Under-diagnosis of autism, and how should society accommodate autistic people?

I think the best thing to happen would be for allistics to be educated that, although an aspect of the environment might not cause you any distress whatsoever, if an autistic person tells you that something is causing them distress, you just believe them.

I agree Martin, education would be the best way forward and believing people would be brilliant.

I wonder if NT are feeling alienated by all the people with protected characteristics? I've heard so many people saying thing's like they feel they can't say anything to or about anyone, how much of this is a genuine wish not to cause hurt and offence and how much of it is having to realise they're not the majority they like to think they are and that others have rights that need to be respected too?

I saw a survey some years ago that said white males in the work place can only cope with a maximum of 30%, non white, or male workers before they started to feel discriminated against. I wonder how much of this attitude is still prevalent? 

I think that people don't understand invisible disabilities, I have similar issues with having osteo arthritis as I do autism, if I need to sit because I'm in pain or stand up and move around I get challenged and people just can't seem to get it. Its the same with IBS, if I need to rush to the toilet people think it's some sort of lack of control and I "should" be able to wait.

I think more help centres would be good, something like the CAB, but not for benefits or legal issues, but for other things we might struggle with like filling in forms, advice and the chance to try out various types of noise cancelling headphones and resourses like autism friendly holiday resorts or, clothing brands, a library of books and research materials on autism, a place where those interested in or engaged in research could find people to help.

The government, with its new SEND proposals, I think are signalling a general alarm over the potential costs of supporting children and adults with autism and ADHD etc. I think that very many people with such diagnoses could be very adequately supported and accommodated with remarkably inexpensive changes to 'the way things are done'. Turning down muzak or overbright lighting in public places, such as supermarkets, costs nothing at all for example. Letting autistic children sit in a school library instead of being forced out into noisy playgrounds is not going to cost the earth, but could make a huge difference.

I just asked Google why shops play music, and apparently most people do like it!

The article says: "Imagine shopping in complete silence; it would feel unnatural and uncomfortable. Music fills this void, creating a more inviting and pleasant environment."

But we don't shop in silence - when I go into my local Aldi where no music is playing, there are the sounds of people talking, baskets being lifted out of the stack, tills beeping, etc. When I visit my local independent pharmacy I can communicate with the assistant or pharmacist about medications without having screeching singing in the background, unlike Boots or Superdrug.

Then it goes on to say "At its core, the goal of playing music in stores is to boost sales. Research has shown that the right kind of music can encourage shoppers to not only stay longer in the store but also to buy more."

Ahhh, so it's not really to please people, it's because they believe it makes people buy more. I wonder how robust the research was that "proved" this theory. Aldi, Lidl and Primark all achieve high levels of sales without music in their stores.

I think that stores which do want to play music should have several periods during the week where they turn it off, and not just for an hour at 8am.

TheCatWoman said:

Maybe we should think more carefully about how all children are educated

I was reading the reaction from teachers about the proposed SEND changes and their reactions were that it is a great idea but they lack the manpower and budget to be able to do what is recommended. 

The education system seems to be struggling in the same way as the NHS as the government have deprioritised their budgets over other things in the current climate.

From what I have heard there is adequate education about autism at the moment so future generations should be better informed. The trick will be to educate the working people who lack the interest and/or time to take this on.

Any suggestions on how this could be done in a positive way?

Those changes would be great, I asked the manager in my local tesco's if the music could be turned down or preferably off, but he said people like it, I asked him if he had asked people and knew for certain. When I mentioned autism, he said they they have a quiet hour at 8am on a saturday morning and agreed with me that they wouldnt have had any deliveries and that many shelves would be empty, but it was said with such a sick smile that I think he wants us to be uncomfortable.

When you've got attitudes like that, it's no wonder so many people have problems. I'm not sure education would work with some one like that who seemed to enjoy the discomfort of others.

I don't think services for people with autism should come out of the NHS budget as autism isn't a medical condition in itself, other medical conditions such as depression can arise out of being in an unfriendly environment for much of ones life. As Martin has suggested there are plenty of other, fairly minor and inexpensive things that could be done first. I'm sure that lots of places complained about the expense of having doors wide enough to admit a wheelchair and lifts to upper floors and ramps, but few people think twice about it now, it's just how things are done.

Maybe we should think more carefully about how all children are educated, not just ND people, I'm sure there are lots of small changes that would enhance learning. If we wanted to do something bigger then actually thinking about how we educate, what we educate for would be long overdue. This wouldn't be an overnight solution, but it would be a great way forward.

Those changes would be great, I asked the manager in my local tesco's if the music could be turned down or preferably off, but he said people like it, I asked him if he had asked people and knew for certain. When I mentioned autism, he said they they have a quiet hour at 8am on a saturday morning and agreed with me that they wouldnt have had any deliveries and that many shelves would be empty, but it was said with such a sick smile that I think he wants us to be uncomfortable.

When you've got attitudes like that, it's no wonder so many people have problems. I'm not sure education would work with some one like that who seemed to enjoy the discomfort of others.

I don't think services for people with autism should come out of the NHS budget as autism isn't a medical condition in itself, other medical conditions such as depression can arise out of being in an unfriendly environment for much of ones life. As Martin has suggested there are plenty of other, fairly minor and inexpensive things that could be done first. I'm sure that lots of places complained about the expense of having doors wide enough to admit a wheelchair and lifts to upper floors and ramps, but few people think twice about it now, it's just how things are done.

Maybe we should think more carefully about how all children are educated, not just ND people, I'm sure there are lots of small changes that would enhance learning. If we wanted to do something bigger then actually thinking about how we educate, what we educate for would be long overdue. This wouldn't be an overnight solution, but it would be a great way forward.

I just asked Google why shops play music, and apparently most people do like it!

The article says: "Imagine shopping in complete silence; it would feel unnatural and uncomfortable. Music fills this void, creating a more inviting and pleasant environment."

But we don't shop in silence - when I go into my local Aldi where no music is playing, there are the sounds of people talking, baskets being lifted out of the stack, tills beeping, etc. When I visit my local independent pharmacy I can communicate with the assistant or pharmacist about medications without having screeching singing in the background, unlike Boots or Superdrug.

Then it goes on to say "At its core, the goal of playing music in stores is to boost sales. Research has shown that the right kind of music can encourage shoppers to not only stay longer in the store but also to buy more."

Ahhh, so it's not really to please people, it's because they believe it makes people buy more. I wonder how robust the research was that "proved" this theory. Aldi, Lidl and Primark all achieve high levels of sales without music in their stores.

I think that stores which do want to play music should have several periods during the week where they turn it off, and not just for an hour at 8am.

TheCatWoman said:

Maybe we should think more carefully about how all children are educated

I was reading the reaction from teachers about the proposed SEND changes and their reactions were that it is a great idea but they lack the manpower and budget to be able to do what is recommended. 

The education system seems to be struggling in the same way as the NHS as the government have deprioritised their budgets over other things in the current climate.

From what I have heard there is adequate education about autism at the moment so future generations should be better informed. The trick will be to educate the working people who lack the interest and/or time to take this on.

Any suggestions on how this could be done in a positive way?