Would you say that overweight young men on public transport who use headphones have the Autism?

Sometimes they seem rather skittish too. Obviously I do not mean they are severely Autistic but perhaps they need a case worker.

Often they have very bad fashion sense too. No I do not need to be reminded that you like that thing that's written on your T shirt every time you get on the bus, thank you very much.

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OogieBoogie · F

No.
Its why they call autism the invisible disability.
You cant predict by looking at someones physical appearance, if they are on the spectrum.

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@OogieBoogie Indeed - more, "autism" and phrases like "the autistic spectrum" and even just "on the spectrum" have become over-used into meaninglessness outside of any clinical setting. An easy rationale for anything thought mildly eccentric.

Nothing new in this, of course.

At one time, the label was "well-adjusted", which I recall seemed to be a favoured compliment used by American adults of anyone but especially children, who fitted some artificial pattern. I never knew what that pattern was - beyond perhaps abject submission to some ordained cod-psychological model - but I came to realise it was a mere label. A clinical-psychologist told me it has no medical meaning or use!

OogieBoogie · F

@ArishMell they arent totally meaningless .
Jusr ask someone who is autistic and isnt diagnosed.

It may be just a lable, but in these modern times, if you are different , an appropriate lable can make life a little easier .

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@OogieBoogie I didn't say the descriptions of autism are meaningless. I added "outside of any clinical setting".

In other words, when used randomly and flippantly for nothing more than someone's tastes. As for obesity, that is a genuine medical problem but has nothing to do with autism.

OogieBoogie · F

@ArishMell I know.
I agree.
I know of people who arent autistic, but have been diagnosed autistic jist because of bad parenting and lack of social engagement.

Yet i know of people who struggle daily with autism, and have no diagnosis .

The whole system is fucked up.

MsBellows · 61-69, F

@OogieBoogie the person I'm thinking of only washes their hair once a month.

OogieBoogie · F

@MsBellows i see where you are trying to make connections .

But the person you are describing could also be severly introverted, desocialised, depressed, or suffer from one of many types of personality disorders or mental illnessness....or even trauma.

I see your concern, but unless you talk to them and learn, presumptions can taint our perceptions of what reality is.🤷‍♀️

MsBellows · 61-69, F

@OogieBoogie he has rainbow shoe laces too

OogieBoogie · F

@MsBellows i think youre missing the point of what im trying to explain .