slate "journalist" diagnoses herself as autistic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why the eye-roll?

You think people with ADHD, autism, anxiety or depression cannot recognize their symptoms?

I think the idea that a woman with access to health care is going to self-diagnose autism and write about it as an attention-getting mechanism is absurd, yes, considering all we do here to get effective diagnoses professionally for our kids. Autism is not being a "weird kid" or feeling awkward.

No. I spent lots of money to confirm ADHD in my son for school support, but we know he’s also Aspie and will not pay for a diagnosis, since it won’t get him more help. I can well imagine this person doing the same. She’s an adult. She found an interesting thing to write about. A formal diagnosis won’t change much.

The point is she likely has NO diagnosis. She as a personality that she's decided to call "autism" because it provides some kind of reward for her to do so. Likewise, you don't "know" your son is autistic, because you haven't had him tested. I have no issue with you not pursuing testing, but if this stuff means anything, it's got to be based on actual science, not how you "feel." Next thing we know anyone will be able to self-identify as autistic because they feel like it.

That is the case now. Do you really not know that?

Yeah, I'm just learning that, and I find it freakin' obnoxious, and frankly offensive to those of us with actually diagnosed autistic kids with challenges every day. Oh well. I guess it's fun to instagram your weighted blanket or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why the eye-roll?

You think people with ADHD, autism, anxiety or depression cannot recognize their symptoms?

I think the idea that a woman with access to health care is going to self-diagnose autism and write about it as an attention-getting mechanism is absurd, yes, considering all we do here to get effective diagnoses professionally for our kids. Autism is not being a "weird kid" or feeling awkward.

No. I spent lots of money to confirm ADHD in my son for school support, but we know he’s also Aspie and will not pay for a diagnosis, since it won’t get him more help. I can well imagine this person doing the same. She’s an adult. She found an interesting thing to write about. A formal diagnosis won’t change much.

The point is she likely has NO diagnosis. She as a personality that she's decided to call "autism" because it provides some kind of reward for her to do so. Likewise, you don't "know" your son is autistic, because you haven't had him tested. I have no issue with you not pursuing testing, but if this stuff means anything, it's got to be based on actual science, not how you "feel." Next thing we know anyone will be able to self-identify as autistic because they feel like it.

That is the case now. Do you really not know that?

Yeah, I'm just learning that, and I find it freakin' obnoxious, and frankly offensive to those of us with actually diagnosed autistic kids with challenges every day. Oh well. I guess it's fun to instagram your weighted blanket or whatever.

You don't find it encouraging instead of offensive? Kids grow up. Some of them grow up into Slate writers.

[Anonymous]

Why is journalist in quotes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why the eye-roll?

You think people with ADHD, autism, anxiety or depression cannot recognize their symptoms?

I think the idea that a woman with access to health care is going to self-diagnose autism and write about it as an attention-getting mechanism is absurd, yes, considering all we do here to get effective diagnoses professionally for our kids. Autism is not being a "weird kid" or feeling awkward.

No. I spent lots of money to confirm ADHD in my son for school support, but we know he’s also Aspie and will not pay for a diagnosis, since it won’t get him more help. I can well imagine this person doing the same. She’s an adult. She found an interesting thing to write about. A formal diagnosis won’t change much.

The point is she likely has NO diagnosis. She as a personality that she's decided to call "autism" because it provides some kind of reward for her to do so. Likewise, you don't "know" your son is autistic, because you haven't had him tested. I have no issue with you not pursuing testing, but if this stuff means anything, it's got to be based on actual science, not how you "feel." Next thing we know anyone will be able to self-identify as autistic because they feel like it.

That is the case now. Do you really not know that?

Yeah, I'm just learning that, and I find it freakin' obnoxious, and frankly offensive to those of us with actually diagnosed autistic kids with challenges every day. Oh well. I guess it's fun to instagram your weighted blanket or whatever.

You don't find it encouraging instead of offensive? Kids grow up. Some of them grow up into Slate writers.

Again - if she had an actual diagnosis of autism, yes, that would be great. There's zero evidence she has autism, lots of evidence of her being a drama queen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is journalist in quotes?

Well, she doesn't appear to write about anything of substance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why the eye-roll?

You think people with ADHD, autism, anxiety or depression cannot recognize their symptoms?

I think the idea that a woman with access to health care is going to self-diagnose autism and write about it as an attention-getting mechanism is absurd, yes, considering all we do here to get effective diagnoses professionally for our kids. Autism is not being a "weird kid" or feeling awkward.

No. I spent lots of money to confirm ADHD in my son for school support, but we know he’s also Aspie and will not pay for a diagnosis, since it won’t get him more help. I can well imagine this person doing the same. She’s an adult. She found an interesting thing to write about. A formal diagnosis won’t change much.

The point is she likely has NO diagnosis. She as a personality that she's decided to call "autism" because it provides some kind of reward for her to do so. Likewise, you don't "know" your son is autistic, because you haven't had him tested. I have no issue with you not pursuing testing, but if this stuff means anything, it's got to be based on actual science, not how you "feel." Next thing we know anyone will be able to self-identify as autistic because they feel like it.

That is the case now. Do you really not know that?

Yeah, I'm just learning that, and I find it freakin' obnoxious, and frankly offensive to those of us with actually diagnosed autistic kids with challenges every day. Oh well. I guess it's fun to instagram your weighted blanket or whatever.

You don't find it encouraging instead of offensive? Kids grow up. Some of them grow up into Slate writers.

Again - if she had an actual diagnosis of autism, yes, that would be great. There's zero evidence she has autism, lots of evidence of her being a drama queen.

In 20 years, someone may say that about your DC. It would be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why the eye-roll?

You think people with ADHD, autism, anxiety or depression cannot recognize their symptoms?

I think the idea that a woman with access to health care is going to self-diagnose autism and write about it as an attention-getting mechanism is absurd, yes, considering all we do here to get effective diagnoses professionally for our kids. Autism is not being a "weird kid" or feeling awkward.

No. I spent lots of money to confirm ADHD in my son for school support, but we know he’s also Aspie and will not pay for a diagnosis, since it won’t get him more help. I can well imagine this person doing the same. She’s an adult. She found an interesting thing to write about. A formal diagnosis won’t change much.

The point is she likely has NO diagnosis. She as a personality that she's decided to call "autism" because it provides some kind of reward for her to do so. Likewise, you don't "know" your son is autistic, because you haven't had him tested. I have no issue with you not pursuing testing, but if this stuff means anything, it's got to be based on actual science, not how you "feel." Next thing we know anyone will be able to self-identify as autistic because they feel like it.

That is the case now. Do you really not know that?

Yeah, I'm just learning that, and I find it freakin' obnoxious, and frankly offensive to those of us with actually diagnosed autistic kids with challenges every day. Oh well. I guess it's fun to instagram your weighted blanket or whatever.

You don't find it encouraging instead of offensive? Kids grow up. Some of them grow up into Slate writers.

Again - if she had an actual diagnosis of autism, yes, that would be great. There's zero evidence she has autism, lots of evidence of her being a drama queen.

In 20 years, someone may say that about your DC. It would be wrong.

Say what about him? He has an actual diagnosis. That actually happened. If people say "he doesn't seem autistic" that's fine with me. Nicole Cliffe is the opposite - she likely doesn't appear to be autistic at all in her personal interactions and certainly does not appear to have any history of meaningful interference with her functioning, yet she's claiming to be autistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why the eye-roll?

You think people with ADHD, autism, anxiety or depression cannot recognize their symptoms?

I think the idea that a woman with access to health care is going to self-diagnose autism and write about it as an attention-getting mechanism is absurd, yes, considering all we do here to get effective diagnoses professionally for our kids. Autism is not being a "weird kid" or feeling awkward.

No. I spent lots of money to confirm ADHD in my son for school support, but we know he’s also Aspie and will not pay for a diagnosis, since it won’t get him more help. I can well imagine this person doing the same. She’s an adult. She found an interesting thing to write about. A formal diagnosis won’t change much.

The point is she likely has NO diagnosis. She as a personality that she's decided to call "autism" because it provides some kind of reward for her to do so. Likewise, you don't "know" your son is autistic, because you haven't had him tested. I have no issue with you not pursuing testing, but if this stuff means anything, it's got to be based on actual science, not how you "feel." Next thing we know anyone will be able to self-identify as autistic because they feel like it.

Oh yeah!! The next best thing to identifying as having cooties is identify as being autistic! Everyone's dying to do it!

The vast majority of people who identify as HFA wouldn't have been diagnosed as such until maybe 5 years ago since it didn't exist in medical terms until then.
What would be the incentive for getting a DX? For therapy as an adult? Most people have learned to cope by the time they're adults. For a cure? There isn't one. Nor should there be. What would be the point in getting diagnosed? So you feel better about rolling your eyes? Gtfo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why the eye-roll?

You think people with ADHD, autism, anxiety or depression cannot recognize their symptoms?

I think the idea that a woman with access to health care is going to self-diagnose autism and write about it as an attention-getting mechanism is absurd, yes, considering all we do here to get effective diagnoses professionally for our kids. Autism is not being a "weird kid" or feeling awkward.

No. I spent lots of money to confirm ADHD in my son for school support, but we know he’s also Aspie and will not pay for a diagnosis, since it won’t get him more help. I can well imagine this person doing the same. She’s an adult. She found an interesting thing to write about. A formal diagnosis won’t change much.

The point is she likely has NO diagnosis. She as a personality that she's decided to call "autism" because it provides some kind of reward for her to do so. Likewise, you don't "know" your son is autistic, because you haven't had him tested. I have no issue with you not pursuing testing, but if this stuff means anything, it's got to be based on actual science, not how you "feel." Next thing we know anyone will be able to self-identify as autistic because they feel like it.

Oh yeah!! The next best thing to identifying as having cooties is identify as being autistic! Everyone's dying to do it!

The vast majority of people who identify as HFA wouldn't have been diagnosed as such until maybe 5 years ago since it didn't exist in medical terms until then.
What would be the incentive for getting a DX? For therapy as an adult? Most people have learned to cope by the time they're adults. For a cure? There isn't one. Nor should there be. What would be the point in getting diagnosed? So you feel better about rolling your eyes? Gtfo

The point is - autism is an actual medically diagnosed condition (albeit very imperfectly). It's not something you just decide you have, when you have resources to actually get yourself assessed. You're assuming that people have autism just because they think they have it. And if you don't want to bother getting a diagnosis, then don't go around calling yourself "autistic." It's not like being black, or Native American, or male or female. It's something that is diagnosed. And if you don't feel the need for any services, any therapy, any anything, then ... you're probably not autistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why the eye-roll?

You think people with ADHD, autism, anxiety or depression cannot recognize their symptoms?

I think the idea that a woman with access to health care is going to self-diagnose autism and write about it as an attention-getting mechanism is absurd, yes, considering all we do here to get effective diagnoses professionally for our kids. Autism is not being a "weird kid" or feeling awkward.

No. I spent lots of money to confirm ADHD in my son for school support, but we know he’s also Aspie and will not pay for a diagnosis, since it won’t get him more help. I can well imagine this person doing the same. She’s an adult. She found an interesting thing to write about. A formal diagnosis won’t change much.

The point is she likely has NO diagnosis. She as a personality that she's decided to call "autism" because it provides some kind of reward for her to do so. Likewise, you don't "know" your son is autistic, because you haven't had him tested. I have no issue with you not pursuing testing, but if this stuff means anything, it's got to be based on actual science, not how you "feel." Next thing we know anyone will be able to self-identify as autistic because they feel like it.

Oh yeah!! The next best thing to identifying as having cooties is identify as being autistic! Everyone's dying to do it!

The vast majority of people who identify as HFA wouldn't have been diagnosed as such until maybe 5 years ago since it didn't exist in medical terms until then.
What would be the incentive for getting a DX? For therapy as an adult? Most people have learned to cope by the time they're adults. For a cure? There isn't one. Nor should there be. What would be the point in getting diagnosed? So you feel better about rolling your eyes? Gtfo

The point is - autism is an actual medically diagnosed condition (albeit very imperfectly). It's not something you just decide you have, when you have resources to actually get yourself assessed. You're assuming that people have autism just because they think they have it. And if you don't want to bother getting a diagnosis, then don't go around calling yourself "autistic." It's not like being black, or Native American, or male or female. It's something that is diagnosed. And if you don't feel the need for any services, any therapy, any anything, then ... you're probably not autistic.

Over time, for your DC's sake, I hope you'll become more tolerant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why the eye-roll?

You think people with ADHD, autism, anxiety or depression cannot recognize their symptoms?

I think the idea that a woman with access to health care is going to self-diagnose autism and write about it as an attention-getting mechanism is absurd, yes, considering all we do here to get effective diagnoses professionally for our kids. Autism is not being a "weird kid" or feeling awkward.

No. I spent lots of money to confirm ADHD in my son for school support, but we know he’s also Aspie and will not pay for a diagnosis, since it won’t get him more help. I can well imagine this person doing the same. She’s an adult. She found an interesting thing to write about. A formal diagnosis won’t change much.

The point is she likely has NO diagnosis. She as a personality that she's decided to call "autism" because it provides some kind of reward for her to do so. Likewise, you don't "know" your son is autistic, because you haven't had him tested. I have no issue with you not pursuing testing, but if this stuff means anything, it's got to be based on actual science, not how you "feel." Next thing we know anyone will be able to self-identify as autistic because they feel like it.

Oh yeah!! The next best thing to identifying as having cooties is identify as being autistic! Everyone's dying to do it!

The vast majority of people who identify as HFA wouldn't have been diagnosed as such until maybe 5 years ago since it didn't exist in medical terms until then.
What would be the incentive for getting a DX? For therapy as an adult? Most people have learned to cope by the time they're adults. For a cure? There isn't one. Nor should there be. What would be the point in getting diagnosed? So you feel better about rolling your eyes? Gtfo

The point is - autism is an actual medically diagnosed condition (albeit very imperfectly). It's not something you just decide you have, when you have resources to actually get yourself assessed. You're assuming that people have autism just because they think they have it. And if you don't want to bother getting a diagnosis, then don't go around calling yourself "autistic." It's not like being black, or Native American, or male or female. It's something that is diagnosed. And if you don't feel the need for any services, any therapy, any anything, then ... you're probably not autistic.

Over time, for your DC's sake, I hope you'll become more tolerant.

tolerant, really? so I guess you truly do think that "autism" is just something people feel, that I should be tolerant about their self-identification. anyone can be autistic if they want to, right? if you can't see the absurdity in that, I don't know what to tell you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why the eye-roll?

You think people with ADHD, autism, anxiety or depression cannot recognize their symptoms?

I think the idea that a woman with access to health care is going to self-diagnose autism and write about it as an attention-getting mechanism is absurd, yes, considering all we do here to get effective diagnoses professionally for our kids. Autism is not being a "weird kid" or feeling awkward.

No. I spent lots of money to confirm ADHD in my son for school support, but we know he’s also Aspie and will not pay for a diagnosis, since it won’t get him more help. I can well imagine this person doing the same. She’s an adult. She found an interesting thing to write about. A formal diagnosis won’t change much.

The point is she likely has NO diagnosis. She as a personality that she's decided to call "autism" because it provides some kind of reward for her to do so. Likewise, you don't "know" your son is autistic, because you haven't had him tested. I have no issue with you not pursuing testing, but if this stuff means anything, it's got to be based on actual science, not how you "feel." Next thing we know anyone will be able to self-identify as autistic because they feel like it.

Oh yeah!! The next best thing to identifying as having cooties is identify as being autistic! Everyone's dying to do it!

The vast majority of people who identify as HFA wouldn't have been diagnosed as such until maybe 5 years ago since it didn't exist in medical terms until then.
What would be the incentive for getting a DX? For therapy as an adult? Most people have learned to cope by the time they're adults. For a cure? There isn't one. Nor should there be. What would be the point in getting diagnosed? So you feel better about rolling your eyes? Gtfo

The point is - autism is an actual medically diagnosed condition (albeit very imperfectly). It's not something you just decide you have, when you have resources to actually get yourself assessed. You're assuming that people have autism just because they think they have it. And if you don't want to bother getting a diagnosis, then don't go around calling yourself "autistic." It's not like being black, or Native American, or male or female. It's something that is diagnosed. And if you don't feel the need for any services, any therapy, any anything, then ... you're probably not autistic.

Over time, for your DC's sake, I hope you'll become more tolerant.

tolerant, really? so I guess you truly do think that "autism" is just something people feel, that I should be tolerant about their self-identification. anyone can be autistic if they want to, right? if you can't see the absurdity in that, I don't know what to tell you.

I don't know what to tell you either. Did you even read the essay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why the eye-roll?

You think people with ADHD, autism, anxiety or depression cannot recognize their symptoms?

I think the idea that a woman with access to health care is going to self-diagnose autism and write about it as an attention-getting mechanism is absurd, yes, considering all we do here to get effective diagnoses professionally for our kids. Autism is not being a "weird kid" or feeling awkward.

No. I spent lots of money to confirm ADHD in my son for school support, but we know he’s also Aspie and will not pay for a diagnosis, since it won’t get him more help. I can well imagine this person doing the same. She’s an adult. She found an interesting thing to write about. A formal diagnosis won’t change much.

The point is she likely has NO diagnosis. She as a personality that she's decided to call "autism" because it provides some kind of reward for her to do so. Likewise, you don't "know" your son is autistic, because you haven't had him tested. I have no issue with you not pursuing testing, but if this stuff means anything, it's got to be based on actual science, not how you "feel." Next thing we know anyone will be able to self-identify as autistic because they feel like it.

But why would anyone do that? It’s not some virtue or something. I mean, really, there is a STIGMA around it so why would anyone want to casually embrace the “diagnosis?”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why the eye-roll?

You think people with ADHD, autism, anxiety or depression cannot recognize their symptoms?

I think the idea that a woman with access to health care is going to self-diagnose autism and write about it as an attention-getting mechanism is absurd, yes, considering all we do here to get effective diagnoses professionally for our kids. Autism is not being a "weird kid" or feeling awkward.

No. I spent lots of money to confirm ADHD in my son for school support, but we know he’s also Aspie and will not pay for a diagnosis, since it won’t get him more help. I can well imagine this person doing the same. She’s an adult. She found an interesting thing to write about. A formal diagnosis won’t change much.

Because there is no cost to her. She has relationships, a HARVARD education, kids, a job. Now if she had been labeled as autistic as a child, there could have been a huge cost to her.

But without an actual professional evaluating her, she really has no business spouting this opinion.



The point is she likely has NO diagnosis. She as a personality that she's decided to call "autism" because it provides some kind of reward for her to do so. Likewise, you don't "know" your son is autistic, because you haven't had him tested. I have no issue with you not pursuing testing, but if this stuff means anything, it's got to be based on actual science, not how you "feel." Next thing we know anyone will be able to self-identify as autistic because they feel like it.

But why would anyone do that? It’s not some virtue or something. I mean, really, there is a STIGMA around it so why would anyone want to casually embrace the “diagnosis?”

[Anonymous]

Because there is no cost to her. She has relationships, a HARVARD education, kids, a job. Now if she had been labeled as autistic as a child, there could have been a huge cost to her.

But without an actual professional evaluating her, she really has no business spouting this opinion.