Washington Post on identification of distinct autism subtypes
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Anonymous
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WaPo published a piece today on a Princeton study published in Nature this summer around identifying 4 distinct phenotype and geneotype based groups of autism:
WaPo piece: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/12/26/autism-research-diagnosis-subtypes/ Article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02224-z What do you all think? Personally I think their classifications makes lot of sense and may settle some of the strife in the community between those who right now are classified as level 1 vs levels 2/3. Thoughts? |
Anonymous
| The only people that seem to care are the parents of kids who have more difficult symptoms/experiences. |
Anonymous
I’m not sure that’s quite true. I got diagnosed recently as an adult… I’m very high functioning (have a doctorate, high paying career, etc) but have struggled socially forever and sought a diagnosis after pretty much realizing it for myself a few years back. My mother refuse to accept I have autism because her vision of autism is the very high needs, low functioning type… |
Anonymous
What symptoms did/do you have? I’m asking because I believe my 18yo DD might be on the spectrum. She’s never really completely fit in with other girls her age. She’d try and like the same things but it wouldn’t come natural to her, at 13/14 when other girls were experimenting with makeup/fashion, she felt too young and wasn’t as interested, and now regularly says she still feels 12 and can’t imagine having the independence to do adult things like drive, work, etc. |
Anonymous
I’m fiercely independent so not like your daughter in that way. I have always, always been perceived as weird by the people around me and was severely bullied pretty much my whole life. In high school I had a girl pretty much tell me to my face that she didn’t want me to come to a social gathering because I was weird. I never understood social cues and would end up trying to mimic things I saw on tv shows to try to fit in which just made me weirder. In my adult life I don’t have many friends. I am married (my husband is also neurodivergent and accepts my weirdness). I also get really easily frustrated at things. Oh and I never realize how loud I am especially when I get excited about what I’m talking about… my husband always has to shush me, lol. But as I said besides socially I’m prettt successful… I’ve always been smart and excelled academically and in my career. Professionally I’m able to mask and fake my way through being collegial and I supervise a ton of folks who have all raved about me as a manager, so it doesn’t manifest there… |
Anonymous
If how you described yourself is autism, then that tent is pretty big. |
Anonymous
…I got a professional diagnosis. So yes, it is. And that’s the point with the article linked above… there are 4 distinct types. |
Anonymous
Exactly. The reason why scientists have basically have had to create new autism categories is to fix the overly broad diagnostic criteria of the DSM 5 and clinical practice. If you don’t filter out the adults who are normal in all ways except some social quirks then you cannot do any sort of meaningful research. |
Anonymous
It’s been hard to figure out because she does understand social cues & has a good sense of empathy, but I recently watched a video of a kindergarten performance, and she seemed really anxious and looked out of place. She was fidgeting, putting her fingers in her mouth, moving & looking around. She’s always had just one close friend, and that friend's friends were more like acquaintances to her (not really). The friend she’s comfortable with is usually very similar to her. She also has a tough time with change, like the end of the year is always difficult for her because it signals the start of a new one. In terms of independence, she is capable of driving and working, but she feels too young for that level of freedom, if that makes any sense. |
Anonymous
I have some questions, if you don’t mind, about your diagnosis as an adult because I have a close relative whom I have reason to think might be on the spectrum. I’m wondering how you went about getting a diagnosis and how, or if, it is helping you in your day to day life to have the diagnosis. My relative is an adult and having some struggles in general, so I was wondering if a diagnosis would possibly open up some avenues of support or help for him. |
Anonymous
No one can diagnosis her except a licensed practitioner. Go get her tested if you’re concerned… |
Anonymous
Getting a diagnosis was really just me calling up a provider and going through the testing. The diagnosis honestly provides me validation and understanding of my experience. And helps me understand why I do some of the things I do and makes me more aware of when I’m doing them. I don’t need much support in daily life beyond that… your family member would need to want it for themselves at this point |
Anonymous
I’m not disagreeing with you and fully acknowledge that those currently classified as levels 2 and 3 need far more support. At the same time this comment comes off as incredibly dismissive that high functioning autistics don’t benefit from a diagnosis. We do. I’m working through a lot now that I have a diagnosis that is helping me understand my childhood and who I am that I wouldn’t be able to do without the clarity around how my mind works. Don’t dismiss my experience I won’t dismiss yours or your child’s |
Anonymous
That sounds exactly like what Level 1 ASD is. |
Anonymous
| My DH is believed to have autism but he is really high functioning and independent. He tells me that some people may see him weird and geeky but he did well in academic and sports growing up. He lived in dorm room and shared apartment with roommates with no issues during college years. He has friends and he can hold conversation if he wants. He does well at career, and he can talk confidently and does presentation for hours on stage in front of thousands of people or in front of management. He only shows all of his autism traits at home which is some stubborn and childish behaviors because I have been married with him for 10 plus years. He lived by himself in a studio for many years, so I know that he can be independent. He talks mature and acts responsibly/professionally in front of other people. He is not worried at all on our children who also have asd and adhd. |