By J Wilcockson
Trainer in Understanding Autism at
Coventry Training Consortium
Many people I speak to will tell me that we are all a little autistic. This might be because they have been told this in their workplace training, or perhaps because they themselves, or someone they know, has traits that are often seen on the autism spectrum. When I did the online Autism Quotient test[i] the result was that I am highly unlikely to be autistic and do not require assessment. However, there are traits I have; things I know I have done for years which could be seen as ‘autistic’, including difficulties with some areas of sensory processing.
From all the training I have received, professionals and autistic individuals have all said that you are either autistic or you are not. As one autistic chap wittily and, I think, wisely commented: “saying you’re a little bit autistic is like saying you are a little bit pregnant!”.
There are two key areas of difficulty that should be identified before a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition is made: 1) Social Communication and Interaction, and 2) Repetitive and Restrictive Behaviour as well as Sensory Processing challenges.[ii] However, for each person these 3 areas will affect them differently. Being “on the spectrum” is not a straight line of least autistic to most autistic. Instead it is more of a circle, where each person’s strengths and challenges will sit differently on that circle compared to the next person’s – for some, those strengths and challenges can even vary from day to day.
For a person to be diagnosed as autistic they must be seen by a professional or team of professionals, who will consider as much of their history as possible and ask questions like those found in the Autism Quotient, as part of their assessment.
To receive a diagnosis of autism can bring a mass of different feelings and reactions but for many it brings relief and understanding and the hope it will start to open doors for any support they may need. To say that we are all a little autistic can trivialise and diminish the very real experience of living with an autistic diagnosis.
The aim of this blog is not to enter into debate but to remind ourselves that, whether or not a person has a diagnosis of autism, they are just that: a person, with their own needs, goals, pet hates, challenges and aspirations. The key is being person-centred; ensuring the support we give, and the environment in which it’s given, meets the person’s needs as an individual.
We have delivered autism training for many years at Coventry Training Consortium and the wonderful fact is that we’re all, always, still learning new things about autism. Everyone on the training has an enthusiasm and vested interest in the subject as we all either support individuals with autism, know someone outside of work who is autistic or have a diagnosis ourselves. Receiving training face-to-face means everyone has the space to talk about their experiences, ask those burning questions such as whether we aren’t all just a little autistic anyway and hopefully bust a few myths, whilst gaining a greater understanding.
References:
[i] Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) (psychology-tools.com)
[ii] The National Autistic Society, www.autism.org.uk