Do you think Autism has a negative image?

One thought keeps cropping up and would like to get your views on this topic. Do you think Autism has a negative image in a general sense? Until recently I knew very little about it and from the little I did know I thought of TV programmes like the A word. More recently, now I am a bit more attuned to things, I've noticed on the media/TV that autism is portrayed as a mental health condition. Patience seems a more positive view and a bit of an exception. I watched unforgotten recently on ITV and there was a lad on that they clearly had problems but all they talked about was his autism. Then I was watching the news earlier on and there was a young girl who sounded like she took her own life but had previously been arrested as suspected far right terrorist. Again they mentioned she was autistic.

Maybe I am just seeing more negative cases?

Would be interested to understand what you think?

It seems like a real barrier to me in terms of being open about being autistic when its potentially perceived in negative way? 

Parents
  • As someone once said, it can take a real effrot for a fully qualified Doctor to tell you that you child has Autism, whereas the playground can sniff it out in five minutes... 

    The important thing is that YOU know why you are & how you are.

    The NT's don't rush up to you and tel you in one word "By your standards I am unreliable and weird" which is about teh best interpretation that you will get when they learn that you have Autism, so don't tell them.

    There are legal and employment and "queuing at an airport" situations where being able to whip out the Autism card may confer a short acting advantage, but Autism is generally (possibly correctly) seen as a weakness, and who needs to start out from a weak position?  

Reply
  • As someone once said, it can take a real effrot for a fully qualified Doctor to tell you that you child has Autism, whereas the playground can sniff it out in five minutes... 

    The important thing is that YOU know why you are & how you are.

    The NT's don't rush up to you and tel you in one word "By your standards I am unreliable and weird" which is about teh best interpretation that you will get when they learn that you have Autism, so don't tell them.

    There are legal and employment and "queuing at an airport" situations where being able to whip out the Autism card may confer a short acting advantage, but Autism is generally (possibly correctly) seen as a weakness, and who needs to start out from a weak position?  

Children
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