten years or so, neurodiversity has become 'big business' and has lost its focus?
Does anybody else feel that over the last ten years or so, neurodiversity has become 'big business' and has lost its focus?
Aaaaaahhhhh, now we getting somewhere. "Lumped together" If these conditions were not moved from pillar to post periodically then what would justify the millions being pumped into to research?
Lots of people do have both, but it does often feel like if you don't then you're lacking somehow and not quite autistic enough. It was the same when childhood sexual abuse was found to be so prevalent, those who'd been physically abused or beaten as I still prefer to call it, often ended feeling that their suffering wasn't enough.
Why people feel the need to lump all these things together I don't know, but is can feel like you're being othered for not being other enough.
Everything about Autism was fine, until ADHD got lumped in with us. Then, it suddenly became a gimmick; in the name of Corporate Social Responsibility.
Thank God I was diagnosed back in the Nineties, before Think Tank Britain took over. 
To Quote Ralph Wiggum, "I'm Helping!"
I normally sleep in; on Saturdays. Go, figure!
It does have the 'Only Gay in the Village' vibe; Re. Sensory Rooms/Spaces.
Perhaps I'm just a "Negative Nelly" or a "Realistic Roger" in these assessments of our fate.
I think your approach is both realistic and pragmatic - those who hope for the best from others are often dissapointed and those that rage against this reality will find neverending fuel for their anger.
I feel that accepting the world as a very imperfect place and discovering a low hassle way to co-exist is the best way to go.
Others have their own ways of course but from their experiences I think they have a harder time of it than me.
Hello B&I........fwiw, I entirely concur with your OP and your commentary here. When I first came to this place, I assumed that there would be cool, accomplished and savvy folk who would help me "leverage" my autistic self to maximum advantage - ie help me "overcome" my challenges and "accentuate" my strengths. I thought that is what recently diagnosed autistic folk would do! From what I have seen, the "commercialised" industry for autistic people states these things as it's aim........and yet that industry does not deliver!
The REAL people with autism (that I have had the pleasure to interact with here) seem to have come to understand that "quiet" acceptance and slight "obfuscation" of our true reality is the best/safest policy. Whilst this isn't a "sexy" sell to folk like us, I do think it is SUPER valuable to hear that TRUE assessment of our position as autists.....from other autists?!
Perhaps I'm just a "Negative Nelly" or a "Realistic Roger" in these assessments of our fate.
Honesty is always best?!
Yours Number.
Thank you to everybody who has replied so far.
The consensus, it seems, is that the majority does not agree as strongly as I do, which isn't surprising, as I am pretty highly strung. I suppose my viewpoint is that everybody and his dog has a diversity, equality, and inclusion policy, with all the associated bells and whistles. Yet, there is little substance or understanding when making the most cursory inquiries.
I agree that some organisations have integrated neurodiverse-friendly features into their offerings, but I do not believe this trend has continued. It may be specific to the part of the country people live in; it is the case for me, but then the resources are minimal. I could give many examples, but I do not want to bore anybody.
Thanks again to everybody for taking the time to give some insight. It is much appreciated.
I've noticed a few local shops offer quiet times for eople with sensory problems, in tesco it's from 8:30 to 10:30 on a saturday morning, a generally quiet time for the shop and before deliveries arrive and stuff is put out on the shelves, so you've have to back to get most of the stuff you'd want when its busy. Also the busyness of our shops is very dependent on the tides and when the ferries are coming and going.
I'd be happy with the lights down, sound up, but everyone has to shut up, to talking and no rustling sweets wrappers!
That'd make going to the cinema tolerable
I like the sound down but not the lights on.
The only thing I have noticed is that cinemas offer "autism-friendly" screenings, which say the sound is down and the lights are up the entire time. And I am like, what the hell is that? That is not enjoyable; it sounds like torture to me.
This is news to me, I don't use social media so I've never seen any of this or realised it happened. Plus I browse the internet privately so maybe I don't get the sales algorithm. I didn't realise ND people were being targeted with adverts.
I can say I see something like this on instagram, where I have an account and watch or read about space, magnets, technology and yeah sometimes I get bombed by posts or adverts about ND. There are the noise canceling headphones, some people think they need an autism diagnosis, to use them. Well, no! Increased sensitivity to various stimuli, like here for example to noise may appear with many different conditions, or without any conditions too. But they are advertised “for autistic people”, so it may mislead some people, they may think that if they are sensitive to noise, they are autistic. Not necessarily. But of course, whoever needs them, just buy and use. I’m not sure why they have to be advertised with the name of this specific condition. The fidget toys are not interesting to me at all. I have my way of stimming, writing numbers in rows, so I just need pen and notebook for that. And I use silicon earplugs because they are soft, small and cheap. So the companies not gonna make any big business on me. And I usually ignore their ads. Of course it’s good there are sensory aids for those who need them. But I can say it’s kind of business too. Everything is… I think
I dont watch adverts I don't go on things like youtube so my knowlege of any comercial interst in ASC is from what I read here, so I really wouldn't know. I did look at a link for clothing aimed at ND people and I can honestly say that I wouldn't wear any of it, I thought it was horrible. I don't need fidget toys and have never managed to do a rubicks cube even when they first came out.
There are some people selling products aimed at us (sensory toys and clothing with low sensory issues) but that is largely a demand finally being met.
Where there is bigger business is in the diagnosis side - the treatment side seems to be underfunded by the NHS or is part of the generally growing area of therapy.
These day there is less stigma in getting a therapist and with the generally lower levels of tolerating discomfort in recent generations there is a dig drive to do something about it.
I don't see medication being used much to treat autists (typically it is co-morbid conditions that get medicated) so there is nothing growing there.
Do you have a market sector in mind when you talk about big business?
