Comments | chaoticidealism: Divide and Conquer

chaoticidealism

Divide and Conquer

Jul 27, 2015 13:14

I really wish autistic people who can talk and live on their own would stop trying to distance themselves from the autistic people who can't do those things... It frustrates me that they're still kind of buying into the idea that "I'm autistic but it's okay because I'm smart"... because that buys into the idea of ranking people's worth by their ( Read more... )

Comments 3

plasticsturgeon July 29 2015, 00:14:59 UTC

It's just such a bind, though--if you make a point of identifying yourself with people on all parts of the spectrum, people either scoff and disbelieve you or start thinking less of your abilities, and that makes it harder to make a living and attract partners and friends. I do it anyway, but I have less to lose because even though I can live on my own, I can't work enough to make a living.

Talents/Disabilities- anonymous July 30 2015, 17:10:01 UTC

My oldest (NT, T10/11 Paraplegia) once told his rehab team "quit telling me what I can't do - tell me how to do what I want to do." Wise kid. That should apply across the board, but unfortunately we find ourselves in a battle over limited (and diminishing!) resources, and "functional" capability defines the terms. Divide & conquer, indeed!

Perhaps different diagnostic codes would help? The problem with the "spectrum" arises when providors can "cherry pick" populations, and society can reassure its collective self that provisions are made for a rapidly expanding diagnostic group. Anyone notice the APA came up with the Spectrum when insurance started covering treatment?

Re: Talents/Disabilities- chaoticidealism July 30 2015, 19:36:27 UTC

Diagnostic codes... ehhh. We already have mild/moderate/severe and that's good enough. I don't really know if I'm mild or moderate on my paperwork; I suspect mild because I'm semi-independent and verbal, but some of the same things that help non-verbal folk who need full-time care also help me. If I were stuck into the "mild" box and not let out of it, I'd be missing out on some good strategies for dealing with self-injury, getting through showers, keeping myself fed, etc ( ... )