The autism generation

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http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/op ... 43466.html

^ in case the link doesn't work
aje opinion

Was reading this opinion on AJE If you have a discus account please add to their comment thread too.

and if its your first trip here welcom to the wrong planet "smilingAhab"

Well, even if it is an epidemic, what could possibly be wrong with that?

But it's not. We're just getting better at diagnosing people.

It's slow progress though. I fear that while we still struggle with overdiagnosing and underdiagnosing various cases of autism, the stigma behind it could continue and could possibly get worse. That's my biggest fear here.

i will agree that over-diagnosis is a risk, particularly when dx's become fasionable as it were. I was diagnosed with ADD back in the 80's, I can think of many occasions I have heard the idea of ADD or ADHD being a real diagnosis numerous times, largely because of the over-application by diagnosticians who should have said, damned if I know rather than guessing.

However that in mind I would argue that a big part of the increase in the number of diagnosises come from adults who have spent much of thier lives with either no or the wrong diagnosis. Perhaps in time we will have a better understanding of what factors underlie the specific areas of symptoms (ie what makes me more ADD and OCD like where otheres are more torrets and ocd like, or more overwhelmed by sensory issues, there are probably dozens or more of seperate etiologies that create the same basic set of symptoms, having that understanding could help tailor supports more to the needs of the individual, however in the short term, it is better for research (regardless of if this is "cure " research or looking into support stratagies and how to best cope in an NT run world).

In any case the more of "us" that post on the sites comment thread the more people who are otherwise ignorent to what we know that can be educated so that they understand better the world that we live in (and often enjoy).

Oh no, it's the ebil autism come to take our children.

But pretty much, I agree SammichEater - I think we're just getting better at diagnosing it. Even though it's possible it may be being over/falsly diagnosed in some cases due to various reasons.

I cant wait for the T-shirt:

"I am Autism. Im here to take your children."


"NOM! NOM! NOM! NOM!"




./sarcsm

I actually hope that everyone will be autistic in 100-150 years.

That's a fantasy which sure puts a smile on my face. Btw like your signature, u a juggalo?

It's already happening. Every see someone walking down the street with a smartphone in their hand? The hyperfocus, intense stare at the screen, disassociation with the surrounding environment?

I giggled.