OT Expert<p>I am continually appalled by the DSM 5 autism diagnostic criteria.</p><p>I implore all health and social care professions (and everyone else too), to be better informed of what autism really is.</p><p>It is a difference in neurology - *not* a disorder. </p><p>We need to look at autism through the lens of the neurodiversity paradigm (See Dr. Nick Walker). </p><p>This does not dimiss any challenges or disability Autistic people may experience or have, (many of which are directly caused by the environment, society's attitude and (mis) understanding of Autistic people.</p><p>The language used in the DSM 5 is incredibly deficit-based and patholigised:</p><p>"Symptoms" "abnormal" "inappropriate" "persistent deficits".</p><p>It is also wholy wrong and dangerous to categorise autism into levels of severity. *There are no such levels*.</p><p>Many Autistic people fit the criteria for level 1, 2 and 3 within one day or week. The level of support needed for any individual (Autistic or not), greatly depends of various factors, including:</p><p>- How safe a person feels in that moment<br>- The context in that moment<br>- How suitable/conducive/hostile their environment is - at that time.<br>- The level of stress/anxiety that person is experiencing - at that time, or from past trauma.<br>- How understanding (or not) the people around them are, in that specific situation.</p><p>We all (humans) need a lot more support and would display more obvious signs of anxiety and distress if our individual needs are not met.</p><p>It's no help at all for some, for example to be given a 'diagnosis' of autism level 1, as people would see them as always only having 'mild/low' support needs. </p><p>This might be the case sometimes, but that person might be masking at times, or clearly be in distress at other times, needing support, or....</p><p>When the environment and situation is suitable, they might thrive and manage their tasks perfectly (e.g., a heart surgeon or content student at school).</p><p>Levels of autistic severity are a backwards step.</p><p>Please could all my fellow professionals take steps to better inform yourselves.</p><p>I'm happy to signpost to brilliant artles, training, resources... All Autistic-led. </p><p>Please boost if you agree. Thank you.</p><p><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.</span><span class="invisible">html</span></a><br>_<br><a href="https://c.im/tags/Autism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Autism</span></a><br><a href="https://c.im/tags/Monotropism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Monotropism</span></a><br><a href="https://c.im/tags/DSM" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>DSM</span></a><br><a href="https://c.im/tags/Pschologist" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Pschologist</span></a><br><a href="https://c.im/tags/Autistic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Autistic</span></a><br><a href="https://c.im/tags/OccupationalTherapists" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>OccupationalTherapists</span></a> <br><a href="https://c.im/tags/OccupationalTherapy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>OccupationalTherapy</span></a><br><span class="h-card"><a href="https://a.gup.pe/u/occtherapy" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>occtherapy</span></a></span> <br><a href="https://c.im/tags/Healthcare" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Healthcare</span></a><br><a href="https://c.im/tags/SLT" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SLT</span></a><br><a href="https://c.im/tags/AHP" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>AHP</span></a><br><a href="https://c.im/tags/HumanRights" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>HumanRights</span></a><br><a href="https://c.im/tags/Neurodiversity" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Neurodiversity</span></a><br><a href="https://c.im/tags/Neurodivergent" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Neurodivergent</span></a></p>