3 ms·

As a father of a 15 year old girl with autism on the lower ability end of the spectrum I agree with some of what your saying. I feel that the 'spectrum' is gett

As a father of a 15 year old girl with autism on the lower ability end of the spectrum I agree with some of what your saying. I feel that the 'spectrum' is getting so wide that anyone that has any social issues, or has any odd habits is labeled as autistic now. It's frustrating when I hear people that are fully functional in society and maybe just have a hard time socializing with people (probably because they grew up on facebook, etc... and never really interacted with real people) that say they are autistic. It is like the new ADHD. I spent the first 11 years of my daughters life changing diapers, usually with her fighting me the entire time. Wasn't until she was 7 that she ever even called me dad. 15 now and can barely read Dr. Suess books or answer basic yes or no questions. I worry that as more and more fully functioning people are added to the spectrum that it will result in less help out there for people like my daughter that really need it.

taurath 11y ago
I would certainly hope not - they may call it a continuum but that does only really muddy the water. While there are a lot of similarities in what can help high functioning and low functioning people cope the amount of day-to-day help can be black and white. I much preferred when high functioning people had "aspergers", because even within the high functioning moniker there's a huge range. HF folks don't like to be treated as if they have a fundamental disability (which is disempowering) just as caretakers of LF people need a lot more of the recognition and assistance that a serious disability requires.
ScottBurson 11y ago
> I worry that as more and more fully functioning people are added to the spectrum that it will result in less help out there for people like my daughter that really need it. Do you actually see this happening? It seems to me just as likely that greater awareness of the entire spectrum will bring more acceptance and more resources. Anyway, for my wife, learning that she has Asperger syndrome has been a great relief. It's hard for me to see that as a bad thing. Your story is heart-wrenching, and I hope your daughter gets the help she needs. I just don't see why my wife's experience and yours need to be in conflict.
- autismdad 11y ago
  I've noticed a huge shift in peoples opinions towards autism since I've had my daughter and I do think it will affect the overall help available to people with autism. The more you add higher functioning people to the spectrum, the more people don't see it as a debilitating mental illness. Whenever I mention to someone these days that my daughter has autism, they don't really get what that means. They say things like "oh, is she really good at math" or "my coworker has autism too". And I'm thinking no she doesn't really understand even the most basic math, she'll likely not ever be able to have a real job, and who's going to take care of her when I'm gone because she needs help all day every day just to get through the day. I strongly believe there needs to be a clear distinction between higher functioning people on the spectrum and the people that are really struggling with the most basic aspects of life. Anyway, I get that people have different opinions, that's just mine. :)

taurath 11y ago

I would certainly hope not - they may call it a continuum but that does only really muddy the water. While there are a lot of similarities in what can help high functioning and low functioning people cope the amount of day-to-day help can be black and white. I much preferred when high functioning people had "aspergers", because even within the high functioning moniker there's a huge range. HF folks don't like to be treated as if they have a fundamental disability (which is disempowering) just as caretakers of LF people need a lot more of the recognition and assistance that a serious disability requires.

ScottBurson 11y ago

> I worry that as more and more fully functioning people are added to the spectrum that it will result in less help out there for people like my daughter that really need it. Do you actually see this happening? It seems to me just as likely that greater awareness of the entire spectrum will bring more acceptance and more resources. Anyway, for my wife, learning that she has Asperger syndrome has been a great relief. It's hard for me to see that as a bad thing. Your story is heart-wrenching, and I hope your daughter gets the help she needs. I just don't see why my wife's experience and yours need to be in conflict.

autismdad 11y ago
I've noticed a huge shift in peoples opinions towards autism since I've had my daughter and I do think it will affect the overall help available to people with autism. The more you add higher functioning people to the spectrum, the more people don't see it as a debilitating mental illness. Whenever I mention to someone these days that my daughter has autism, they don't really get what that means. They say things like "oh, is she really good at math" or "my coworker has autism too". And I'm thinking no she doesn't really understand even the most basic math, she'll likely not ever be able to have a real job, and who's going to take care of her when I'm gone because she needs help all day every day just to get through the day. I strongly believe there needs to be a clear distinction between higher functioning people on the spectrum and the people that are really struggling with the most basic aspects of life. Anyway, I get that people have different opinions, that's just mine. :)