*Sips tea, takes a deep breath*… Okay, I’m trying to come in a bit gentle on this subject because, it really boils my piss when people say this (and words to that effect).
Firstly, I would like to point out that when I go on a ‘tangent’ – It’s never to offend or devalue other peoples experiences. But if you were ‘in my shoes’, or have been through a similar route to even get to the conclusion of Autism (ASD), you’d understand. And probably feel the same way!
Throughout my journey to get my official diagnosis (via – ‘the right to choose scheme by the NHS), I came across a lot of the same comments/opinions, such as (and not limited to); “But… isn’t everyone on the spectrum?” Or, “every one is a little autistic!”, Or, one of my favourites is, “you appear too normal to be autistic”. The (neurotypical/ablest) comments are relentless and unwelcoming at this point in my life. *As I am newly diagnosed and new to the world of neurodiversity in a way, as when my ASD diagnosis came along, it was unexpected – through years of unknowingly & subconsciously ‘masking’. And going through hell with my mental health (both discovered and undiscovered) issues. And at one point, professionals thought that the reasons behind the years of being ‘unstable’, was down to childhood trauma and had developed EUPD (Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder/BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder – the more commonly used term) in the process! – but, that’s another story/blog, for another day!
So, with that, It’s very frustrating and exhausting having to ‘explain it’ every time. But the simple answer to the question in the heading, is NO! We’re NOT all ‘on the spectrum’ or a little bit autistic! Autism is a Neurodevelopmental Disorder – Basically, it’s the way our brain builds and organises itself, and how it works in everyday life. The spectrum is used as an indicator when it comes to the ‘symptoms’ a person has, and severity of those symptoms – there’s a LOT! Hence why autism is referred to as a spectrum! Autism is a lifelong condition which affects everyone (on the spectrum) differently. There is no ‘cure’ – “its just the way we is!”.
The bottom line is that a person is either, Autistic or not!
And don’t even get me started on the people who ‘self-identify’ themselves as Autistic – and I’m talking about the people who do these online quizzes, and almost convince themselves that they have ‘it’, due to carrying some of the traits, with NO medical evidence to support this and haven’t even been to the doctor or sought out the steps needed to get to the answers! The truth is, getting a diagnosis is a long winded process and should be delivered by a trained professional and also, should have facts & evidence to ‘back it up’. There’s so much to go through to get it formally diagnosed, later in life especially. And in my experience, I didn’t even look in the direction of being autistic, until all the arrows started pointing in the same direction and professionals were all ‘singing from the same hymn sheet’! The process and waiting times were almost too much to take! but the way I see it is, a fact is only a fact, when it is proven to be one!
*Takes a deep breath*… But again, That’s a whole different blog, so definitely ‘one for another time’.
T x
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