Thread by @AutSciPerson

I didn't watch the youtube video yet, and I..

I should've watched the youtube video first.

It's bad. (Quotes below)

#StopSpectrum10K
#Spectrum10K

1/14

"The causes of autism are complex. Some scientists think there may be thousands of genes involved. Researchers have already found more than 100 genes of autism. But mutations of those genes are only found in 5% of autistic people. So 95% of autistic people must carry other genes"

"that are linked to autism that are still unknown. However, not every person who has an autism gene is autistic.
That stretch of DNA is linked to autism but doesn't always cause autism. So, we need to know why not." 3/14

"Furthermore, these genetic changes are also associated with other conditions, such as epilepsy, ID, gut problems, and depression. As well as providing an explanation for the condition," 4/14

"some families may also find emotional and practical support from others who have the same changes in the same gene. Knowledge about autism genes can also help us tailor better support for individuals. For example, some autistic individuals have sleep difficulties." 5/14

"For some, changing the environment can help, but for others, knowing the genetics can lead to individualized care. Participation in Spectrum 10k will help us deepen our understanding of who you are."

This video does not emphasize co-occurring conditions at all.
6/14

Also, I'd like to remind all of these autism researchers here that there is VERY little understanding of sleep in general.

So the idea that there would be "individualized care" based on someone's genes is honestly absurd at this point.
7/14

The best treatments for hypersomnia, narcolepsy, (& I believe sleep phase disorder),

are nearly all the same!!

"let's put you on stimulants."

And it's just as bad for insomnia.

There is NOT individualized care for sleep issues even if you learn there's different genes.
8/14

It's trial and error of medication (often after already trying any life changes you can).

The focus on sleep, although it's very important to research in other ways, makes no sense in the context of genetics because we don't even know how to treat basic sleep disorders!
9/14

I honestly think the only real worthy cause in this entire thing is figuring out how to treat epilepsy.

And let's be clear - they could have just focused on epilepsy! But instead they do this "we're helping autistic people" and subgrouping BS that doesn't actually help. 10/14

The most ridiculous part to me is they talk about how other people could "seek support" and "find people" based on their genetic profile and gene mutations!

You really think in the future, every autistic person is going to get a genetic report and then seek others out? 11/14

We already have categories! The categories are the co-occurring conditions you just mentioned in the video! We don't need genetics to figure that out.

Other categories include: different modalities of hypersensitivities & different modalities of hyposensitivities.
12/14

I feel like the people who do these giant genetic studies want to live in Gattaca or something.

I don't want to live in Gattaca! The autistic people I know don't want to live in Gattaca!

We just want support and to be able to live with supports and accommodations.
13/14

I know this is going to surprise you but for most things, aside from certain co-occurring conditions like epilepsy,

you don't need to figure out everyone's individual genes for that.
14/14