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Triad of Impairments and research

Marjorie195

I have followed with interest on here the many discussions re the diagnosis of ASD and the Traid of Impairments.

The body of knowledge and understanding of ASD has increased dramatically since the 70s, when I first learned a little about it. High functioning autism is relatively new, as a diagnosis. Mis-diagnosis still abounds, because of the overlaping symptoms with, Bipolar, Personality Disorder, OCD, Paranoia, Social Phobia, and I have no doubt, many other conditions.

Many of our accademics, psychiatrists, doctors and researchers, were training before the increased knowledge of ASD was available. Our thinking, as we age, is more likely to follow the old pathways, than to embrace the new, untried ideas. People stick to the proven diagnoses, with which they are familiar.

What we are in need of now, is research into these grey areas of diagnosis, such as the myriad of sensory issues from which many with ASD suffer. For example, the condition Auditory processing disorder, is recognised by those testing hearing, but not necessarily as part of ASD. This could be researched to discover to what extent it is a symptom of ASD or any other mental or physical conditions, or whether it is a "free standing" problem, occuring unrelated to other conditions. This approach could be taken with so many of the "grey area" symptoms of ASD.

There is a great shortage of money for everything. Students are often prepared to undertake work for very little money, to learn and to build a future career and indeed just to get the necessary qualifications to start their career. These students are young, open minded, impressionable and keen to make a difference. They are also the researchers of tommorrow. They will educate our grandchildren and treat their ailments and disorders.

The accademics of today are not listening to us, the NAS are not apparently listening to us. They have minds requiring evidence and proof.

Students often approach this site seeking help with their research. How ever flawed their motives, they want to listen, they need to do research, we could feed these young minds with our knowledge, experience and ideas. If they find us unwilling, unhelpful etc they may seek easier subjects to study.

If we cannot change today, we may at least be able to influence the future.

Parents

  • Just to pick up on mld's plans to do a PhD on suicide, the thing that concerns me is that most research assumes it is depression as a consequence of autism that gives rise to suicidal thoughts, not the autism itself. So all current research addresses suicide in terms of depression (with autism just one cause of depression). Yet people at the abler end of the spectrum often contemplate or go through with suicide, probably because they are trying to survive in the real world of work, social relationships etc. They may show no obvious signs of depression.

    So why does all the funding go to research on depression and suicide?

    It may not be easy for mld to choose the approach. PhD research is often nested in other research going on at the host institution and may be directed to compliment the work of lead researchers, so you risk having to do a PhD towards expected outcomes.

    The chance to be reactionary, or rebellious is often out of the question. mld may have to "toe the party line" but once research is advanced there may be opportunities to direct things your own way, and of course with a PhD in the bag you have far more autonomy with post-doctoral research.

    The real problem lies in the way funding bodies are loyal to "safe bets" - giving money to people who just want to produce variations on a theme, to finance the department. It is ever so hard to rebel.

    Marjorie is right, be more cat...or whatever. Getting results is about changing perspectives. Real research comes about when people start looking at what is actually happening.

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  • Just to pick up on mld's plans to do a PhD on suicide, the thing that concerns me is that most research assumes it is depression as a consequence of autism that gives rise to suicidal thoughts, not the autism itself. So all current research addresses suicide in terms of depression (with autism just one cause of depression). Yet people at the abler end of the spectrum often contemplate or go through with suicide, probably because they are trying to survive in the real world of work, social relationships etc. They may show no obvious signs of depression.

    So why does all the funding go to research on depression and suicide?

    It may not be easy for mld to choose the approach. PhD research is often nested in other research going on at the host institution and may be directed to compliment the work of lead researchers, so you risk having to do a PhD towards expected outcomes.

    The chance to be reactionary, or rebellious is often out of the question. mld may have to "toe the party line" but once research is advanced there may be opportunities to direct things your own way, and of course with a PhD in the bag you have far more autonomy with post-doctoral research.

    The real problem lies in the way funding bodies are loyal to "safe bets" - giving money to people who just want to produce variations on a theme, to finance the department. It is ever so hard to rebel.

    Marjorie is right, be more cat...or whatever. Getting results is about changing perspectives. Real research comes about when people start looking at what is actually happening.

Children
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