← Back to context

Comment by tjwebbnorfolk

21 hours ago

I know this is the conventional view. But is it possible that the prevalence of autism has been somewhat exaggerated and overdiagnosed? There's a CLEAR profit motive here...

5 comments

tjwebbnorfolk

Reply
mapontosevenths  21 hours ago

Yes, but also we've gotten better at diagnosis. Both things are likely true to varying degrees.

That said, Elon is one of the most obviously autistic people I've ever seen. He's not a great example of overdiagnosis. In fact, if autism hadn't already been discovered they'd have taken one look at him and invented Elontism.

threethirtytwo  19 hours ago

No it's not over exaggerated at all. Autism is highly prevalent and everywhere. The industry made a mistake, it originally assumed autism was a rare condition, but now we're starting to see that it's a personality trait because it's so common. We're coming to similar realizations for other things like the concept of gender as well as society modernizes and gets rid of out-dated thinking practices.

  • mapontosevenths  18 hours ago

    Autism is not a personality trait. Many people are severely disabled by it and are essentially non-functional.

    Only about 15-20% have full time jobs. The suicide rate is incredibly, almost unbelievably, high. I think it was something like 80% have attempted suicide.

    Personally I think we need more subtypes again. Its weird to lump high functioning aspergers folks like the richest man in the world into the same category as those who have to wear helmets and be physically prevented from harming themselves.