> Autism as a diagnostic classification is so broad that the non verbal are lumped in with those with rigidity behavior, when at least to me they seem like they

> Autism as a diagnostic classification is so broad that the non verbal are lumped in with those with rigidity behavior, when at least to me they seem like they should just have a different diagnosis. As someone with a diagnosis, I've gotten into the habit of referring to myself as "on the spectrum" when discussing with people rather than using a specific term. It helps emphasize the fact that there's a range of potential manifestations, and (hopefully) helps remind people that their expectations based on past experience might not fit my behavior exactly.