3 ms·

I have two children diagnosed. I'm confident that if I had grown up in the 2000s instead of the 1980s, I would also have been diagnosed. But none of us are debi

I have two children diagnosed. I'm confident that if I had grown up in the 2000s instead of the 1980s, I would also have been diagnosed. But none of us are debilitated by it, and if you took away the limiting factors, you'd remove much of our personality and interests as well. There's nothing about them or me that I'd trade our identity to get rid of. But I'm not facing the challenges that people with severe autism have, so grain of salt.

Obi_Juan_Kenobi 7y ago
I think you're seriously underselling the challenges of even 'high functioning' autism/ASD-1/aspergers. In this group, the suicide rate is nine times higher than the general population, contributing to a life expectancy 12 years lower. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26541693 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26541693 As for identifying with the disorder, this is not an uncommon response, but I think it's fraught. It seems a coping mechanism more than a reasoned reflection of how the condition shaped one's life. Understandable, certainly, but also potentially quite misguided.
- IIAOPSW 7y ago
  The suicide rate among LGBTQ is also some outrageous multiple higher than average and in the not to distant past that was also a bona fide psychological diagnosis. You see the intrinsic problem with codifying anything out of the ordinary as a "disorder"?
  - giggles_giggles 7y ago
    That's a slippery argument. At the low functioning end of the autism spectrum are behaviors like tantrums, compulsive violence towards self and others, and behaviors like fecal smearing. We also need to be careful not to ignore clearly disordered behavior. That is not compassionate towards the afflicted, either. If a disorder can't be labeled a disorder, the patient cannot be treated.
    - krageon 7y ago
      > If a disorder can't be labeled a disorder, the patient cannot be treated. It is perfectly possible to seek treatment for personality traits that are not a disorder but still impact your life significantly.
  - Smithalicious 7y ago
    > You see the intrinsic problem with codifying anything out of the ordinary as a "disorder"? Isn't that just the definition of the word "dis-order"?
- gugagore 7y ago
  I'm curious, what's your relationship with autism? You're replying to someone who indicated theirs, and shared their experience, in a fairly dismissive way. Suicide rate doesn't tell you what you want, as the sibling comment about the comparison to LGBTQ+ people points out. My reason for posting this comment is to suggest that anyone reading take a look at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_model_of_disability https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_model_of_disability
- pchristensen 7y ago
  The reason I say I would have been diagnosed by today’s standards is because I attended my children’s screenings, read their diagnoses, and did additional research. The definition and diagnostic criteria for autism were intentionally broadened so more kids would get identified and led to early interventions. I’m not underselling anyone else’s experience - I’ve seen some of the extreme personal and family difficulties people with severe autism face. I’m saying that for me and my family, we have been well equipped to deal with the difficulties it presents, from a healthcare, social support, family support, and financial perspective. I do not at all identify with the disorder, and we struggle with the degree to describe our kids as well. I was trying to say that a) I am me and I know and like myself, b) by the current diagnostic standards, I believe I would have been diagnosed as a child, and c) I don’t know how much changing b would affect a.

Obi_Juan_Kenobi 7y ago

I think you're seriously underselling the challenges of even 'high functioning' autism/ASD-1/aspergers. In this group, the suicide rate is nine times higher than the general population, contributing to a life expectancy 12 years lower. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26541693 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26541693 As for identifying with the disorder, this is not an uncommon response, but I think it's fraught. It seems a coping mechanism more than a reasoned reflection of how the condition shaped one's life. Understandable, certainly, but also potentially quite misguided.

IIAOPSW 7y ago
The suicide rate among LGBTQ is also some outrageous multiple higher than average and in the not to distant past that was also a bona fide psychological diagnosis. You see the intrinsic problem with codifying anything out of the ordinary as a "disorder"?
- giggles_giggles 7y ago
  That's a slippery argument. At the low functioning end of the autism spectrum are behaviors like tantrums, compulsive violence towards self and others, and behaviors like fecal smearing. We also need to be careful not to ignore clearly disordered behavior. That is not compassionate towards the afflicted, either. If a disorder can't be labeled a disorder, the patient cannot be treated.
  - krageon 7y ago
    > If a disorder can't be labeled a disorder, the patient cannot be treated. It is perfectly possible to seek treatment for personality traits that are not a disorder but still impact your life significantly.
- Smithalicious 7y ago
  > You see the intrinsic problem with codifying anything out of the ordinary as a "disorder"? Isn't that just the definition of the word "dis-order"?
gugagore 7y ago
I'm curious, what's your relationship with autism? You're replying to someone who indicated theirs, and shared their experience, in a fairly dismissive way. Suicide rate doesn't tell you what you want, as the sibling comment about the comparison to LGBTQ+ people points out. My reason for posting this comment is to suggest that anyone reading take a look at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_model_of_disability https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_model_of_disability
pchristensen 7y ago
The reason I say I would have been diagnosed by today’s standards is because I attended my children’s screenings, read their diagnoses, and did additional research. The definition and diagnostic criteria for autism were intentionally broadened so more kids would get identified and led to early interventions. I’m not underselling anyone else’s experience - I’ve seen some of the extreme personal and family difficulties people with severe autism face. I’m saying that for me and my family, we have been well equipped to deal with the difficulties it presents, from a healthcare, social support, family support, and financial perspective. I do not at all identify with the disorder, and we struggle with the degree to describe our kids as well. I was trying to say that a) I am me and I know and like myself, b) by the current diagnostic standards, I believe I would have been diagnosed as a child, and c) I don’t know how much changing b would affect a.