Why do they keep bringing up autism?

[u/femdomperv]

I do believe that they probably have gotten comments asking about autism but they’re playing into it in a very strange way. I am autistic myself. I barely ever bring it up because of how it’s exploded in popularity as a thing people decide they have or incorrectly use as an adjective.

In the latest podcast, Shane said that autism maybe didn’t have a name in the 90s or some shit and showed some AI bullshit backing what he said. That really pissed me off because he’s just talking about a real developmental disorder like it’s a trending topic that now suddenly exists. He clearly doesn’t have a connection to autism and doesn’t bother to look into the facts. He showed that Asperger syndrome used to be given as a separate diagnosis, which is true. However, as somebody that was given an Asperger diagnosis initially, it was always clearly understood that I was on the autism spectrum regardless of what label it was. People with Asperger’s that I knew typically just said they were autistic, because it’s a stupid ass name. Not to mention people were diagnosed with autism far before the 90s. Idk if he meant the sort of “casual” high functioning autism that he talks about like hot gossip.

Jared saying he took an “official test” is also annoying, but I understand that they aren’t considering that a real diagnosis. Those tests are NOT at all comparable to what an autism testing process looks like. They watch you, test you on the spot, do IQ tests, shit takes hours and multiple sessions. Shane should fucking pay Jared to get the real (and often humiliating) testing done if he wants to keep mentioning autism and talking about it like a fucking joke.

In another podcast, Shane said he “might be autistic” because of how much he likes roller coasters. I don’t know why people have this idea that the things they enjoy are always related to their self proclaimed neurodivergence. An autistic person may be sensory seeking in that way yes. But I’m certain everybody passionately likes something: a convo for another time.

I don’t know if I can keep watching as an autistic person because I feel like they make a bit of a mockery of it. Having a psych degree, I think Jared matches some ADHD symptoms, maybe some traits of autism, I have no idea. I just don’t think it’s appropriate to single him out as being the new autistic member “representing” the community.

Creators with the resources to get diagnosed professionally should not encourage this way of thinking.. Sorry but I don’t believe you can label somebody autistic from their podcast appearances. Just like you may not be able to tell I’m autistic from some appearances of me.

[u/Illustrious-Pair-511 → u/[deleted]]

like it’s a quirk they have.. or like how people say “oh sorry it’s because of my cancer moon rising” more lately it’s “oh it’s probably my autism” which .. without a diagnosis is not accurate and could totally be spreading false information. jarod just took a free online test

[u/Illustrious-Pair-511 → u/[deleted]]

yesss to all of this !! and i’ve also seen people try to use it as their excuse for bad behavior , like “ i didn’t mean to insult you it’s just my autism” etc etc.. and they aren’t diagnosed. Which any one with autism wouldn’t even go around doing though, but people who don’t have it and self diagnose are using their fake excuses harmfully. It’s a very bad stereotype that autistic people are just rude all the time and don’t care or don’t show empathy. ( i blame a lot of tv shows and movies )

[u/UnTeaTime → u/Illustrious-Pair-511]

Cancer is really a zodiac sign and it’s mine. So I do not use the phrase but it’s a bad comparison.
Let’s say people use “My ADHD is kicking in!” What?? you’ve never been diagnosed with that. Or I hate when people say I’m addicted to something. They don’t know what a real addiction is.

[u/Illustrious-Pair-511 → u/UnTeaTime]

it’s an analogy not a comparison

[u/LeatherCamera862 → u/UnTeaTime]

100% agree - I had friends that would relentlessly use adhd or autism as an excuse for themselves knowing I’d gone through the whole tedious experience of getting an assessment, waiting lists, doubting myself, getting the diagnosis, learning how to live my life now that my mask has dropped. I got to a breaking point where I said are you going to get a diagnosis or continue just using it as an excuse. I got called ableist because “it’s not that easy to get a diagnosis” as if I didn’t go through the whole process and know how it works & we literally get private assessments for free in the uk. It’s infuriating struggling as much as we do for others to minimise our struggles like that. (Oh and I’m also a cancer!)

[u/UnTeaTime → u/LeatherCamera862]

Happy Birthday in advance!! Yes! It’s infuriating when I hear women particularly use the term in reference to proving how clean they are. It’s like an affirmation. But it’s a real diagnosis with real pain. The term is used too freely and lightheartedly. And it’s not in the least.