This comment may come out wrong, but it is intended as an honest question (at the end) on this topic (whether it be autism or ADHD)... Speaking only for my sel

This comment may come out wrong, but it is intended as an honest question (at the end) on this topic (whether it be autism or ADHD)... Speaking only for my self, my own perceptions, and very little knowledge or understanding of what such a diagnosis _actually_ means, I think the biggest "issue" (or misunderstanding) I have is with respect to how it "dumbed-down" to non professionals. I liken most of the comments I hear - and read (online, in news/articles) - about autism to those of astrology: literally these are traits that describe every last person who has ever lived. It's just a matter of what side of the bed you happened to wake up on that day. For example, I literally just googled "autism symptoms" and the first link is to the CDC, which quickly summarized the following (highlighting a few). And before I list these, please know I'm not knocking or attempting to belittle the following items as opposed to noting what myself - and likely many, many others - initially think when they hear something phrases like those being written in an article or stated by a "random" parent. * Avoids or does not keep eye contact - literally so many people I know who just aren't very assertive or are extra shy * Does not share interests with others - so, only children who grow up learning to play alone? * Lines up toys or other objects and gets upset when order is changed - I dislike things in my house not being symmetric, so what? * Plays with toys the same way every time - kids _love_ repetition * Has obsessive interests - like me and programming at age 6? * Must follow certain routines - most kids thrive off routine and schedules Then there's an entire list of things that parents likely should never look at because they're mind will instantly jump to "my kid has autism" and think they should be treated special: * Delayed <insert whatever skill here> - everyone develop and different rates * Usually eating/sleeping habits - seriously? as compared to...? * Constipation - really? * Lack of fear or more than expected - so pretty much "different than me?" I'm HONESTLY ASKING what people who have this condition (or parents/siblings of them) would like those of us who only have these dumbed-down snippets to know about them and think about instead? If I can train myself to think of X whenever I hear symptom Y then I think things will be better. But right now, the best I can do is just remind myself "what do I know?" and try and be helpful.