> nowadays most people in my country would say "we are all somewhat autistic in some way or another
Careful with this. In small amounts it can be good -- recognizing that autistic traits are human traits and we should recognize each others humanity -- but in large amounts it is regularly used to deny autistic people experiences. Like, "it's not so bad. It's not a disability. We're all a little autistic." Etc.
I know that this is a slippery slope. I just meant with this that even if I get diagnosed it wouldn't really change anything in my daily life, because people in my country are not very well educated on these issues anyway.
As a diagnosed autistic, I think I would ask -- does ticking these boxes make you feel like, "oh shit, this could explain some difficulties..." or just go, "huh, interesting?"
I tend to invite people to think about how their lives have been impacted. For example, I experience anxiety at late invites to events I'd enjoy. I panic and decline them because I'm experiencing a highly irrational anger fear response to changing schedules. This causes me to miss events I would otherwise enjoy, and then I feel guilty. Having to process all those feelings takes a lot of energy, and it's really draining. That has significant impact on my life.
Compare to a friend of mine who just prefers quiet evenings. She declines things all the time but never gives it a second thought.
Disability vs preference. It's ok if it's either! Neither of us are wrong, we just experience different impacts in our lives.
Well, I exiled myself to the countryside because I want to be able to choose how much exposure to society I want.
I guess I gamed the problems you are talking about, but as a side effect I am sometimes probably weirder than before (which is a non problem when you live where I live).
I would probably live a sad and boring life if I were to live in any small/medium/big city.
Yeah, exactly. Having an ADHD diagnosis has been incredibly helpful, because now I can make much more accurate predictions on what is likely to be difficult and figure out strategies.
It can really be the difference between struggling with or enjoying a situation
I'm autistic and the difficulty was high for me to learn, "being autistic is no excuse for also being an asshole". I had to work a little harder, sure, but it's doable for many of us.
Regarding your last sentence, typically when the individual seeks it. It's generally considered both rude and ineffective to diagnose others who are not seeking diagnosis.
Do you think neurotypical people often go, "I would like to spend significant time and money to get an autism diagnosis"?
I don't think it's particularly common. When I went through my dx, I was really hoping for adhd because then I could get meds, but my doc and all my screenings were like, "definitely not adhd, definitely autism".
So, maybe you are seeing rising diagnosis rates and considering that too easy? If encourage you to think about why you feel this way.
How do I know if I'm neurotypical? I have some challenges, I've done a few tests, but I could just be a lazy neurotypical bastard. I think if you go to therapy you can get to take yourself more seriously, look at the signs, self reflections and process that. Now that can easily lead to "I need to get diagnosed with XYZ". Just to be sure.
It's not about the rising rates, that could be explained in other ways.
You go to a testing center, not a therapist, to get a diagnosis. The online tests don't count. A thorough test will take a half-day or more, with tests ranging from conversations to Q&A to visual to a battery of multiple choice questions.
Yep. For some extra anecdata, mine included a 2 hour introductory session (briefly covering the many forms and [official] online tests she had me do ahead of time), and then two 4-hour test sessions, each of which left me utterly exhausted.
> Do you think neurotypical people often go, "I would like to spend significant time and money to get an autism diagnosis"?
The diagnosis is a road to help. I doubt many people travel down that road without there being some merit to their ideas, but even if it is the case that lots of people travel down that road, that doesn't say great things either. That just means we have a giant group of people screaming out for help and they are using one of few outlets to try and get it. I'd rather they get that help through travelling down that road than blocking off the road to anyone isn't 'actually ill', whatever we define that as.
Careful with this. In small amounts it can be good -- recognizing that autistic traits are human traits and we should recognize each others humanity -- but in large amounts it is regularly used to deny autistic people experiences. Like, "it's not so bad. It's not a disability. We're all a little autistic." Etc.
reply