ASD and Autism

I am currently very concerned at the huge rise in ASD diagnosis. Certainly increased awareness plays a part, but there also appears to be a dilution of the meaning of the label resulting from the inclusion of more elements in this grouping that previously belonged elsewhere.

In addition, I see many ASD clients where the problem seems to be neurological upregulation, or increased sensitivity.  This is especially the case for the increasing numbers of girls with this set of symptoms: prone to overwhelm, oversensitivity, emotional wobbliness (dyscontrol) and huge anxiety leading to social withdrawal. This is not, in my view, usefully labelled ‘autism.’

Indeed, I really think the time has come for an entire rethink on how to classify this spectrum of difficulties – or presentations if we start to discard notions of neurotypicality. Nobody has yet successfully defined to me what ‘Neurotypical’ is so how can there be ‘Neurodiversity?’ I have written separately on that (NEURODIVERSITY-Feb-24).

As ever, some of the labelling is driven by the system’s needs for resource allocation and rationing: Special Educational Needs have to be managed so you need a ticket of entry. Do not mistake me, the children I see have undeniable problems and needs. But do they need an ASD label to have these problems addressed, or do their nervous systems need quietening down by work on toxic drivers, providing appropriate foods or vagal tone enhancement?