This is a delicate topic where one might unintentionally express ableism, so kindly take note. My son often says, ‘Offense is always taken, Mum!’ but rarely given, so please don’t take offense. Instead, view this as a scientific discussion from an autistic person, without filters, attempting an honest conversation about their autism and related matters in simple terms for everyone to understand. This, to me, is the most effective way to approach any subject, as I’ve been called brutally honest since university, though I’ve always considered it stating facts without understanding the perception difference.

The Problem:

When the brain is wired differently, it’s seldom just the primary issue identified during diagnosis, whether conducted by professionals or self-diagnosis. For instance, my own experience and that of my four children reveal a significant overlap of neurominority traits such as ADHD, Tourette’s, high IQ, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dysgraphia.

Globally, there’s a widespread issue post-autism diagnosis – the neglect of investigating other co-morbidities. The term “co-morbidity” itself becomes problematic, as even diseases like cancer and multiple sclerosis avoid using it. For neurotypicals, being labeled as co-morbid is unimaginable. This sensitivity is amplified for neurominorities, feeling like an unexpected ‘Damocles’ sword, a topic I’ll explore in another article.

Global Perspectives:

Views on neurominorities vary globally, often perceived as scary, leading to isolation or attempts at ‘curing’ them through questionable methods. In some countries, there’s a belief that neurominorities are possessed by some evil force, while in others, blame is placed on the mother for being too cold or too affectionate. These perceptions lead to various experiments aimed at “curing” them, ranging from electroshocks (Still seen in certain schools in Massachusetts USA in 2021) to lobotomies and even more horrifying “therapy” techniques, such as leaving a 3-year-old with oatmeal on its face to dry all day, in an attempt to regulate sensitivity issues (reported in the USA in 2022). Older techniques, like lobotomies, restraining by tying up the person, or locking a child in a room while both parents work, continue to persist. Addressing these issues is crucial for neurominority acceptance and appreciation while respecting diverse cultural perspectives.

Moving Forward:

The diagnosis process for non-verbal autistics typically stops once autism is identified. Co-morbidities are often neglected, resulting in a myopic focus on treating autistic criteria alone. This oversight can exacerbate co-morbid traits, leaving individuals spiraling despite efforts to help.

The Way Forward:

The brain rarely exhibits only one neurominority trait; overlapping traits are common. Establishing a comprehensive diagnostic system that considers all traits and is universally applicable is essential. For instance, the current reliance on psychiatric analysis introduces human biases and variable outcomes, making diagnosis dependent on individual perspectives.

Results:

Catherine invites your opinions, clinical results, and views to initiate a conversation on this matter. Contact her on Catherine Guimard | LinkedIn