Human Variety Spectrum – Does This Theory Exist Already?

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franklludwig
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17 Feb 2014, 9:33 am

Since I’m in the process of being diagnosed myself at 49 years of age, I have done a good bit of research and agree with the theory of neurodiversity. I feel in no way disabled, and while I have problems functioning on a social basis, I have strengths that most ‘NTs’ don’t have, like many other of us. I think Asperger’s, very much like sinistrality (left-handedness), is a difference but not a disability.
After realising that I’m on the spectrum, I immediately thought of dozens of other possible candidates I know, such as my father and most of his siblings.
From what I read, intelligence seems to determine where on the spectrum someone ends up.
This caused me to develop the following theory, and since it seems not to be too difficult to come up with regarding the facts, I wonder wether it is already in circulation somewhere (I couldn’t find anything myself), and what you think about it.

1. A great proportion of the population are on the autistic spectrum without ever being diagnosed since they developed coping mechanisms and are only considered ‘a bit different’.
2. The condition for being on the autistic spectrum as well as its cause are initially the same for everybody.
3. The only initial problems are a result of the expectations of society (i.e.those who are not on the spectrum).
4. The vast majority of people on the autistic spectrum are able to develop sufficient coping mechanisms to function in society and go undetected.
5. The ability to function depends on the individual’s average or above average intelligence, while those with a lower IQ face more problems and end up on the more severe side of the spectrum.


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Makar
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17 Feb 2014, 11:15 am

First, if someone isn't impaired by their ASD symptoms then they don't qualify for a diagnosis. It's like how you wouldn't diagnose someone with dyslexia if they had a few mild symptoms but it didn't make reading difficult at all and they were quite good at it. You should read about BAP (broad autism phenotype). Yes everyone has some trait that could be considered "autistic" like disliking fire alarms or having an obsessive hobby or what not. The problem is when you call everyone that has a mild trait autistic the autistic label becomes useless for people that are actually impaired by their problems.

Second, intelligence does not have to do with the severity of autistic traits. There are many people here that are "low functioning" and quite brilliant. I think you're mistaking nonverbal for not intelligent and you need to do more research because this type of thinking is very hurtful.

You're focusing too much on just people with Asperger's or people that are BAP. If you're going to make a hypothesis about the autism spectrum as a whole, you need to actually consider the other end of the spectrum.

If social impairment were the only symptom of Autism then your hypothesis would make more sense. You should read more about autistics with disabling sensory problems because society is not their largest issue.

I do agree with you that there are probably a large number of people trying to cope with HFA undiagnosed considering that it wasn't diagnosed until fairly recently and most doctors and teachers ect aren't very good at spotting it.
Most people diagnosed as adults get a bunch of psych labels before being properly diagnosed. I don't think these people were coping well, I just think no one was looking for an ASD.



Acedia
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17 Feb 2014, 11:20 am

Makar wrote:
I do agree with you that there are probably a large number of people trying to cope with HFA undiagnosed considering that it wasn't diagnosed until fairly recently and most doctors and teachers ect aren't very good at spotting it.


Disagree, I think HFA is rarer than reported. Introverts, nerds and geeks I think have appropriated the label, but they are just NTS who are a bit shyer and socially awkward than average.

I don't think autism is just a difference, so I disagree with the OP, and I'm wondering why he would get diagnosed?



franklludwig
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17 Feb 2014, 11:34 am

Acedia wrote:
I'm wondering why he would get diagnosed?


While I am functioning in society to a certain extent, people generally consider me weird and anti-social. Besides, I seem to have a tendency to offend people without being aware of it. Simply telling them 'I think I have Asperger's' would sound like a lame excuse, that's why I decided to get diagnosed.


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