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From a neurotypical's perspective

Jonn said:
Agreed.

Black and white thinking is erroneous thinking.
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Especially when there is still such a lot of confusion even among both auties and professional experts, how the heck someone who hasn't experienced it, and knows even less about it, could not have an even worse understanding is beyond me. Everyone seems to have a slightly different interpretation.
 
Boogs said:
Especially when there is still such a lot of confusion even among both auties and professional experts, how the heck someone who hasn't experienced it, and knows even less about it, could not have an even worse understanding is beyond me. Everyone seems to have a slightly different interpretation.
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Agreed. :cool:
 
Rachie said:
Thank you for this information Tiffany Kate.
I was conerned a bit when I read about the Level 3 areas as some people live alone and have to be responsible for themselves and I didn't wish more than I what I was measured at. Some time out it is what I thought and try and forget and move on.
I think this the second time I seen a mention of rocking etc in Level 3 diagnosing. Perhasps they both use the same source.

Moving on
I have read some conversation in this thread about eye contact.
Now the ADOS reads quite strange don't look at the examiner too much or then you score highly in at least 1 lol.
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In NYC, US, where I live, ASP 3 live in facilities designed for people with various conditions such as autism, severe form of Down Syndrome, etc. When these patients go outside they are being accompanied by counselors. I don't know if all states and cities have the same policy regarding the wellbeing of these individuals.
 
Boogs said:
How do you separate neurological from mental, when mentality is based on a neurological substrate?
What you are most likely seeing are the abilities of a fraction of ASD's to be able to mimic social signalling of various forms.

Not necessarily. One may have two or three very extreme recognised conditions, another may have six or eight milder one's, and both may not have the same individual conditions, and yet both be in the same ASD group. I don't think the current system of diagnosis has much to do with the individual conditions that can put a person in the autistic spectrum, but rather to do with the outcome of having one or more of a class of neurological condition.
I don't think of autism as a condition really, but rather a class of symptom caused by a class of varying and variable neurological/developmental conditions.

You're making too much out of the different groups, 1, 2 and 3, imho. I think these are far more focussed on diagnosing who needs appropriate therapy and what sort of therapy (and support), not on specific symptoms in themselves.
The type, number and severity of symptoms can provide an almost infinite range of possibilities (try throwing 6 20-sided dice and see how many combinations of results you can get) - these don't just slot into one of three categories, we're people like you, and infinitely variable like you, the categories are medical devices to provide the best levels of care to the most needy in an environment of insufficient resources - in other words they are a way of making something incredibly complex into a simpler form to allow an attempt at fair distribution of services to those most in need (just like with almost every other malady, but more complex and less well understood and early efforts rarely hit the nail on the head in medicine).
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Recently I have read several articles depicting latest research on the functioning of brains of people diagnosed with various conditions. The scientists were studying MRI pictures of brains of selected groups of people. They concluded that there are no pronounced differences between the NT and autistic brains. Apparently, the autistic brains function the same way their NT counterparts do. Currently there are no other metrics that would allow to distinguish these types of brain.

In sharp contrast, MRI photos of brains of people diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome show a marked difference from NT brains.

From logical standpoint, if the autistic brain is undamaged then the autistic neurological system is responsible for certain autism characteristics.

As far as I know, distinctions between Levels 1, 2 and 3 are based on results of autistic tests. I don’t know if the analysis of neurological symptoms plays a role in autism diagnostics. I hope it doesn’t because neurological symptoms pertaining to autism are not unique, a lot of other conditions have the same symptoms, which could lead to a very messy diagnostic.

It appears that currently there is only one autism therapy available, which is ABA. It has a spotty record and is universally disliked. I wish there were alternatives to ABA but don’t see any.

The level of care for different categories of autistic individuals depends on politics, at least in US. Even within US they are different from state to state without universally accepted rules and regulations. Probably, the situation is different in European countries with Federal systems of governance.

There are no clear differentiations between Levels 1, 2 and 3; you’re right about that. But I deal with the terminology that was handed to the public to show that autistic people diverge from one another just like NTs. These Levels are simplifications of complex situation, but at the moment there are no competing systems of autism classifications.
 
My take on the last few posts. I read and learn on here. I have another co condition which is the bearer of bad news for sure, nothing positive to be said about it. Many with this disorder are not capable of looking after themselves and truly many will indeed pass away far too young. At times you may have no clue what is going on.
I will show you here this video by Louis Therroux of a hospital with such patients. This is true I myself passed through this hospital and it got more heated at times.
Louis Theroux - Talking to Anorexia

I have more 2s than I wanted in my autism report, for I never examined it close enough at first and then the shock came to me and I was coasting with ahh just a sensory where I am most pronounced and then I read it properly and it is the whole repetition section itself, with communication involved and social interaction. That gave a lot for me to work through. I accept myself now for who I am.

We ourselves can have some varability.
The indicators for me though mark severity as shown on that day.
Clearly someone severely impacted at Level 3 situation will be different to a high functoning level 1.

It is just not easy for anyone, but many in level 1 are capable of acheving a degree of quality of life. It is not a pyschological disorder. You will probably have the best outcomes and at times jsee as a plus as I judged it on my own until I found the truth. Even if Level 3 I would accept it as well.

I never really did the masking thing in my life. I found that one a bit strange at times, but am trying to understand.

Some may harken for more as they feel they need more care, sad state of affairs.
 
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Do autistic brains look different on MRI?
They compared the imaging of the 142 children in that group with autism, to the general population and found there was lower neuron density in regions of the cerebral cortex. Some of these regions of the brain are responsible for tasks like memory, learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.9 Oct 2024
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What does autism look like in the brain?
Using positron emission tomography (PET) scans, researchers found that the brains of autistic adults have fewer synapses—crucial junctions where nerve cells send signals to and from each other or other types of cells—than the brains of neurotypical people.15 Oct 2024
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Can Asperger's be seen on a brain scan?
Neuropsychological testing can be used to uncover characteristics of Asperger syndrome. Audiography is indicated to rule out auditory discrimination deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) can reveal brain anomalies associated with the condition.13 Feb 2018
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Can autism be diagnosed in MRI?
While MRI is not currently used as a standalone diagnostic tool for autism, it offers a complementary approach that can enhance diagnostic accuracy and provide a deeper understanding of the condition.8 Jan 2024

Google Search
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It's reassuring to know that my brain is no different from NT brains then. I've always felt disturbed at having a different sized brain to everyone else, especially whenever I looked at pictures of what autistic brains apparently looked like (not sure where those pictures came from then?) and they were always bigger as if to indicate we're all Einsteins or something. I don't want to be super clever or have a large brain.
 
Yes, it's true that many autistic people are intelligent. Autism can be amazing. Not for me though. I'm more of average intelligence like the average NT, and have higher EQ.
 
Misty Avich said:
Yes, it's true that many autistic people are intelligent. Autism can be amazing. Not for me though. I'm more of average intelligence like the average NT, and have higher EQ.
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As I have said, you seem to be on the fringe of the autistic bell curve, assuming you are "one of us". :cool:
 
A lot of natural distributions follow bell curves, even covid followed a series of bell curves. getting smaller with each wave. IQ, and how long you live follow bell curves. Some are within my attachments on various threads. When working with data on processes The first thing I do is make sure the data is normal, way to tell if data is fake or not.
 
I have had an MRI scan of my head and I have read in actual journal it is very difficult to detect any differences in an autistic brain and a neurotypical brain. They found nothing of significance. However, for some areas like a learning disability there was indeed a significance. Even a sensory processing disorders you can see in the scan and think poor them.

It doesn't show itself to be in that head with autism.

I have not actually had my IQ tested. I would say knowing myself I can have a good hyperfocus and like drawing all my strenghts together and do my best to try and get some topics and walk away when too taxing for free. Some I would run away from unless needed for study and would opt for a pass not Enistein if I couldn't do it. I like what I like.

A normal IQ is around 85 to 115. A consultant at 21 estimated I probably had a normal one but whose to know if not tested. I did those online tests and would get over 130 but those are but mere jokes or what.

A leaning disablity IQ is less than 70. I haven't come across anyone apparently like that on here for I can sense it especially when profound. I want to be respectful. I wonder do some mean learning difficulties at times for they seem intelligent and bright as a button gifted up as well and the autism is apparent but that learning disability I struggle to get my head around. If your IQ is that badly affected, should you be using online some times.
General learning disability

Now that Level 3 autism on its own no disability as pretty much sure I go to levels like 2-3 in a difficult situation can scale there like in meltdown terriority. Would like to see some people getting on with life with Level 3.

I have wondered if I have something like that, perhaps a difficulty or two lol. I don't think I want my IQ professionally tested.
 
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