My new theory on self diagnosed autistics

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This Forum's primary focus is Autism in general.

It is not required that one be autistic to be a member of this Forum.

It should be seen as a place where autistic people will feel comfortable.

I think your theory is very flawed, sure there probably are several people who just like the romanticized idea of high functioning autism/aspergers, but honestly I would think they would be a minority.

I for one self diagnosed before I ever sought my official diagnosis. I'm sure several others have as well, and I'm sure several people who legitimately recognize their traits as part of the autism spectrum choose not to get diagnoses because its expensive and if you are functioning to some degree in society already you get few benefits from a diagnosis besides self knowledge and validation.

The jeering has commenced. While I see the theory as flawed, I would like to add that there are some self-diagnosed people who just want to fit in even though they might not have ASD. But there is no safe possibility to know if a self-diagnosed person is not autistic.

Right...autism is not as clear-cut as cancer. There are few objective symptoms--especially in the "high-functioning" realm. There is no lab test for autism like there is for most, if not all, cancers.

I wouldn't tell everyone about autism after getting diagnosed, only to very close people who I'm sure will understand. Most of the time it's more convenient to just stay in the dark and act as neurotypical as possible (it's really hard for me and for many others as well, but sometimes it needs to be done). I wish I had actual "acting neurotypical skills" so people stopped making fun of me for being quiet or socially awkward or for lining up objects. However, I want to be myself instead of acting like someone I'm not, which is also impossible to me. I just can't, no matter how hard I try.

In this world acting autistic is not acceptable, whether you're officially diagnosed or not, whether you tell people or not. Let's face it, there's so much stigma and so much ableism all over the world.
Whatever we do is not acceptable, unless we somehow manage to pass as neurotypical as possible. This world (society, rules, etc.) was made for neurotypicals and they're the majority. It's normal we will never really fit in.

Sorry about my pessimistic views, but we should be more united, no matter who's officially diagnosed and who's self-diagnosed. The world is already hostile towards us, we should be united to defend our interests and rights as human beings.
The "I'm more autistic than you" or "I'm real because I have an official diagnosis and you're fake" arguments not only are they hateful and unfair, they're also a damage to our community because they divide us.

I think that anybody and any views outside of the outright bigoted should be accepted here. I don't think it matters whether a person is diagnosed, self-diagnosed or NT, though it still feels hard for me to accept some accounts from self-diagnosed 'very high-functioning' autistics as autism. I don't mean that I doubt the ability of any specific person to know themselves but I do have that feeling of disinclination especially if what is posted strays too far from the diagnostic criteria and more importantly current reputable research.

If somebody comes here self-diagnosed with autism but states that they have no trouble with something I perceive as hallmark such as social cognition impairments then I (in my mind) will consider that person BAP or NT, but that is only for my personal thinking and should/would not affect them.

I think that the sub-forums should be re-purposed to show what is acceptable discussion for each section. For example, NT/autistic hate speech ideally shouldn't belong in the General Discussion section, but a new ranting section. Strict social rules related to emotional support should belong to the Haven section. General Discussion should be as freedom of speech as possible if it is to exist (I think it shouldn't), because it's by far the most popular autism section and nobody is going to want to post in the relevant sub-forum/section if that remains the case.
Perhaps there should be a self-diagnosis section free of debates like this. That way, people can choose to segregate themselves from what they deem too offensive.

_________________
Unapologetically, Norny.
-chronically drunk

Has this turned into suggestions? I'll put my contributions.

Make the haven member's only.
Have a research sub forum where people doing research can post polls/surveys and such.

I think the OP's ideas have some merit, they seem plausible and possible to me.
I wouldn't say they apply to all people who self-diagnose with autism, but they probably do to some.

i am self diagnosed but i have had good reasons for that. My dad shows alot of autistic traits and my brother is diagnosed. I have had a few colleagues speculate what is wrong about me over the past few years. Some even asked if i was autistic without ever saying a word about it.


I do agree with the OP. Alot of people need a good reality check.

Just because you were bullied at school, which still ruins your social life today, probaly because you isolated yourself and sat behind the computer gaming for years, doesnt mean you are autistic. neurotypical's social skills change ALOT from puberty into adulthood. If you isolated yourself due to bullying, it may be possible that your own social skills 'got out of sync' with your peers. Like you were stuck in time and havent matured. Ofcourse this brings social awkwardness.

This generalisation of autism kind of needs to stop. There are some clear symptoms and indicators for autism. i am pretty sure 90% of the people who got bullied, then isolated themselves as a result and are now socially awkward are NOT autistic.

On the other hand, i sense a pretty strong 'superiority complex' in this topic. Diagnosed people should feel superior i guess...

I have also encountered some topics over the past few weeks in which was stated that people with autism dont know empathy. "If you have empathy you are not autistic..."

What?!

Have you guys even read the books about autism?

Just because you have alexithymia (about 60% of the people with autism have it..) doesnt mean EVERYBODY with autism has it. Some people with autism can empathize with others... but sometimes we just have to ask 1000 questions about what happened before we can realise why the other person is feeling sad. Sometimes it is easy (if we know the person really well..)