r/AutisticPeeps 4d ago

From Facebook

39 Upvotes

Today is World Autism Awareness/Acceptance Day. Here are a few reminders as you go through your social media feeds today::

  • Only a licensed medical professional can diagnose autism. Due to the large amount of disorders that have overlapping symptoms, self diagnosis is not possible or valid. (Yes it's hard and expensive, no it's not fair; but neither is confidently claiming you have autism when you don't have a diagnosis). And for the love of God an internet quiz or infographic cannot diagnose autism.

  • Autistic individuals are capable of individual thought. There are some who prefer have autism over autistic. There are some who prefer the puzzle piece over the infinity symbol. There are some who support Autism Speaks instead of ASAN. Their beliefs and thoughts are just as valid.

  • Having an easy enough life to care about a symbol or charity already shows you are insanely privileged.

  • There is no "autism community". Suggesting such is insulting to the individuality of autistic individuals. Just fucking ask the person. (Also many people who are part of the so-called autism community are self-diagnosed and silence people with an actual autism diagnosis).

  • You can't have autism acceptance without awareness and understanding of the intricacies of the disorder.

  • AUTISM IS A DISABILITY. It is not a sexuality. It is not "just a neurotype". Everyone has symptoms of autism that they express daily (i.e. everybody stims). The diagnosis comes when it DISABLES you.

I'm sure I'll have more to say through the day or the month so keep an eye on my feed.

This post is public to be shareable. Keep it civil.


r/AutisticPeeps 3d ago

Discussion What do you think about the content creators?

14 Upvotes

I just wondered if you ever maybe like somebody and then they changed or you figure out they make up diagnoses, are they get more commercial like or something like that.

I want to follow somebody that was making funny videos about ADHD. But then they started making more commercial like content, al of the sudden also had autism. And I don’t know it changed so much and I unfollowed her because I disliked it. I recently came across the profile while scrolling reels, and saw she diagnosed herself with another thing. (Like 6 video’s before it she mentioned she first learning about the existence of it, and from what she shows about it, I strongly doubt she has it). I really don’t get why people do these kind of things.


r/AutisticPeeps 3d ago

News Mario kart world official trailer!!!

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9 Upvotes

r/AutisticPeeps 3d ago

Rant Why are dating and intimacy so complicated?

10 Upvotes

Why is this stuff so hard? I have no ambition or desire in life other than being in a relationship and physical intimacy. Yet I feel like you can't just be like that, you have to want to have a career, you have to have hobbies. The thing you want has to be surrounded by layers of things that are tedious and make you miserable.

I'm so tired of it. Do the majority of people really just hate sex and enjoy being alone? Or am I so repulsive to others that I miss all the people who aren't like that? Honestly, I feel like I've been living in a monastery my whole life, and there's something wrong with me for not being like everyone else.

Sorry for the rant.


r/AutisticPeeps 3d ago

Question did anyone else have a lot of head injuries growing up?

8 Upvotes

my head has been glued a lot split open, i would run into things or jump off things a lot and split it open, i was knocked out for a few seconds to a minute a lot not always cutting it open, some amount of weekly or more some kind of injury involving my head during childhood to young teens

i hit my head stimming/meltdown as well either my palm/knuckles or against floor/wall i still do this now, but i don’t have injuries with accidents anymore like before

is there a corolation with brain injury/damage because they have similar type symptoms like with asd and adhd, and if there’s corolation with being asd/adhd in the first place and more prone to head injuries, and also if both things happen like a cycle first more prone to injury and then it has an effect that worsens symptoms and back again?

i had mild eplilesy when i was a child if it’s related to or caused by it as well maybe i wonder


r/AutisticPeeps 4d ago

Controversial I have had it!

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100 Upvotes

r/AutisticPeeps 3d ago

Discussion How would you like to see autistic people represented in government?

7 Upvotes

Lately, I’ve been feeling unsettled watching how a certain musky individual’s behavior is being explained away with ‘autism’—especially by folks on the right. His erratic hand gestures and questionable conduct are being chalked up to being autistic, and it feels like that’s being used more as a shield than a sincere reflection of neurodivergence. I haven’t seen many autistic voices represented in those conversations—and I think that says a lot.

It also highlights a deeper issue: we don’t seem to have any real representation in Congress or the Senate who openly defends or understands what it means to be autistic.

I’m autistic, and my special interest is politics. Lately, I’ve been imagining what it would mean to be truly represented in government—but I’m struggling to put those feelings into words. So I thought I’d bring my questions here, to people who get it more than anyone else. These are the questions I’m sitting with:

  • How would I like to see autistic people represented in government?

  • What issues matter most to us as autistic people?

  • How do I want public officials to talk about autism or advocate for neurodivergent communities?

I’d really appreciate your thoughts—not just for me, but for all of us who want something better.


r/AutisticPeeps 3d ago

ELI5 what the neurodiversity movement is.

6 Upvotes

From what I've heard they believe that autism isn't per definition a disorder.


r/AutisticPeeps 4d ago

Discussion Autistic people and parents in New Zealand facing funding cuts, access to long term carers and respite

34 Upvotes

In New Zealand, because disabilities such as Autism and other serious disabilities are being portrayed as an 'identity' and 'difference'. The Government has now cut funding for autistic people and parents and people with disabilities access to critical support services such as respite, carers, essential equipment such as tablets, computers, phones and etc

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19Q3pH6m4k/

https://www.parliament.nz/mi/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/HansS_20240523_051300000/10-question-no-10-disability-issues/

Also due to this, some elderly parents who are meant to be in retirement homes are still taking care of their severe or profound Autistic sons or daughters


r/AutisticPeeps 4d ago

Self-diagnosis is not valid. Exfuckingcuse Me??

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81 Upvotes

I got this in a promotional email because I'm signed up for a bunch of autism groups. This is so malicious and upsetting


r/AutisticPeeps 4d ago

Rant Bit of a rant/ need advice

2 Upvotes

So there’s this girl, we used to be lovers, (not now, she loves her computer wayyyy more) she is on the spectrum, and yet nobody is trying to idk, take a shower, keep her hands to herself, she always touches ppl, even strangers she barely knows, I really don’t get why people don’t set her straight, tell her to stop touching, and I have to tell her from a distance, I’m not her friend anymore due to these reasons, but it feels like nobody’s telling her to stop doing all of that, if you have advice, I’m happy to take it, this is more of a rant as an autistic person, feeling like she setting up the stereotype (before you ask, she’s in regular ed classes it’s obviously on the spectrum)

TLDR: this autistic girl needs to be set straight, no adult that I see is helping her

Thanks for reading my rant ^ ^

Edit …look I’m tired, the only reason why I put the “fitting the stereotype” is so ppl think I’m keeping it related, my friend used to be so nice and cool, but something in high school made her more… rude? I don’t know and high schoolers are fucking idiots, they see someone that is remotely autistic, they think it applies to all of us. The autism ain’t to much of a problem, it was mostly her touching really she just really needs help (I AM friends with ppl who are more autistic than my other, yes you might be saying I’m using “But I have black friends” thingy, but the difference is they don’t touch strangers or anyone) so I apologize for the fitting the stereotype thing.


r/AutisticPeeps 4d ago

Mental Health How do yall deal with school bc i am struggling lol

4 Upvotes

I’m in college and I’m struggling so much and have been for a while. I started in September 2021, I’ve switched my majors twice, I was supposed to graduate this April yet I’m still talking first/second year courses because I keep failing classes.

I can’t study, can’t focus on anything, my brain doesn’t work the same way it used to when I was in highschool. I used to get such good grades and still have time for hobbies, now I struggle to get even a C grade. I’m so tired of school but I can’t drop out because then all that money will have been wasted and my parents will tell me my life is going nowhere since I don’t even have a degree. If I drop out now I will be useless and I just don’t know what I’ll do with myself. I have a part time job right now but it’s not a permanent job. Just something to be able to get money and experience. Idk I’m just so done and I don’t know what else to do advice is welcome please and thank you.

All the things I’ve tried/am trying: different study methods, studying in different places, studying with friends (whom I’m not friends with anymore because they moved on and I stayed behind classes), reaching out to counsellors and academic advisors at my school, getting on medication for my depression, etc


r/AutisticPeeps 4d ago

School I just got accepted into dental hygiene school

27 Upvotes

It was all based on how good your grades are and I had straight A's, but I'm really worried about the social part of it.

I'm really excited to learn about teeth, but I'm terrified of having difficulty with the social and sensory aspects.

Also I'm dreading telling people about it because they will always be over the top excited and I never react that way so it's just uncomfortable when I can't match their energy because I don't outwardly express excitement or happiness much but others do.


r/AutisticPeeps 4d ago

General Today is the beginning of Autism Month! Go Purple!

28 Upvotes

r/AutisticPeeps 5d ago

Discussion Late diagnosis-did you use historical evidence/reports?

17 Upvotes

I can't remember how this was phrased, but when I did my assessment as an adult they wanted some kind of third party like my parent to fill out the questionnaire about my behaviours, however I do not talk to my mother anymore and she would always tell me there was nothing wrong with me, despite clearly there was!

So I just wonder how this works, because parents can't be relied to be objective, my mother probably has some mental disorders (her only friend always said she was eccentric). But if you asked her if I did anything unusual she'd deny that.

In the end I had to self report my experience, and I think I had my gf at the time provide some kind of statement. Did anyone else have this happen? I'm thinking of this because the discussion about self-diagnoses, and the ability of people to perhaps trick the assessment into giving them a diagnosis when they shouldn't.

I have read some articles where late diagnosed parents (like in their 50's), say they only found out when they took their child in, and it seems there was a multi-buy deal and the whole family gets diagnosed together(!) But I wonder how valid those diagnoses are, or if they are even correct as they clearly went through life working and functioning very highly and raised a family, but then does autism diagnosis have that threshold like with ADHD where the symptoms need to be 'significant'? I.e. with ADHD it doesn't count if "I hate waiting in line", you'd need to basically have an outburst. I guess it depends what "significant" actually means in a diagnostic setting.

I hope I make sense, I'm not always good at getting my point across.


r/AutisticPeeps 5d ago

Question Development

12 Upvotes

According to a brief overview of development milestones, young children are meant to engage in imaginative play, including pretending to be a dog, playing house, and generally activities that require other children.

I was practically an animal as a child, running barefoot outside, sleeping with the animals (cats, dogs, chicks, etc), resisting human interaction and hygiene, shedding clothes, mimicking animal mannerisms and calls - all alone, no interaction with other children.

Would this count as imaginative play? I still display these behaviors, and often forget that I am technically human.


r/AutisticPeeps 5d ago

Question I cannot watch films. Anyone else?

16 Upvotes

I am late diagnosed, + probably level 1 (asperger diagnosis) but i always had this problem or being unable to watch films. I never thought about it before, because i simply refused to watch them as a kid and i accepted it as a dislike towards films, but with my recent experience i have realized that i just dont recognise faces. I remember watching a cartoon recently, and i was able to point out an appearance of some side character, whereas in films i have a hard time recognising the mc and waste a tremendous time of watching the film by trying to figure it out. Anyone else?


r/AutisticPeeps 5d ago

Are there other forums you use apart from Reddit?

17 Upvotes

I'm tired of getting downvoted and banned, does anyone have a suggestion for forums that are chill? Not something like twitter with all the ridiculous hate stuff


r/AutisticPeeps 5d ago

Discussion I struggle to understand the plots of most movies

27 Upvotes

I have difficulty following the plots of movies and get easily confused. Movies typically rely on the viewer picking up social cues, nuances, inferring character motivations, and understanding other implicit information. I find these skills difficult in real life due to autism and believe it impacts my ability to understand movie plots. I always have to go on a movie’s wikipedia page to read the plot summary to help my understanding.

I am curious to find out if anyone else in this subreddit relates to this problem. Do you struggle to understand the plots of most movies?


r/AutisticPeeps 5d ago

Controversial ATEC

4 Upvotes

The ATEC is a questionnaire developed by the Autism Research Institute to score the severity of autism, mainly in small children.

With the input of my parent, I (20m) used the questionnaire.

I received a score of 79, which according to their chart places me in the moderate - closer to severe range.

I have not received a level, but believe my autism leans more mild to moderate and that the test follows a trend of exaggerating behaviors.

They cite studies that used their system.


r/AutisticPeeps 5d ago

Special Interest Warpaint in fictional media

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18 Upvotes

r/AutisticPeeps 6d ago

Meme/Humor Tfw you spend too much time stressing out over a task and now you're too drained to do the task

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48 Upvotes

r/AutisticPeeps 5d ago

Discussion My psychologist

8 Upvotes

I was diagnosed with level 1 autism 7 months ago at almost 32. I was initially diagnosed with pddnos at 3 1/2 years old and didn’t find out until I was 31 when my parents told me. I’ve had classic signs of autism from a very early age and have been in special education since I was 14 months old.

I was born with significant developmental delays and milestone delays. August 29th 2024 I was diagnosed with autism. At the results appointment the psychologist told me and my mom that I barely have level 1 support needs. What the fuck. I struggle with my autism every day and it significantly affects my functioning. I don’t know how the hell you can come up with this conclusion after only three appointments.

I had to restrain myself from exploding with rage. The psychologist also said he doesn’t view autism as a disability but a superpower. I had no response.

I’m trying to wrap my head around whet the psychologist told me. I know he’s wrong. In addition to the autism I also have ADHD and a specific learning disability and depression and anxiety.

If anyone could provide some insight or similar experiences I would greatly appreciate it.


r/AutisticPeeps 5d ago

Social Media Is this weird?

6 Upvotes

I follow several accts on Instagram run by an autistic person, mainly level 2 and 3s (with help). And the way they use Instagram, particularly the story function - if you remember hearing about Snapchat streaks, it's kind of like that - reminds me of how my non-autistic school mates did / continue to use it.

Constantly posting about their follower count, asking others to ask them questions / 'give excuses to info dump about their restrictive interests', reposting other ppl's - likely their friend - follower 'update' post to their story.

Just generally using it in a way that is typical of someone who is non-autistic - in my experience - and for the life of me, I can't figure out what the purpose of this is.

Do I not understand bc ive never done these types of things? Is it because I have less than a handful of friends?

I'm genuinely wondering if I'm missing something.


r/AutisticPeeps 7d ago

Self-diagnosis is not valid. New study finds online self-reports may not accurately reflect clinical autism diagnoses (well no shit, Sherlock)

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167 Upvotes

Bias is one of the first and most important concepts taught in introductory high school psychology classes. Attribution bias, self-fulfilling prophecy, the Barnum effect, and confirmation bias are just a few examples. The use of placebo pills in medication trials highlights the power of the brain in responding to suggestive cues and self-reporting symptoms. It's not surprising that science continues to demonstrate how self-testing (and by extension, self-diagnosis) is an ineffective tool for diagnosing disorders as complex as autism.