#autismresearch

Autism is a lifelong state, known to be highly heritable. In modern usage, we usually describe it as a 'neurodevelopmental disorder' or 'neurological condition'... But, even while this framing is widely accepted, autism continues to be clinically measured (in the absence of biomarkers, despite the hopeful billions spent in research money) almost exclusively through its outward manifestations. Some of which may look suspiciously like distress. It’s a bit like measuring the water in a glass only by looking at the condensation on the outside, without taking into account things like room temperature. It’s not that there isn’t any water; it’s just that the way you’re measuring it is highly unreliable. https://www.neurofabulous.org.uk/the-trap-of-diagnostic-circularity.html #Autism #Trauma #Neurodevelopment #Autistic #Pathologising #AutismResearch

Is empathy a less reliable basis for morality than people tend to assume? A thread on empathy, morality, and autistic reasoning ♾️ Empathy works a bit like a spotlight. It illuminates a certain bit of the landscape – the bit that’s in front of us, or that we choose to see – but not all of it. That's a problem if we confuse empathy with morality. (Note: at the end I've explained what I mean by 'empathy') ⬇️ #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #Autism #Empathy #Morality #SocialJustice #CriticalPsychology #AutismResearch

Autistic people are famously fond of logic, and data. We’ve also repeatedly ‘failed’ in tests designed to evaluate our empathy. Tests which I found more interesting as a ‘spot the assumption’ exercise than serious research – or at least, serious research into what the studies professed to be about. I wrote a thread about it: https://mas.to/@KatyElphinstone/116070156336606549 ⬇️ #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #AutismResearch #Empathy #AutisticThinking #CriticalPsychology #Logic #Reasoning #Neurodiversity #DoubleEmpathy

"What is it about these people?" A thread on abused women, autistic people... and a question asked backwards. Researchers have spent a great deal of time trying to work out what kind of woman is especially likely to end up in abusive relationships. Which personality traits make women susceptible. They've also spent a huge amount of time (and money) pondering over what it is about autistic people that makes them not fit in, and struggle. A thread 🧵 ⬇️ #ActuallyAutistic #AutismResearch #Trauma #DomesticAbuse #VictimBlaming #CriticalPsychology #SocialModelOfDisability 1/13

"Autistic people aren’t afraid of genetic research – they are afraid of what scientists might do with it" #AutismResearchhttps://theconversation.com/autistic-people-arent-afraid-of-genetic-research-they-are-afraid-of-what-scientists-might-do-with-it-284387 Thank you @rmblaber1956@mastodon.social for sharing this excellent article.