This is a dangerous opinion to hold. Diagnosis is difficult and expensive, and a large number of diagnosticians are still resistant to the updated definition. Many are literally still claiming that only boys qualify. Self diagnosis allows for better self care. - ThreadSky

100kbaddrawings.bsky.social • 51 days ago

This is a dangerous opinion to hold. Diagnosis is difficult and expensive, and a large number of diagnosticians are still resistant to the updated definition. Many are literally still claiming that only boys qualify.
Self diagnosis allows for better self care.

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grandworks.bsky.social•50 days ago

There are obviously more easily self-diagnosable Autism cases, but given it’s a spectrum with nuances, as you said “difficult to diagnose” so people who don’t understand the differences between neurodivergences misdiagnosising themselves is dangerous to themselves.

100kbaddrawings.bsky.social•50 days ago

I said it is difficult to *get* a diagnosis. As in, even if you have a long, clear history, you still have to pass a gauntlet of testing conditions over a span of months or years and hope that none of them throw up a wall because their belief about autism is outdated. (Only boys, no eye contact)

100kbaddrawings.bsky.social•50 days ago

This is a tall ask when part of the condition may mean that you have trouble communicating well. ("Do you have a problem with socks?" "No" [as long as it's the same type of socks that I bought in bulk, and I fold the elastic over my shoe so that I don't feel it, and the weather isn't too hot])

grandworks.bsky.social•50 days ago

No it’s dangerous for people to self-diagnose a neurological condition as a catch-all when there are numerous neurodivergent conditions that don’t fall under the umbrella of Autism. I’m not arguing US healthcare is bonkers expensive, but most cities have some sort of low-cost psychiatric services.

100kbaddrawings.bsky.social•50 days ago

I don't see it used that way among autistic people, most cases I can think of are months of soul searching and research to be sure the label fits.
I'm going to take it at face value that you don't want harm caused to people, let's assess the contrasting risk factors:

100kbaddrawings.bsky.social•50 days ago

Self diagnosed because healthcare is inaccessible risks - excuse themselves from difficult situations, make people uncomfortable due to stimming/etc, won't receive treatment for a comorbid issue.
Benefits - healthcare providers save time, person feels better

100kbaddrawings.bsky.social•50 days ago

Undiagnosed due to fear of being judged, doubted or hated for it - remains confused and frustrated by a world that they don't fit. Higher suicide risk. Higher isolation risk. Dysfunctional within society.
Benefits - literally none.

100kbaddrawings.bsky.social•50 days ago

I think a valuable question is why you don't want people to use a label. It isn't denying care to people who need it, it isn't adopting addictive or harmful maladaptive treatments, it costs nothing and hurts nobody.

100kbaddrawings.bsky.social•50 days ago

If you're suggesting that clinicians would do a better job, I can find mountains of examples that this is often not the case. Many Drs will diag ADHD and anxiety disorders instead of Autism, because there's drugs for those conditions (harmful ones, when it's the wrong call)

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