I've noticed more posts recently where people are saying they have received an autism diagnosis but then they add Aspergers in brackets.
It has been more than 12 years since it was dropped as a clinical term so I'm wondering why it seems to be talked about more in these last few weeks.
It was just a passing curiosity.
I'd noticed that and had been wondering the same thing. Nearly commented on one of the posts to ask but didn't want to cause any offense.
When I was diagnosed it was Aspergers, rather than autism, Maybe people are confused by levels, I know I am, people talk about levels, aspergers, ND and a whole alphabet of other things. Maybe people feel more comfortable with aspergers as an identifier because even though it's not used in diagnosis anymore people know what it is?
It still feels like people with lower support needs are being ignored for the needs we have and not really accepted for the things we do well. I feel like we're either expected to be Elon Musk or dribbling in a corner somewhere, the rest of us, I suspect the majority are just left to get on with it.
I'll be honest. Being autistic and having worked in SEND for about 15 years. I still don't really understand what the old Asperger's diagnosis was about. It's use with diagnosis was sporadic and didn't add up. I don't know why we can't just diagnose autism spectrum condition and be done with it. Support should be given on an individual basis not based on a number they were diagnosed with. Particularly when these diagnoses are being given to children who may change a lot in their life time but the number will never change.
I agree with you there. People still think the spectrum is a straight line and they seem to think you are either at one end or the other of it. It is frustrating to say the least.
My concern is partly that people who need more support risk being overshadowed because they are less visible. If employed high flying types become the general perception there will be a harder attitude to those needing support
Conversely if the opposite view prevailed, then it would be harder for everyone to get jobs as everyone would be seen as a liability.
I think one of the arguments for putting everyone together was to stop stereotypes. I don't know how well this works in the mind of the average person. But attitudes take time to change and you have to start somewhere
But only certain people seem of interest to the media.
You are probably right. But I struggle with these kinds of mind sets. How can we want there to be less stigma for autism but then want to separate ourselves from others on the spectrum because we see our selves as better. Drives me mad.
I don't know why we can't just diagnose autism spectrum condition and be done with it.
My observations on this are that :
1 - some people don't want to be associated with the low functioning people on the spectrum. It is sort of a stigma thing.
2 - there is an element of snobbery for some. They want to be seen as better than others as they have some trait they think is better - a higher IQ for example.
3 - Some people are naturally competetive and you can see this when some are comparing their scores on tests etc. It is a fairly basic human quality.
4 - some don't understand the scales used in the DSM5 and will come up with some other idea for describing themselves that makes sense to them.
These are some of the contributing factors as far as I see them.
I don't know why we can't just diagnose autism spectrum condition and be done with it.
My observations on this are that :
1 - some people don't want to be associated with the low functioning people on the spectrum. It is sort of a stigma thing.
2 - there is an element of snobbery for some. They want to be seen as better than others as they have some trait they think is better - a higher IQ for example.
3 - Some people are naturally competetive and you can see this when some are comparing their scores on tests etc. It is a fairly basic human quality.
4 - some don't understand the scales used in the DSM5 and will come up with some other idea for describing themselves that makes sense to them.
These are some of the contributing factors as far as I see them.
My concern is partly that people who need more support risk being overshadowed because they are less visible. If employed high flying types become the general perception there will be a harder attitude to those needing support
Conversely if the opposite view prevailed, then it would be harder for everyone to get jobs as everyone would be seen as a liability.
I think one of the arguments for putting everyone together was to stop stereotypes. I don't know how well this works in the mind of the average person. But attitudes take time to change and you have to start somewhere
But only certain people seem of interest to the media.
You are probably right. But I struggle with these kinds of mind sets. How can we want there to be less stigma for autism but then want to separate ourselves from others on the spectrum because we see our selves as better. Drives me mad.
