My knowledge and understanding of Autism is far from in-depth and based on my own experiences and the reading material I was able to consume. But, I found reading different accounts from various people from different walks of life that the same symptom may have a widely different appearance depending on the individual. Everybody is unique and people construct different strategies and methods to deal with the same problem.
Masking strategies can be very unique to different individuals which on the surface can manifest in completely different ways. Even things like stimming can be perceived very differently. Flicking a pen, humming or singing compared to hand flapping or rocking
So in my limited knowledge in many cases the symptoms are often the same, its the manifestation based on the individual that is different.
Factor in sex, additional learning disabilities etc and the combinations can produce vastly different results.
I think this will pose a challenge for anyone trying to find a one size fits all definition
I do also think that diagnosis and disablement should be two separate things. I don't think a diagnosis of autism should automatically assign any disablement nor do I think the criteria of whether someone is disabled enough should be a factor in diagnosis of autism.
I do also think that diagnosis and disablement should be two separate things. I don't think a diagnosis of autism should automatically assign any disablement nor do I think the criteria of whether someone is disabled enough should be a factor in diagnosis of autism.
I'm not sure how that would work in practice, as the 'disablement' aspect of a diagnosis makes the criteria stricter and therefore fewer people are diagnosed ie it is diagnosed when the symptoms significantly impact your life.
If that was removed then wouldn't more people be diagnosed than already and what would be the significance of a diagnosis?
I do also think that diagnosis and disablement should be two separate things. I don't think a diagnosis of autism should automatically assign any disablement nor do I think the criteria of whether someone is disabled enough should be a factor in diagnosis of autism.
I'm not sure how that would work in practice, as the 'disablement' aspect of a diagnosis makes the criteria stricter and therefore fewer people are diagnosed ie it is diagnosed when the symptoms significantly impact your life.
If that was removed then wouldn't more people be diagnosed than already and what would be the significance of a diagnosis?
I don't know how it would work but from personal experience something as simple as reasonable adjustment by my employers could have been life changing for me as opposed to qualifying for PIP payments or blue badge entitlement.
'A lot of medical and professional literature refers to these differences as ‘restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests’ (RRBIs). They must be seen as affecting ‘everyday functioning’ for a diagnosis to be made'.
