Prudolph wrote:
I've never changed my stance. I think autism diagnoses are too liberally dished out these days, especially for what was formerly known as Asperger's Syndrome. Autism is supposed to be a disability - and a disability is supposed to have such a debilitating impact on your ability to function properly that you require a diagnosis in order to gain access to the necessary support you require in order to function better within society. A majority of people who are self-diagnosed, in my experience, do not have issues that are so complex and debilitating that they cannot properly function within society without support (of course, a minority might have these issues, but in countries like the US may not have had the financial luxury to seek out a diagnosis). Therefore, in my opinion, they do not have a disability, so therefore cannot have autism, which is a disability. They are just socially awkward, may have anxiety, and may have some sensory issues which most people don't have. That does not automatically equate to autism. The other issue is that, when people take these online tests, are they really answering honestly? They may not be answering dishonestly, but maybe they are subconsciously exaggerating their answers as they are hoping to find an answer to what the issues is? Wouldn't you rather find out you have mild autism, than something potentially more serious, like bipolar or schizotypal disorder?
TLDR; no, my stance has not changed, and that is that I personally do not agree with self-diagnosis. If other people do then that's fair enough, I respect their right to an opinion as I hope they will with my opinion.
This aligns very much with how I feel. I’ve recently started a blog on tumblr, and have noticed a huge number of people self-diagnosing with autism then turning around and validating said self-diagnosis by saying, “a professional diagnosis wouldn’t help me because I don’t need supports or accommodations.” If you don’t need support, according to the DSM, you’re not autistic.
I think the problem in the US is because people are so prejudice and closed minded about those who are different it causes them an impairment because of society and the fact social skills are required so if the boss feels yours are not the best, they can fire you and let you go. I call this a gray area for a diagnoses. Some of these people might still be able to get diagnosed if it's for school or employment because that is the only way they can function in society. Basically I would have been thrown into a behavior program if I didn't get diagnosed with autism because the school staff didn't understand me and I was trying very hard to be normal and trying to understand the rules. This is an example of a gray area and if I weren't diagnosed, who knows how it would be for me as an adult.
I remember reading in the book "Back To Normal" and the therapist mentioned that autism diagnoses is higher in the US than it is in the UK because it's more acceptable there to be quirky and awkward than it is in the US.
16 Nov 2018, 1:28 am
