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The ability to search within topics and specific forum sections, it could reduce the number of duplicate threads. When your in a section or topic you have another search box next to the "Wrong Planet Autism Forum Index -> (section)" with "search this section or topic" in it and when you click in it you can search within that section or topic.

Suggested Revised Edit Options
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Aspergers Syndrome – Suspected
Aspergers Syndrome - Self Diagnosed
Aspergers Syndrome - Self Diagnosed and Pursuing Professional Diagnosis
Aspergers Syndrome – Professionally Diagnosed
Autism Spectrum Disorder – Suspected
Autism Spectrum Disorder - Self Diagnosed
Autism Spectrum Disorder - Self Diagnosed and Pursuing Professional Diagnosis
Autism Spectrum Disorder – Professionally Diagnosed - Level 1
Autism Spectrum Disorder – Professionally Diagnosed - Level 2
Autism Spectrum Disorder – Professionally Diagnosed - Level 3
Autism Spectrum Disorder – Professionally Diagnosed - Other
Social Communication Disorder
Family Member/Significant Other – Suspected - Autism/Aspergers
Family Member/Significant Other – Diagnosed - Autism/Aspergers
Seeking Information for Professional or Academic Research
Neurotypical

The idea behind this is that even though I might not like the DSM 5 is here. I left Aspergers on top as I would think between those diagnosed before the DSM 5 and those living in countries that do not use the DSM there are still more AS then ASD but I could be wrong. The "I don't know if I have it" option is just to vague and open ended. The suspected/self diagnosed/self diagnosed but pursuing options should be more concise. I intentionally did not give a option for somebody who thinks a friend or co worker "has it". These are enough options in my view. They could write neurotypical and state they are wondering about a friend in the message as they do now.

I would like to see a forum software update, simply so that I quit running into errors like "cannot delete old search id sessions" all the time. Those errors drive me nuts. Also, I'd like it if the YouTube embedding were updated to allow for the new-style share links, and if there were more editing options for the posting system, like the ability to add bullets, use subscript and superscript, etc.

Bullet points (lists) are already possible - from the WP FAQ:
http://www.wrongplanet.net/postp640778.html#640778

I believe those are commonly called "jokes", or harmless light-hearted attempts at introducing a little humour to what might otherwise have said: "This forum is for discussing work and finding a job" and "This forum is for discussing Politics, Philosophy, and Religion".

Yes, but you know what they say about autistic people and their ability to “get” jokes.

BTW Alex really should credit Dilbert for his jokes.

I normally only look at the parenting forum, so I apologize if this has already been discussed. I would love WP to have a LIKE button on each of the postings. When I find I really love a posting but don't have anything more to contribute, I could just LIKE it. Also, if I'm scanning a discussion, I could easily pay quicker attention to postings with many LIKES.

There is a women's discussion. I think it would be beneficial if there was a men's forum. There are males here of all ages. Some of the older, more mature ones can help the younger ones navigate life issues that are specific to men.

I agree with this. Women have their own unique issues, and it's great that we have a forum for that, but a male-specific equivalent would be good to have as well.

I have a concern about liability. People are going to come here asking for help with problems that are usually addressed by trained mental health professionals. Non-trained members are going to offer help. What if somebody comes here with a problem, receives advice from a non-professional member, and they are damaged by following that person's advice? Is this forum threatened if that person chooses to seek retribution?

Common sense should tell a person we are not offering a professional service, that we are a peer-driven support community. However, my experience is that things need to be explicitly stated. Is there a disclaimer anywhere on the site that says we are not offering professional advice, counseling, or mental health services and advising people to seek help with mental health problems from trained professionals?

This might seem like a trivial matter, but I am a member of other support groups that are peer-driven, and I am a trained mental health professional. You would be amazed at some of the psychological damage that comes when people take non-professional advice as gospel. Specific examples would be not taking psychiatric medication, shaming a person for behavior that is really the result of a mental illness, or just amateur therapy based that, although it is based on good intentions, is not backed by science and does not take into account the possible negative ramifications.

I am not advocating censorship but a clear statement that would tell a user that we are not experts or professionals and that they take advice from us at their own risk. Also, that the views expressed by individual wrongplanet members do not necessarily reflect the views of the wrongplanet.net.

Again, this should be common sense, but it is not. Implicit understandings that most people are aware of do not affect the minority of people who do not have these implicit understandings. Anyone with AS will quickly recognize this fact. Explicit statements are often needed to make sure there are no misunderstandings. If such a statement already exists on the site, please excuse this long-winded post.

Thanks for the reply. I don't know if it has ever been an issue with this forum or not, so I am not sure if there is sufficient need for a disclaimer. I also am not a lawyer so I don't know the specifics when it comes to liability.

I am sensitive to issues like these because of a job I had in the criminal justice system. I was responsible for referring people to treatment that they were mandated to complete. I got complaint after complaint from angry family members if they did not agree with where I sent their family members or they disagreed with some aspect of the treatment program. I learned to think legally in terms of having everything explained in writing to protect myself in case of a lawsuit or false allegations. I don't know if this type of thinking is pertinent to the context of this forum or not.

I also know that AA and other 12-Step fellowships have been sued for things that group members have done. Those fellowships are peer-driven, non-professional support groups like this forum, with no power to police. Common sense says you can't sue the organization, but some people are vindictive. Once again, this has to do with court-mandated attendance at meetings. I doubt anyone is court-mandated to be a member of this forum. But those two situations are what got me to thinking about a disclaimer. AA meetings usually have the leader read something like "Take what you like and leave the rest. No one speaks for AA as a whole." That's what I was talking about in terms of a disclaimer. They also read a reading clearly stating that AA is non-professional.

Dear Alex & Moderators,

Please consider adding to the top of every forum page a legal disclaimer that says:

"Due to legal liability issues, the owner, moderators and members of the Wrong Planet website can not diagnose any medical condition, including Autism Spectrum Disorders. Nothing contained in this site is or should be considered or used as a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please refer your health-related inquiries to an appropriately-trained and licensed health-care professional. Thank you."

Respectfully,

Fnord

That very specific disclaimer(s) are needed for an ASD forum seems self evident. When a person registers a set of rules,guidelines, and disclaimers should be displayed. After reading it the candidate should be given these choices: they understand and accept the guidelines, They do not understand some of the guidelines followed by a text box for questions, They do not wish to become a member.

We have a group of members that distrust professionals while others believe only professional advice is legitimate. And there are others like me that believe there are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. Right now as mentioned this is a peer driven site leaving the professional only group frustrated. Newbies seeking comfort and advice from peers are being steered towered professionals. While in my view being steered towered professionals is a good thing it may not be the what the newbie is seeking AT THIS TIME. The member may well be have an eventual goal of professional diagnosis but is at an early stage of inquiry or it is unaffordable.

I do not know if such a thing is affordable or doable but if possible maybe we can have ASD specialist(s) answer questions or a specialist driven section to compliment the peer driven sections.