I did not imply autism doesn't exist. I implied that kids who don't fall in line with their social programming run the risk of being diagnosed with autism as it's easier then reflecting on where or not the programming is correct.

[–] baggachipz@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

“Neuro-divergent” seems to be the catch-all today. Though I guess that’s considered on the spectrum too? Anyway, the majority of these cases seem to be “diagnosed” by YouTube parents.

[–] Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

I was diagnosed by an over ambitious child study team member in kindergarten that convinced my mother I had a learning disability. What followed was 13 years of wasted public education because every success proved the program worked and every failure proved the program was necessary.

If it had happened today, I would have been diagnosed with autism and nothing would be better.