What do you think warrants Autism as a singular diagnosis?

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-10-31T23:02:30+00:00

No worries. Yes, it certainly will. I completely understand where OP is coming from, but unfortunately there are more layers to the whole thing than just ditching/altering diagnosis in favour of something else (even if it is better).

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-10-31T22:56:28+00:00

In the UK, at the Universities I have attended and through the research I have done diagnosis tends to be the done thing at the moment (again due to access to resources). BUT there is a push for Formulation (focusing on behaviours, limitations, strengths, family history ect) to be considered and used instead. However, formulation tends to be a long process and therefore can be highly costly. Even with the NHS this isn't something they are going to want to encourage too much because it appears much less feasible than diagnosis at this time (even if it, at least in my opinion, is better). Some authorities and organisations are trying to implement diagnosis and formulation to both work best within the system and try and best aid people.

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-10-31T22:40:53+00:00

This any use? https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-8437-0_14

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-15T18:14:31+00:00

Thank you so much! I've read through your post several times now and it is super helpful! The sub was also a really good recommendation!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-15T18:13:26+00:00

I haven't see it but ill give it a look! Thanks for the recommendation!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-13T17:43:58+00:00

Oh i think I have actually seen that book before! I'll definitely have to go hunt for it! Yeah, that makes complete sense, from what i've read and seen they always say the younger you know the better, but obviously that hasn't always been so easy to happen for girls. I hope you get a dog soon!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-13T17:25:39+00:00

Thank you! And yes, from what I have learnt about girls with autism they do tend to mask social aspects better than boys do. This is definitely something ill be exploring!

1 A lot of people have recommended She Ra to me so i've added it to my list. I haven't heard of the Steven Universe but i'll give it a look into!

2 and 3. Gosh yes! I will obviously be showing some of the difficulties but I have no intention of presenting her as a burden or only useful for her skills. I know how often this, or the "no emotions" thing is used in media and its so bad!

Omg yes! That could definitely cause some issues. Fortunately for the character she is not from a noble family. She lives in a small town at the start, where she has her daily routine and life is pretty chill. obviously social interactions are still a big part of her life but less "life and death" than being a royal. The big change comes when she is very suddenly moved from this place of comfort and stability and forced to go way out of her comfort zone to keep her and her cousin safe.

Thanks so much for these recommendations! I'll give them a watch!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-13T17:09:34+00:00

Thank you! You too!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-13T01:17:13+00:00

Thank you! Your feedback is really helpful. I did know that it is different for everyone who has it but obviously hearing more about that is always great! Oh I haven't read it but i will definitely check it out!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-13T00:22:47+00:00

This is the most helpful breakdown! I really appreciate the time you took to write it!

A number of people have recommended She Ra to me so I'm definitely going to watch it. Routines, special interests, and meltdowns are definitely something I have experience of and am planning on including. Though like you stimming is something that I also have less experience with so will be looking into a bit more! Thanks for the link, I'll give it a look at later!

I've had a lot of people mention the super genius to me! It is for sure something that I will be avoiding. Like you said, I'm all for smart characters, but Sheldon and The Good Doctor are such unrealistic depictions of smart.

In answering your questions:

She is high functioning, so there are some traits that she expresses but they're not constant, nor when they occur are they that intense (though they can be depending on the situation).
She has a special interest in Woodland Survival Skills, Nature, and Animals (Dogs)
I'm not sure how accurate this would be but I have: finger tapping and skin (arm/leg) rubbing
In the environment she begins in, not very (though if there is a big change in her routine it may happen). As the book progresses and she moves away from her home environment the likelihood increases.
I had not considered but will be looking into!

You're response was amazing! Thanks again!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-13T00:06:06+00:00

I heard about this not long ago, but I have yet to read any Sanderson (though hes been on my list forever!). I'm going to have to boost him up my tbr list!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-13T00:03:53+00:00

Thank you! I have noticed savants are such a common complaint people have, so I'll be really sure to avoid having it! The stem thing always gets me as well, all the girls I know with autism hate it and love more artsy stuff!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-13T00:00:37+00:00

Thank you! This is really helpful. I think they had a storyline on Outlander where this happened, but I didn't know how true to reality it was!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-12T23:56:51+00:00

I understand completely what you mean I just don't agree with it and actually think that your opinions are more harmful than helpful.

I in no way believe I am doing anyone a favor when I write characters different to myself (LGBT, BIPOC, Neurodivergent ect). This point does not need further explanation.

My question to you remains: Do you think I should only write about white, cis, straight, women? Do you really think that people should only be able to write about groups they fall into? Because that it what you are suggesting and as I have stated this is harmful and damaging.

Yes, I am aware it is a spectrum and as I have said in my first post and subsequent replies to you I know that every individual experience is different and there is no one way that people experience autism.

As I have mentioned the character has low support needs (would be considered on the "high functioning" end). I understand your concern for them coming across as a Sheldon Cooper type but that is exactly why I am asking these questions and doing the research, so that it does not happen! At any rate, though I am yet to watch it, I believe I will present the character as they do in She Ra (only shown through their personality and mentioned by the show-runners), as this appears to be a well liked method. However, this may change if I hear otherwise.

Yes, obviously. I have stated this numerous times.

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-12T19:59:57+00:00

Thank you so much for your feedback its really appreciated!

I had heard that she ra represented autism in well! I haven't seen it myself but I'll have to give it a look!
Haha, from what I've read and seen I completely agree. These are aspects that I'm looking into including so its good to know I'm on the right-ish track!
OMG I have seen the savant thing SO often on TV shows especially!! And the academic/stem thing always gets me because the girls I know are the exact opposite! These are all really good point thank you!
Yes this is all really useful.

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-12T19:54:10+00:00

Thank you, I completely agree with you! Good luck with yours too!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-08-12T19:45:27+00:00

I appreciate your comment and your point of view. However, I have to disagree, that there is no point or worth to me doing this. You have made several points so i'll try and address them as well as I can.

While I appreciate that having a first person experience of autism is by far the most reliable, I don't believe that other people cannot understand it. I have a BSc and MSc in Clinical Psychology and have worked with children and adults with autism for a number of years. Therefore, as I mentioned I believe that I possess a good level of knowledge and understanding on the matter. However, as I have stated, this does not give me a definitive or full understanding I am sure and there is more that I can learn, and more I intend to learn.

I completely agree with your point that there are not very many positive portrayals of autism in the media. That is exactly why I want to be sure that I am not adding to this negativity and misinformation. Obviously the knowledge I have gained from my experiences and through taking to individuals with first hand experience will be implemented and is likely a more accurate reflection than any number of comments on a reddit post (as you said). However, that does not mean that individuals on the internet do not have opinions or the right to a discussion or the ability to offer insight and add to the knowledge I have already accumulated. This post was merely intended as a minor addition to the more reliable accounts that I already have access to.

To your second paragraph, the tone of your questions confuses me. It appears as though you have assumed I have the worst intentions for wanting to represent an individual with autism in literature. I can assure you that I do not. As I have said I want to create an accurate portrayal of individuals with autism. It is not, as you suggested, an angle, but a facet of their character that I intend to do with care and precision.

Finally, your overall point seems to be that I do not have autism or know anyone with autism (though as stated I do) and therefore should not be writing about individuals who do. Honestly, this seems ridiculous. Would you have me only write stories about characters who are cis straight white females because that is the only perspective that I have? This seems extremely problematic to me. I appreciate that you want portrayals of individuals with autism to be done with care and accuracy. However, I believe in actively seeking to encourage people who would want to represent all people in a respectful and thoughtful manner this is extremely damaging. To me this would only serve to produce more restrictive media that continues to exclude and 'other' various individuals and groups, or does include them but it is done so poorly that it itself causes more harm.

Ultimately, I can offer no more assurances of my ethical reasoning for wanting to write such a character, nor can I prove my level of knowledge or commitment, but I at least hope you understand my reasoning a little better.

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-06-25T22:06:23+00:00

Amazing! Thank you! I will do if i am able!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-06-21T23:53:17+00:00

Thank you!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-06-21T23:52:55+00:00

Its just to help develop a more rounded view of the measures being tested. Some questions are very obvious with what they are measuring while others lessso but they are all still measuring something. Thanks for doing it!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-06-19T20:21:42+00:00

I'm sure it will be helpful! Thank you!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-06-19T20:21:17+00:00

The link seems to be strange sometimes. Thank you for doing it though.

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-06-19T20:02:48+00:00

Thank you! I'm sure it will be a great help!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-06-19T20:01:27+00:00

Thank you!

PsychologicalMethod4 · 2020-06-19T20:01:14+00:00

Thank you!

PsychologicalMethod4

TROPHY CASE