Autistic people should be able to diagnose THEMSELVES in some cases, top expert says
People who think they are autistic should be able to “identify” themselves as such – in some cases without a doctor’s diagnosis, according to a leading expert.
Recent documentaries by the BBC’s autistic nature presenter Chris Packham and the openness of high-profile celebrities with autism, such as billionaire Elon Musk and TV personality Melanie Sykes, have raised awareness of autism, with many people suspecting they have autistic traits, such as an intense interest in certain hobbies or repetitive routines.
As of last March, there were more than 100,000 people with suspected autism awaiting diagnosis, nearly 40 percent more than the previous year, with many people turning to online questionnaires to try for themselves to see if they show signs of autism.
Now a leading expert, Professor Sue Fletcher-Watson, says people shouldn’t always wait for medical confirmation, but should be able to decide for themselves whether they have autism.
It is often claimed that around one in 100 people in the UK are autistic, but research from the US suggests the rate may be more than twice that – around one in 44 people.
One expert says people who think they have autism should be able to “identify” themselves as such, one expert said
Speaking after a conference on neurodiversity called ITAKOM (It Takes All Kinds Of Minds), Professor Fletcher-Watson from the University of Edinburgh told the Mail: ‘People often self-identify as autistic, just as they identify themselves by their gender. or ethnicity.
“This should be an option for people because you shouldn’t need a doctor to tell you who you are.
“People who just want to know if they are autistic so they can better understand their own behavior and connect with other autistic people don’t necessarily have to jump through all the hoops to get a diagnosis.
“Our NHS is under enormous pressure at the moment, so we have to ask ourselves if diagnosis is always necessary, or if self-identification may be enough for some people.”
Professor Fletcher-Watson said self-identification with autism can be faster than getting a diagnosis from doctors, who can sometimes get it wrong because of outdated and limited tests for the condition.
She said: ‘Going to a doctor is normally associated with being ill – understandably that’s not the most enjoyable way to start life as an autistic person.’
“Neurodivergence,” meaning having an atypical mind, is a category primarily used to describe conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and Tourette’s syndrome.
Autism has been identified later in life for TV presenter Melanie Sykes and Christine McGuinness, the presenter and former partner of Paddy McGuinness.
Professor Fletcher-Watson said neurodivergent disorders can be overlooked and picked up only later in life because narrow definitions are used.
The expert, who lectured on neurodiversity at ITAKOM, in Edinburgh, on March 13, said: ‘It can’t help that people with autism are stereotyped in popular culture as being highly intelligent or good with computers, with many autistic people finishing above in Silicon Valley.
“That may mean that people who don’t feel ‘smart’, or aren’t great at math, don’t feel they fit the mold of autism.
“There are also many misconceptions, such as that autistic people are not empathetic, when in fact they just show empathy differently.”
On autism sometimes being missed in women, the expert added, “There are women with an intense interest in Harry Styles or haute couture, the ‘limited interests’ used to diagnose autism.
“They might follow every little detail of these topics that they love, but because the topics don’t fit the traditional model of autism, it can be missed when it comes to diagnosis.”
“Some of these people might benefit from self-identification, but it’s not without danger and I don’t want to encourage the idea that everyone is ‘a little bit autistic.'”
Dr. Andrew Stanfield, a psychiatrist and autism expert from the University of Edinburgh, expressed a different view: ‘Self-identification is completely valid, but there is often a need for a formal diagnosis as well, as that can help people access support and organisations. for autism, but also being helpful when it comes to things like work and benefits.
“There is always a risk of self-identification as someone who assumes they are autistic may in fact have a mental health problem that they could deal with if they knew this was the case.
“Self-identification is becoming more common, so we need to be aware of that.”
Tim Nicholls, Head of Influencing and Research at the National Autistic Society, said: ‘Anyone who begins to think as an adult that they might be autistic will go through a period of identifying with what it means to be autistic.
“If they do, they need support and advice.
“Waits for clinically informed assessments to support an individual’s understanding of their own differences and needs are unacceptably long across the country.
“It is vital that governments address this access to ensure that anyone who believes they are autistic has the support they need to live fulfilled lives on their own terms.”