thoughts on functioning labels

[Crossbreed]

Just a twinge of hierarchical
angst.

So, do you think that severity "levels" are helpful of harmful?

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

witn apology for the horribly outdate metaphor

This whole venue is an example
of too many chiefs and not enough indians.

That's my old lab partners Favorite saying he is east Indian.

 

[watersprite]

Labels are, generally speaking, used by society’s powerful members.
So the answer, if there really is one, is: it depends.

 

[watersprite]

That's my old lab partners Favorite saying he is east Indian.

This response is the capstone of an anazing day.
Thank you.

 

[Greatshield17]

So until your novel gets published, what do you suggest?

Keeping our eyes open for opportunities, heck my whole idea for this novel was inspired by a meme, "Autistic Girl Autumn." On the other hand my life plans now regard getting married, getting a homestead and starting a family and that alone and extremely powerful defense because all societies and communities are built on families, in fact going back to my novel, this itself is discussed and promoted:

 

[Callistemon]

Talking about labels...and a sort of "meta" example.

We're all Homo sapiens.

Funny label though, isn't it, and rather giving ourselves airs as a species. Wise? I think we'd be more aptly named Homo ridiculus, just looking at society, the news etc etc.

And considering how we are as a species, looked at from a visiting-alien point of view, it's kind of weird for people to be nit-picking about the differences that they do.

But I guess the fundamental problem of our species is lack of empathy, and playing "us vs them"...

 

[Thinx]

Talking about labels...and a sort of "meta" example.

We're all Homo sapiens.

Funny label though, isn't it, and rather giving ourselves airs as a species. Wise? I think we'd be more aptly named Homo ridiculus, just looking at society, the news etc etc.

And considering how we are as a species, looked at from a visiting-alien point of view, it's kind of weird for people to be nit-picking about the differences that they do.

But I guess the fundamental problem of our species is lack of empathy, and playing "us vs them"...

Well I get your point, but I think the label homo sapiens works in terms of denoting the vastly expanded brain capacity in comparison to most animals.

But brain capacity is different from actual use of brain.

 

[fern_77]

I agree that one of the biggest problems with the level system is that it is inaccurate, and that on an individual or communal level it's easier to say an Autistic person has X, Y and Z aspects about him or herself. The problem is on a societal level, not having the level system will lead to the wider populace having prejudices and misunderstandings about Autistic people and perpetuate the belief that Autism is a "disease" that "takes our children," employing the level system will mitigate those misunderstandings and prejudices.

If you don't mind me asking, why do you think that employing the level system would mitigate prejudices? As an autistic person who is sometimes made fun of at school, I don't think telling the people who make fun of me that I'm "Level 1 Autistic" would do anything to decrease the disrespect I face.

 

[fern_77]

While I totally get the views against using functioning labels, I do feel the need for some sort of way to convey that I have high support needs. I'm very minimally speaking- I only speak to one person in my life and I cannot use phones. So for me to try to even convey my needs is super hard. And those needs don't fluctuate. I'm always at this level. It's a hard subject, I do understand the need for better wording- but some way of conveying a certain level without having the need of explaining it would be awesome.

I really appreciate your input. As I am someone who is not minimally speaking, your viewpoint is helpful. Thank you very much.

 

[Crossbreed]

I don't think telling the people who make fun of me that I'm "Level 1 Autistic" would do anything to decrease the disrespect I face.

Nothing you say will turn jerks into non-jerks. It is just best to avoid them as you are able.
Concise descriptions are only worthwhile for those who actually care about us.

 

[Greatshield17]

If you don't mind me asking, why do you think that employing the level system would mitigate prejudices? As an autistic person who is sometimes made fun of at school, I don't think telling the people who make fun of me that I'm "Level 1 Autistic" would do anything to decrease the disrespect I face.

Well, I guess that's sort of the flip side of the individual or communal level, if people already know an Autistic person and obstinately decided that that person deserves to be bullied; there isn't much one can do other than just to reject them as jerks.

Societal level is a different story, there we're dealing a populace to whom the mainstream media has repeatedly portrayed all Autistic people as level 3 Autistic people; on that level we can reasonably hope that a significant portion of that populace is open minded and thus, will allow their views to be changed via the use of these labels.

 

[Matthias]

I agree that one of the biggest problems with the level system is that it is inaccurate, and that on an individual or communal level it's easier to say an Autistic person has X, Y and Z aspects about him or herself. The problem is on a societal level, not having the level system will lead to the wider populace having prejudices and misunderstandings about Autistic people and perpetuate the belief that Autism is a "disease" that "takes our children," employing the level system will mitigate those misunderstandings and prejudices.

Do you think ASD 3 is a disease that should be treated differently than ASD 1?

The symptoms are identical, only the severity of them is different, which I think suggests they have the same cause.

 

[Crossbreed]

Do you think ASD 3 is a disease that should be treated differently than ASD 1?

The symptoms are identical, only the severity of them is different, which I think suggests they have the same cause.

ASD3 has a higher co-morbid load than ASD1. Those need additional considerations than just autism by itself [ASD1].

Even two ASD3s need to be treated differently.
They might have the same severity score, but it can be for different reasons.
For example, my ASD3 daughter has severe cognitive deficits.
Another ASD3 might understand things just fine, but have severe executive dysfunction, etc.