Thread by @ekverstania

[THREAD]
Today someone mentioned that for their psychology degree's ASD and ADHD module, they have to read ‘Autism: a very short introduction’ by Uta Frith (Oxford University Press, 2008).

Here, dear reader, is what psychology students are being taught, and it's bad.

“There are now a number of people who have diagnosed themselves as having Asperger syndrome. These individuals often call themselves Aspies, and they feel different from NTs or neurotypicals."

Bear in mind, Asperger Syndrome was removed as a label from newer editions of the DSM after this date, and the phenomenon was combined with Autism Spectrum Disorder. But students still get prescribed this. And now it gets worse:

"They do not need the attention of a clinician. They are perfectly adapted in their everyday lives, occupying a niche that is just right for their special interests and skills."

"It is not surprising that these people argue that Asperger syndrome is not a disorder. To them it is merely a difference, and a difference to be proud of."

"Some campaigners go even further and say that for the whole of the autism spectrum it is wrong to talk of brain abnormalities, wrong to focus on deficits in the mind, and wrong to highlight impairments in behaviour."

"Instead there should only be talk of differences in brain and mental make-up, some of which represent the autistic mind."

"This is a strange proposition. To someone who is familiar with classic cases and other severe cases of autism, and knows of the suffering that is associated with autism, it seems perverse. You may disagree, but then this book is not for you.”

So, here is a bit of a problem with this book. The opinion of some 'Aspies' (outdated word!) gets presented, albeit without reference to the human rights model of disability as espoused in the #CRPD, and...

...with an oversimplified aggregation of the views of people who espouse the neurodiversity paradigm.

And that's where the mention of #ActuallyAutistic opinion stops: with the 'Aspies'!

This is 2021! The OTHER, non-Aspie autists have been putting their words out there for YEARS. Many are part of the neurodiversity movement. Read this thread, good grief!

https://twitter.com/ekverstania/status/1360724255906873344

Psychology students shouldn't be made to read a 2008 book by Uta Frith!

Autism isn't a psychological condition anyway; it's a neurodevelopmental phenomenon (or a collection of neurotypes); and that understanding is key to determining the kind of support that autistic people may need.

https://twitter.com/ekverstania/status/1369945569007968256

In 2021, this vexing message comes across like, "Self-diagnosed 'Aspies' are doing the talking about autism. They don't have problems you should bother with, and you shouldn't listen to them. No other autists are saying anything, so listen to meeeeeeeeee."

https://twitter.com/ekverstania/status/1401322226771714048

Now, autism may not be a psychological disorder, but autistic people, INCLUDING SELF-IDENTIFIED AUTISTIC PEOPLE may well need the help of a psychologist at some point. But we can't have Uta-Frith-in-2008-psychology! Argh!

https://twitter.com/ekverstania/status/1370298693883203584

And it's jolly well time to listen to what autistic people with high support needs are saying about the kind of help they need from psychologists.

https://twitter.com/ekverstania/status/1335596748891414532

Like this, for example: #AllowAACinTherapy

https://twitter.com/ekverstania/status/1383129230473564168

But it's not all. Going for 10, 20 or 50 years without any kind of communication, not even being able to communicate with eye gaze because your nystagmus is so bad, IS TRAUMATIC.

Special support is needed for people who've been through that, and who may have had cruel behaviour therapy on top of the exasperating struggle with their bodies.

Psychology students aren't learning to provide this support, because most of their lecturers don't #ListenToNonspeakers.

So, enough of this nonsense. We're gonna have a revolution.

https://twitter.com/ekverstania/status/1199777211311673348

And the revolution in the autism professions will be spearheaded by Black, LGBTQ+ and nonspeaking autistic people.

https://twitter.com/ekverstania/status/1378353804958179336

"Get ready for change."
— Zekwande Mathenjwa (@autisticspeak)