• UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    5 days ago

    Is autism diagnosis really that formalized?

    Certainly moreso than a generation ago.

    (Personally, I’ve always wanted to be tested but the 12 month plus waiting list and the $5k not covered by insurance means that I’ll probably continue going through the rest of my life without any form of work accommodation…)

    Not unusual for kids to be picked out in grade school and referred for further diagnosis. But yeah, I can definitely get not wanting to bother going out of pocket on something like that as an adult. Not unless there’s a pressing need.

    • andros_rex@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      5 days ago

      Not unusual for kids to be picked out in grade school and referred for further diagnosis.

      Primarily children of one gender presentation, to this day. Which again, makes me very curious as to the validity of the “autism” construct.

      • eliza_stats@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        5 days ago

        True facts. Unlike things like Fragile X Syndrome that have clear sex-based biological mechanisms behind prevalence rate differences (see below for example), I think the gender discrepancies don’t actually exist for most Disabilities. Raise all kiddos without racialized and gendered societal expectations, and prevalence rates will mostly come out in the wash (this is a broad sweeping statement that completely lacks nuance, but work with me).

        (Example: people with 1 X chromosome present Fragile X Syndrome more frequently because there is only 1 X chromosome to carry the genetic load of the X chromosome, typically people with 2+ X Chromosomes present less (unless multiple copies carry it) because the non-affected X chromosomes can pick up the slack).

        • andros_rex@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          5 days ago

          I was raised female.

          Traits I have that would be considered “ND” were considered individual personality flaws which I needed to work to correct. Not making eye contact was an intentional behavior I was doing to be disrespectful. Being direct = disrespectful. Skipping school/refusing to leave home because of sensory issues and bullying = juvenile detention.

          I think a substantial problem with diagnosis is that this is typically how ND women are treated. I’m a survivor of the TTI so that is an aspect - they never tested me, because they didn’t think girls could have it!

          • eliza_stats@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            5 days ago

            Oh absolutely, and I’m sorry if you thought I was trying to invalidate your experiences at all, that was not my intention. That combination of ‘only boys have it’ and the (again gendered behavior expectations) for afab folx is killer.

            • andros_rex@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              1
              ·
              4 days ago

              If I come across as offended or aggressive, I’m just working out my anger on seeing that in that kids textbook I think - it also had that idea about it being an excess of testosterone or something? I’m also certified to teach special education, and was taught and tested on a lot of ideas that were just… incorrect. I’ve developed a reputation at places for being good with kids on the spectrum, just because I understand how to accommodate basic autonomy and that nonverbal children are still capable of thought.

              There’s so much bad science around ASD, that I would really like to go through the testing process both to get something formal and to see what I think about it.