The ASD thread (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

[Amara 94]

What if humans are ableist?

[biscuits]

^ that's really interesting to think about. Body language has always been something I've struggled with and I feel physically awkward like I don't know what to do with my hands. Over time, I've found ways to cover it up - like fiddling with a pen or one of those coiled hairbands, or having a drink in my hand. Although the amount of times I've poured a cup of tea into my lap or at someone because I forget it's in my hand... haha

But I think my fiddling draws attention to me.

But yes, all the body language advice it's very difficult to follow because it feels so robotic and contrived - in my own experience!

[Dougella]

This is interesting. I can't help but think that the amount of supporting evidence from medical professionals/teachers/mental health professionals etc and from family members and childhood school reports someone is able to provide must affect the assessment process and outcome.


"Some NHS centres twice as likely to diagnose adults as autistic, study finds"

https://www.theguardian.com/society/...ic-study-finds

[BFG_]

^ the nhs assessment I had was a joke I could have sat there and convinced them I was neurotypical or neurodiverse. The questions were so predictable and basic.

Panel of 3 numpties sat opposite me seemed clueless.

I predict in about 10 years time they'll be a huge thing similar to being mis sold ppi "were you misdiagnosed as being autistic by the nhs...you could be due thousands in compensation."

Imagine how many kids are being diagnosed as being on the spectrum just so their mum can blag a bigger council house.

[Dougella]

^ How long ago were you assessed?

Given the fact that waiting lists are so long right now and people need to provide significant evidence to even be considered for an assessment I don't think it's actually likely that people who aren't autistic will have been diagnosed as such. Especially through the NHS.

I do see there being a problem with ADHD diagnosis sometimes being mistaken when people have other conditions such as CPTSD though.

[Amara 94]

Originally Posted by BFG_

^ the nhs assessment I had was a joke I could have sat there and convinced them I was neurotypical or neurodiverse. The questions were so predictable and basic.

Panel of 3 numpties sat opposite me seemed clueless.

I predict in about 10 years time they'll be a huge thing similar to being mis sold ppi "were you misdiagnosed as being autistic by the nhs...you could be due thousands in compensation."

Imagine how many kids are being diagnosed as being on the spectrum just so their mum can blag a bigger council house.

I had to wait 4+ years to get assessed and went private because NHS would take forever. I had an old doctor say I couldn't be autistic one say I was depressed but not autistic because I gave too much eye contact.

I predict in about 10 years time they'll be a huge thing similar to being mis sold ppi "were you misdiagnosed as being autistic by the nhs...you could be due thousands in compensation."

Maybe, this isn't too far fetched. I actually watched a video by someone who has researched autism. I think neurodiversity is gaining awareness but isn't well understood by most people yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pak8Wk2LcBw

[BFG_]

^^2020

[Amara 94]

Originally Posted by Dougella

^ How long ago were you assessed?

Given the fact that waiting lists are so long right now and people need to provide significant evidence to even be considered for an assessment I don't think it's actually likely that people who aren't autistic will have been diagnosed as such. Especially through the NHS.

I do see there being a problem with ADHD diagnosis sometimes being mistaken when people have other conditions such as CPTSD though.

According to the video I linked autistic people are more susceptible to CPTSD because of how we process information and look at small details rather than the big picture.

But small details, bottom up learning, from experience it seems like I learn things by focusing on the details but when I have learnt it I can focus on both the detail and the big picture. I don't understand the concept well but do think bottom up learning sounds simplified to me.

[Dougella]

^^ Ah so not that long ago.

[BFG_]

Originally Posted by Amara 94

I had to wait 4+ years to get assessed and went private because NHS would take forever. I had an old doctor say I couldn't be autistic one say I was depressed but not autistic because I gave too much eye contact.



]

My gp referred me after a long phone call in which I drove him round the bend. No idea what he put in my referral letter but I got assessed in less than a year.

You need to know how to play the system and what buttons to push.

[Dougella]

^ "Patient is very insistent"

[BFG_]

^ gp code for get this as$#ole away from my surgery

[Amara 94]

Originally Posted by BFG_

My gp referred me after a long phone call in which I drove him round the bend. No idea what he put in my referral letter but I got assessed in less than a year.

You need to know how to play the system and what buttons to push.

Yeah I guess so. I think if I had the money I would want to get reassessed to make sure. Although so far the diagnosis hasn’t been for my advantage.

[Dougella]

Originally Posted by Amara 94

According to the video I linked autistic people are more susceptible to CPTSD because of how we process information and look at small details rather than the big picture.

But small details, bottom up learning, from experience it seems like I learn things by focusing on the details but when I have learnt it I can focus on both the detail and the big picture. I don't understand the concept well but do think bottom up learning sounds simplified to me.

Ah i can see how that could be the case, and ofcourse people can have both. It's a very complex thing!

[Dougella]

"What's behind the UK's increase in autism diagnoses?"

https://www.theguardian.com/society/...neurodiversity

[Merry]

I have thought for a long time that the umbrella term "autism" isn't fit for purpose.

[BFG_]

^it doesn't make sense. I understand using the terms neurotypical and neurodiverse they make sense as its just two different ways your brain can be wired. But to automatically dump you into a category of neurodiverse...autistic....therefore disabled is bullshit.

Most of my colleagues are neurotypical and I can run rings round them but I'm the disabled one. I'll use the label to my advantage but it is drivel.

[Amara 94]

Autism isn't necessarily a disability but a brain difference.

It's a disability if you need to use skills that neurotypicals would be stronger at daily. Maybe we need to understand the brain on a more solid level to understand neurodiversity but then I imagine autism or ADHD would really have so many variations and subcategories.

[Dougella]

^ Yes, it's a difference. It can have disabling aspects for some people, it can also have a lot of strengths and positives. That needs to be recognised much more.

[Amara 94]

The answer to autism overdiagnosis is actually within the first 9 minutes of this video. I’m listening to it again.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pak8Wk2LcBw

[Amara 94]

Do you ever find some of your stims funny?

I’ve been running much more. I have ran four days since last Saturday. I think this has made me a bit more aware of how I walk out maybe improved my posture a bit.

As I felt more balance kitchen portering I have began to use my legs more when drying plates and stuff to put in The trolley. I use my legs by balancing on one leg and swaying the plate from the dishwasher to the trolley at the side. I swing my upper body. I don’t really watch martial arts or boxing but it reminds me of a martial artist keeping their rhythm side to side. When I think about it it’s almost like it looks possessive or something.

[Dougella]

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...ging-diagnosis

"The sudden rise of AuDHD: what is behind rocketing rates of this life changing diagnosis?" (Autism and ADHD.)

[Amara 94]

The definition of ASD and ADHD has broadened over the years.

[Dougella]

^ I'm not sure that the definition has broadened but the understanding of how they can present in people and things like masking has become more understood. For example people previously being told they couldn't be autistic if they made eye contact or if they weren't obsessed with trains and buses.

[BFG_]

What is fueling the sudden rise in autism/adhd diagnosis?.....pip claims

Labels = free cash

Rain mans going to bankrupt the uk.

[biscuits]

^ that's unlikely to be the case because most people want to work if they can and a diagnosis helps to have adjustments made.

Originally Posted by Amara 94

The definition of ASD and ADHD has broadened over the years.

This is true. The diagnosis criteria for both ADHD and ASD have changed over time e.g. There used to be five different/separate diagnosis titles for ASD, but now ASD is an umbrella term. The diagnostic criteria for ADHD has also changed e.g. it no longer needs to cause impairment, and the age of onset doesn't have to be during a specific age range.

[Dougella]

Originally Posted by BFG_

What is fueling the sudden rise in autism/adhd diagnosis?.....pip claims

Labels = free cash

Rain mans going to bankrupt the uk.

But you got an autism diagnosis in adulthood right? Did you do it to claim benefits?

Or because like most people there were things you realised you'd struggled with for a long time and wanted to know if being autistic could be the reason why?

[Merry]

I was diagnosed 14 years ago and I don’t work but still didn’t get PIP. It’s not easy to get or to go through the process, it was really humiliating. It even said on my diagnosis that PIP was recommended but I didn’t know what it was, I didn’t realise that you could get it while working, so didn’t apply at the time.
It’s not a large amount of money either, and definitely doesn’t come close to a salary. It would help me now I don’t work though.

[BFG_]

I'm mainly on about the huge backlog of autism adhd child diagnosis the nhs is struggling to fulfill.

Points mean prizes there's a lot of very grumpy parents adamant little Johnny is autistic because they get extra cash if he gets his diagnosis.

As for adults being diagnosed I'm sure everyone on here js totally honest and has no intention of taking advantage of the benefit system but it can be done, I'm sure it's not hard once you get your golden ticket.

[BFG_]

Originally Posted by Dougella

But you got an autism diagnosis in adulthood right? Did you do it to claim benefits?

No, I did it to **** my employer over as they were trying to dismiss me. Soon as they got my diagnosis they backed off as they knew next step would be tribunal.