On Wednesday, the CDC reversed its long-held position that there's no link between vaccines and autism. "This is the day CDC died," a former agency official said.
I was going to specifically argue this point to them, thank you.
Personally, I believe that everybody is neurodivergent and feel that the concept of anybody being neurotypical as having the potential of extreme harm. Difference is normal, but some people need extra help and support. That’s where diagnosis comes in, with very specific criteria and identification of support needs and impairment levels.
I believe that one can resonate with autistic traits validly and feel that is extremely desirable to accept and support, but I don’t believe that everybody is autistic, is on the autism spectrum, or identifies with autistic traits.
I believe that one can easily say they are “neurodivergent with autistic traits” or say that they have an “autistic neurotype” and that be seen as completely valid (with or without diagnosis). I believe the level of impairment is what speaks to the functional differences specifically found in autism, in addition to meeting the specific diagnostic criteria (which I feel is extremely accurate - as evidenced by many studies, meta-analyses, and so forth).
I’m pretty sure that 1-2% of people worldwide are recognized to have autism or are seen as being on the autism spectrum. This may not account for misdiagnosis, inaccessibility of diagnosis, or barriers to diagnosis, but I don’t believe it’s 100% of people. “Level 0” does not exist in any diagnostic system; and clinically, if someone does not meet diagnostic criteria and are not functionally impaired in specific ways, that means they do not have autism.
Keyword being “clinically”. I believe in self-diagnosis or identifying with an autistic neurotype or autistic traits for a number of reasons. My intimate knowledge of the barriers to proper support and diagnosis are at the forefront of why I feel this way, but ultimately, it boils down to me not wishing to invalidate or reject anybody’s experience or gatekeep people resonating with the autistic neurotype or autistic traits. Everybody deserves help and support and to have validation, acceptance, and understanding directed to them.
I was going to specifically argue this point to them, thank you.
Personally, I believe that everybody is neurodivergent and feel that the concept of anybody being neurotypical as having the potential of extreme harm. Difference is normal, but some people need extra help and support. That’s where diagnosis comes in, with very specific criteria and identification of support needs and impairment levels.
I believe that one can resonate with autistic traits validly and feel that is extremely desirable to accept and support, but I don’t believe that everybody is autistic, is on the autism spectrum, or identifies with autistic traits.
I believe that one can easily say they are “neurodivergent with autistic traits” or say that they have an “autistic neurotype” and that be seen as completely valid (with or without diagnosis). I believe the level of impairment is what speaks to the functional differences specifically found in autism, in addition to meeting the specific diagnostic criteria (which I feel is extremely accurate - as evidenced by many studies, meta-analyses, and so forth).
I’m pretty sure that 1-2% of people worldwide are recognized to have autism or are seen as being on the autism spectrum. This may not account for misdiagnosis, inaccessibility of diagnosis, or barriers to diagnosis, but I don’t believe it’s 100% of people. “Level 0” does not exist in any diagnostic system; and clinically, if someone does not meet diagnostic criteria and are not functionally impaired in specific ways, that means they do not have autism.
Keyword being “clinically”. I believe in self-diagnosis or identifying with an autistic neurotype or autistic traits for a number of reasons. My intimate knowledge of the barriers to proper support and diagnosis are at the forefront of why I feel this way, but ultimately, it boils down to me not wishing to invalidate or reject anybody’s experience or gatekeep people resonating with the autistic neurotype or autistic traits. Everybody deserves help and support and to have validation, acceptance, and understanding directed to them.