Adult diagnosis: Blessing or curse?
Getting a diagnosis of high-functioning autism or Asperger’s as an adult can be difficult. Many of the symptoms are masked with learned ‘typical’ behavior.
While grateful to get a diagnosis at forty this writer, author of DJ Kirkby’s blog, isn’t sure if the label is a blessing or a curse.
“Sometimes, my ‘High Functioning’ abilities prevent me from obviously needing extra accommodations in the workplace. Often, I will struggle to maintain a facade of Nerotypical behaviours at work. I may misunderstand directions or may have difficulty relating to co-workers. I may misinterpret the culture of the business I work for, making remarks which are ‘inappropriate’ or failing to appear at the Required Social Event. When I am outspoken at meetings and demand to adhere to the set agenda others blame this on my behaving ‘too Canadian’.
When I get reprimanded, my ‘High Functioning’ label is there to remind me (and everyone else who is aware of my label) that this is my own fault.”
Autism is not another word for being a jerk
Empathy, according to some, is what makes humans “human.” Anne C., author of Existence is Wonderful, writes about her concern.
“My concern is that if autistic people are culturally defined as “lacking empathy”, and if people aren’t exceedingly careful to define their terms (which they often aren’t), and if “empathy” is widely considered to be a precursor to conscience, then we’re basically being written off straight from the get-go.”
She continues further down with:
“I’m almost beginning to suspect that some folks might actually believe that in order to have an internal, affective response to another person’s suffering or delight, and in order to engage in ethical behavior (which should never be confused with, or conflated with, “nice” behavior), a person must also consistently display the ability to read and respond to typical social cues in expected ways very fast in real-time.
And if anyone gets anything at all out of reading this, I would hope that it’s some degree of reassurance that this is not, in fact, the case.”
These posts highlight only a couple of the bloggers blogging for autism awareness this month. There are more awesome bloggers on the right rail.
Related posts:
- Autism Reads: From the financial strains of autism to bad parenting as the cause
- Autism Reads: From ‘Autism is Hell’ to political correctness
- Autism Reads: From blocked autism bill to dedicated teachers
- Autism Reads: From preemies at risk to financial and emotional bankruptcy
- Autism Reads: From hiding in the closet to converting bullies
Genevieve Hinson is a social media coordinator for Children's Hospital Central California. She's also a writer, wife and mom to two boys and a girl. The opinions she expresses here are her own, as is her obsession for coffee.
