Being autistic is the new trend now is it?

Pussyhands · 06-12-2021 10:49am #1

https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2021/1206/1265022-melanie-sykes-celebrates-autism-diagnosis/

"During lockdown I enjoyed not having to go out and socialise, to brave corporate events, shake hands and be pulled in for a kiss by complete strangers.

"I’ve always been uncomfortable in crowds or being touched by people I don’t know.

"My sensitivities are now completely validated because I’m autistic."

I would be pretty sure 50% of the population could be classed as autistic in that case. If I went to a doctor or whoever and told them I think I have autism and they ask questions they'd 100% give an autism diagnosis too.

It was cool to have depression and announce it to the world on social media. Is the same thing going to happen more with autism? Stephanie Preisner did the same recently.

Seems to be just an excuse for peoples behaviour. Like after Preisner said she was autistic, she was a panelist on a TV show and she rocked in wearing a hoodie and runners, completely unprofessional. But I suppose "she has autism and the hoodie makes her comfortable"

Staplor · 06-12-2021 10:56am

Not really, it's more a few people talking openly around it. It probably raises awareness and acceptance of people with autism.

Reminds me of years ago when people announced they were gay, nobody really cares now.

06-12-2021 10:57am

Professional attention seeker

06-12-2021 11:05am

The problem is that the definition of autism is so wide and "spectrum-y", that pretty much everyone falls onto it in some way - big or small. That robs any meaning from the term itself.

Personally, I believe these labels must go and serve only to reinforce stereotypes. Rather than "celebrating" a medical diagnosis, how about society simply accepts that we're all weird to some degree and that's fine. No need for diagnoses; people can simply do what they're good at and avoid what they're bad at. We all have strengths and weaknesses and that's normal. When we start giving people labels, we are saying that they cannot change or improve their behaviour because it's a fixed, medical diagnosis. Of course, their behaviour is not fixed and it's adjustable. These labels reinforce stereotypes by making people believe that they are forced to be the way they are, "oh, but I'm like this because I have [insert label]". It robs people of personal responsibility, too.

Once we start pathologizing normal behaviour that has very little negative consequences on someone's life, we shouldn't be surprised when everyone is proud to have yet another label to hang around their neck.

Far too many labelling going on in society; and yes, it's happening with the whole autism thing, too.

Eoinbmw · 06-12-2021 11:10am

It does nothing for genuine people with real disabilities including autism that's for sure!

06-12-2021 11:12am

This isn't uncommon, a lot of people have their child diagnosed and recognise that they're on spectrum. Have at least one friend who realised as much in his early forties. Plus women tend to face far older ages for diagnoses for a variety of reasons.

This seems more a case of starting a thread to be outraged about a topic you have a limited understanding of.

km991148 · 06-12-2021 11:13am

I don't like it, why cant we go back to the way it was before.. waaaaaah

fits · 06-12-2021 11:16am

My very socially engaged kid with a general learning disability has severely limited options for schooling without an autism diagnosis. I’m probably going to have to look for it.

MarkR · 06-12-2021 11:26am

I know people who diagnose Autism and have a child with Autism. I don't think any Doctor would stake their professional reputation in order to give a celebrity a soundbite.

I was trying to think why I was posting this, but people like OP questioning people's diagnosis rubs me the wrong way. For most, Autism is a hidden disability and your cynicism just makes it more difficult with genuine issues.

cnocbui · 06-12-2021 11:29am

I completely disagree. There is someone who has autism living in my house. They have a medical card and disability pension, and rightly so as they really wouldn't be able to function in any employment environment I have ever encountered.

The UK office of national statistics says that those on the spectrum have the highest level of unemployment of any disability:

"A new report released today by the Office for National Statistics shows that autistic people are the least likely to be in work of any other disabled group. Just 21.7% of autistic people are in employment." https://www.autistica.org.uk/news/autistic-people-highest-unemployment-rates

My son has Aspergers, though he is high functioning socially, but even he couldn't make it more than 60% the way through a work experience semester of his computer science degree, before having a complete meltdown and bailing.

Don't try and down play the seriousness of this disability as if it's just a slight odd quirk and not much different to normal differences in peoples characters, because it really isn't.

ELM327 · 06-12-2021 11:37am

"Being autistic is the new trend now is it?"

what a disgusting thread title.

As someone who lives with ASD (Asperger's) this is offensive to the nth degree.

quokula · 06-12-2021 11:41am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118276341#Comment_118276341

Agree 100% - my partner works in the field and it's a very real condition that isn't diagnosed on a whim. I'd never heard of Melanie Sykes but a doctor will not have given that diagnosis without reason and it's really poor form to basically have a go at her for being on the spectrum but not being visibly disabled enough to your satisfaction.

Beasty · 06-12-2021 11:45am

What a ridiculous thread title and indeed the thread itself

It also breaches site rules by commenting on and inviting medical advice

Being autistic is the new trend now is it?

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