I think that the present system works fairly well. People who display certain traits and behaviours are diagnosed as autistic (ASD). Those who can live independently are just autistic, those who cannot or have more severe difficulties, are usually diagnosed with additional co-occurring conditions, such as intellectual/learning disability, being non-speaking, severely epileptic etc. etc.
In my opinion the term 'profoundly autistic' is a misnomer for people who are autistic but also have severe co-occurring conditions.
Yes, people can be highly intelligent but severely disabled by profound autism. It's a bit unfair to dismiss them.
I was thinking of 'inside autistic minds' programme, and Ken Bruce son has profound autism, but with great difficultly had written a very thought provoking piece of writing, even though he couldn't talk and barely type.
"Through his short film on the program, Murray aimed to show that a lack of spoken speech does not mean a lack of intelligence or a desire to connect with the world."
This has just made me question something in my own family history. I had a great uncle who was in an institution his whole life and I've never known any details of why. I've always been afraid of upsetting people by asking. But now I know I have autism, I wonder if he had it too..
This has just made me question something in my own family history. I had a great uncle who was in an institution his whole life and I've never known any details of why. I've always been afraid of upsetting people by asking. But now I know I have autism, I wonder if he had it too..
