The neurodivergence movement

You may be right. I don't think it is intentional.

The 'movement' when I have encountered it seems to be fuelled by youngsters with the enthusiasm of youth. It (a movement) has never happened before, so hats off to them, I personally see it as largely positive. I don't have a fully formed opinion yet because I'm "new" to the whole thing.

What do you think that you would like to change about it?

I don't follow any of this movement. Are you speaking about younguns on social media or the fact more people are opening up and talking about it? I can't help feeling some of it is lip service for places of work and others to say "yep we have awareness". 

In understanding yourself you come to understand others. I appreciate neurodivergent folk have it tough. In an ideal world, it would encompass both ND and NT as we ALL have to get along with each other. I mean awareness works both ways.

While awareness is a positive thing, It makes me a bit uncomfortable that people might seemingly be speaking on behalf of others without them knowing about it. We are a varied bunch and I am just myself. Does it include those who are autistic who have learning difficulties and live less independently? What about undiagnosed eccentric folk who just want a quiet life? 

What I would desire is for people to understand my literal modes of communication in particular in formal settings. This will never happen with all the awareness and adjustments in the world because it's a fundamental difference.  

The internet these days means momentum of movements is gained fairly rapidly. The squeakiest wheels get the oil! We live in a conspicuous society and so much these days are opinion pieces without drawing on any proper research or science. Autism describes how my brain works, I am a member here but wouldn't want to commit myself to any particular group.

Sorry it was meant to reply to the OP.

Good point about speaking on behalf of others. Though taking that to its conclusion, it means we can only speak for ourselves, because where is the 'line' that says someone else is 'similar' enough that they can speak for you?

With the express exception of your words "but do they really?" I do strongly agree with the spirit and importance of your opinion on these matters.  Whether we like it or not, whether we are autistic or not, whether we have been pathologised or not.........sooner or later, we simply have to just get on with life, in the best way we can.....whether we feel we have adequate support, or not, and irrespective of whether it is fair or otherwise.  The world keeps turning.

Do you think it's possible that people are over encouraged to to see everything through a lens of autism? If young people have been diagnosed early and have got all the "help" they need, then everything they've learned about the world will be viewed through the autistic lens. I think part of the problem is that once you leave education, the support stops or you're expected to cope with a much lower level of support and be more independent.

I see so many posts on here, from all ages, parents of child who've been recently diagnosed, to people like myself who were diagnosed later in life and the differences are vast, it's like we've lost sight of the commonalities between humans. An autistic child acts out and because of the autism they get further labled and pathologised, they're not being naughty or anything, but have PDA or something, but do they really? Or are they just asserting themselves in the world in the only way they know how, by acting out, becoming fussy eaters, taking their shoes off or something that nearly all children do?

out_of_step said:

I'm rambling now!

No, you're not.  Every word, a gem.

And that is for people who are able to communicate in a way the majority understands.

Like I said I don't do all the social online stuff. Autism seems to be a strong part of some people's identity....which it is because it's how we are wired. But I mean it becomes a predominant part of their.....external world. I cannot explain what I mean. People can do as they choose but I won't be walking round with an "autistic and proud" t-shirt if that makes any sense? It's actually a very personal matter and I use the label to help frame difficulties that I face in relation to the predominant neurotype. It's who we are but not the be-all and end-all.... (but it kind of is because it's fundamental brain operations). Other facets also make up our identity. 

I'm rambling now!

And that is for people who are able to communicate in a way the majority understands.

Like I said I don't do all the social online stuff. Autism seems to be a strong part of some people's identity....which it is because it's how we are wired. But I mean it becomes a predominant part of their.....external world. I cannot explain what I mean. People can do as they choose but I won't be walking round with an "autistic and proud" t-shirt if that makes any sense? It's actually a very personal matter and I use the label to help frame difficulties that I face in relation to the predominant neurotype. It's who we are but not the be-all and end-all.... (but it kind of is because it's fundamental brain operations). Other facets also make up our identity. 

I'm rambling now!

With the express exception of your words "but do they really?" I do strongly agree with the spirit and importance of your opinion on these matters.  Whether we like it or not, whether we are autistic or not, whether we have been pathologised or not.........sooner or later, we simply have to just get on with life, in the best way we can.....whether we feel we have adequate support, or not, and irrespective of whether it is fair or otherwise.  The world keeps turning.

Do you think it's possible that people are over encouraged to to see everything through a lens of autism? If young people have been diagnosed early and have got all the "help" they need, then everything they've learned about the world will be viewed through the autistic lens. I think part of the problem is that once you leave education, the support stops or you're expected to cope with a much lower level of support and be more independent.

I see so many posts on here, from all ages, parents of child who've been recently diagnosed, to people like myself who were diagnosed later in life and the differences are vast, it's like we've lost sight of the commonalities between humans. An autistic child acts out and because of the autism they get further labled and pathologised, they're not being naughty or anything, but have PDA or something, but do they really? Or are they just asserting themselves in the world in the only way they know how, by acting out, becoming fussy eaters, taking their shoes off or something that nearly all children do?

out_of_step said:

I'm rambling now!

No, you're not.  Every word, a gem.