Published on 12, July, 2020
I'm researching autism and I cannot see a clear definition like you would for other mental health issues.
Is there a consist trait that only is present in autism and I read all the time that everyones autism is different, if this is true then in which ways is there a difference?
And I have also read that everyone has a bit of autism, and reference to a scale of autism if so is autism a sensitivity to our own senses and our severity of autism is only how over active our senses are to the natural environment?
What traits other than sensitivity overload would be associated with autism.?
Hello K,
Have you tried googling the DSM-V and/or ICD-10 diagnostic criteria?
Also, please note that autism is a developmental disorder not a mental health issue i.e. you are born with autism whereas MH conditions are acquired.
Good luck with your research,
Nessie
Hi Nessie 82,
Thanks for the info I'm looking at the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria at the moment, the other I can't seem to find as Reading material only reference I'll have another look later I think.
I was hoping thou to get feedback from the point of experience of an autistic person but the manual is good to.
What do you think to the idea that everyone is on the autistic spectrum?
I think sometimes that's the case but then I see some of my acquaintances and colleagues and I second guess that idea, as they love being social all the time and they thrive in complexity of everythg all at once, ha not like me at all and being the only autistic person I know really I'm not sure what autistic people are like and there are so many realisations I haven't had about myself so it'hard to know what's me and what is the autism hence the questions.
You're welcome. Try this site for a summary of the DSM-V: https://www.autism-watch.org/general/dsm.shtml
. said:there are so many realisations I haven't had about myself so it'hard to know what's me and what is the autism hence the questions
Ah, I completely understand. Trying to understand where our personalities stop and the autism starts is a completely justified and natural thing to want to do.
I'm still learning, I'm afraid, and not sure I'll ever stop. I was diagnosed 7 years ago, but as I move into each new stage in life—and even each new situation—I have to reassess what's me and what's the autism. My gut is, in some cases, you really can't separate the two because it's just how our brains are wired. E.g. Is it my autism that means I don't like jazz music because I find it too chaotic, or do I just not like jazz music (lots of neurotypical people do and lots don't)?
Generally speaking, I think things that cause me extreme internal distress or confusion are mostly autism-related, including those for which my mother repeatedly chastised me as a child, as well as the unintentional upset I've occasionally caused people as an adult. I'm certain that, fundamentally, I'm a good, kind and honest person. However, given that the autism makes me a natural rule-follower (a goodie-goodie), who only deals in facts (I really can't lie), and always expects others to act and feel the same (theory of mind stuff), maybe I wouldn't be such a nice person were it not for the autism. Who knows?
I feel like you are similar to me in this reasoning, but I'm not sure I'm a rule following type if I see something absurd or irrelevant I tend to ignore it enless its a criminal act. Strange because I'm so punctual and I hate seeing anyone doing something they shouldn't especially when driving.
And I don't lie either not to say that if I can avoid answering then I will sure but I don't like to lie plus I can never remember anything so telling porkies would be useless for me, which actually causes me the most problems with people.