A boy is a boy! A girl is a girl! Anything else is adult exploitation using child injurious labels!

Around the world there as a fuzzy sight, a hazy sound, lurking to find the ‘incurable social misfits’ are the label makers. Job creators. Government funding activists. Their job is to twist the innocent psychology of children and those with permanent physical and mental impairments into money creating legends and myths.

During my life I have never met a human that is not unique or complex in their reaction to the world they were born into. Biologically ‘race’ verifies the billions of human beings living today all belong to only one species: Homo sapiens. 

The biology of sex tells us that a person is born with either male or female genitals via X with no Y, homogametic or Y, heterogametic sex chromosomes. Any other gender identity is a political or psychology preference. A fanciful idea without solid scientific evidence to back it.

Ambiguous genitalia is a medical condition which is rare and is a result of disorder of biological sex development. In extreme cases the genitals may be incomplete or may appear to have the characteristics of both sexes. The infrequent condition may result in a genetically female child having a clitoris that sticks out more than is considered normal by the medical onlookers at the birth. Or a genetically male child having a smaller penis than is considered normal by the medical onlookers involved at the child’s birth.

A person who is blind cannot see. FULL STOP!

A person who is deaf cannot hear. FULL STOP!

A person who is a complete paraplegic, paralysed from the chest or waist down cannot walk or stand up. FULL STOP!

Blind, deaf, paraplegic are not labels they are medical conditions that some people live with in their normal daily life. Autism on the other hand is a tick the box modern era social label which will normally be accompanied by social funding.

The word ‘autism’ comes from the Greek word ‘autos,’ which means ‘self’. Today the label is commonly used to describe children with troublesome expressive or social problems and the ‘disorder’ is said to run in families. As is the label Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Incurable diagnosis. No known cure is said to exist, however, there are many drugs, test options, surveys, and suggested therapy offered by service providers to find then treat the underlying socially dysfunctional symptoms that can get in the individual’s way of social acceptability.

Often the case study child is suffering with childhood. Nothing more, nothing less.

No human being has the same fingerprint as another, and it is an extremely rare occurrence that conjoined twins share parts of their brain with each other. Even then despite their unique connection, the twins remain two distinct people. One can be talkative, outgoing, and high-strung, while the other may be quieter, more relaxed and with a love to joke around. But they both may also have a temper and show aggression if they do not get their own way.

Autism, and ADHD are a modern socially inflicted Catch-22. A painful societal rejection of individual character as a result of thinking and communicating differently than most others in their circle. Sometimes social labels are used to water down the family embarrassment caused by a medical diagnosis such as mental retardation.

In the past 30 years there has been an increased awareness by early childhood specialists, teachers and child psychologists that has led to the labelling of many more children with Autism and ADHD in society today. The so called experts are educated in signature signs to look for. Catch them early to save them… give them strategies to learn the confusing rules of the world they were born into.

A functioning human being on the autism spectrum can speak, read, write, and manage basic life skills such as using money, eating, and getting dressed, they can study, live independently, but may have a hard time with social interaction and communication… they can hold down jobs, be intensively creative, and might find it difficult to make friends in some social settings and do not like much eye contact or small talk.

Characteristics of autism can include an exceptionally good memory, a very literal and blunt communication style, difficulty in understanding non-verbal cues, narrow special interests which can become obsessive and strong adherence to routines and order. These same characteristics can be commonly found in the mainstream population and are not unique to a particular spectrum.

So what if an individual has repetitive or restrictive habits and wants to live their life in a routine and orderly manner! Footy Fanatic! Petrol Head! Fashion Guru! Tech Head! Disney Princess Obsessed! Cat lover! Dog lover! Who has made these distinctive typical need an explanation of a way to be included in modern society? A person who wants to live as a cat or a dog is displaying abnormal mental disturbance and needs to be classified as mentally ill

It is society today that has the problem because it is society that wants to find these people, label them, and change them to make them fit into the mainstream world of societal normality. Emphasise they are different, make them feel they need special help, and never expect from them that you would expect from ‘normal’ siblings or the boy next door.

Rigid rule thought processing creates champions in all areas of human endeavour. But when the trait is seen in some children, the child is often put in the ‘abnormal’, needs to be fixed box.

Just because a person does not talk about their emotions or the emotions of other people or does not inflict emotive actions such as hugs on others and rejects hugs from others it does not mean the individual lacks emotional intelligence. Nor is the behaviour a base indicator that the individual does not enjoy physical contact with others. What it does demonstrate is a clear preference for an individual’s orientation to their outside world.

Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, is said to be the first person to use the term ‘autism’. He started using it in about 1911 to refer to one group of symptoms related to a serious mental illness, schizophrenia.

In 1943, a child psychiatrist, Leo Kanner, who lived in Baltimore came up with a curious set of behaviours he noted in a total of 11 children under his care. In 1944, a paediatrician, Hans Asperger, living in Vienna wrote a paper describing many of the same curious patterns of behaviour in four boys. The behaviours included “a lack of empathy, little ability to form friendships, one-sided conversation, intense absorption in a special interest and clumsy movements”.

Neither Kanner or Asperger knew the other medico or of their work. Synchronicity: both coined their observations of the condition as autism.

Asperger’s Syndrome entered the disorder scene somewhere around 1994 more than a decade after autism was coined as a mental disorder. Today the terminology Asperger’s Syndrome has lost its flavour. As has Pervasive Development Disorder which is now labelled as autism spectrum disorders or ASD level 1, 2, or 3.

Is Autism today a mental health pandemic… Exactly how much ‘eye-to-eye gaze’, under what circumstances, is required for one to be considered normal?   

There is a play called ‘Under the Umbrella’ the play explores tradition, trauma, and triumph in the art of finding love. The play tells the story of a young woman about to turn 27. Her grandmother is worried as in China, 27 brings the label of ‘shengnu’ meaning leftover woman… so a husband must be found before it is too late. Torn between the pressures of her family and her life in Coventry, can the young woman find a path between them without losing sight of her own dreams…

No single definition for autism exists. Autism is said to manifest in different ways. Autism is complex. An umbrella term encompassing a broad spectrum of people doing a broad spectrum of human being behaviours usually labelled as repetitive, challenging, or unusual, even eccentric.

One must acknowledge that there has been a marked increase in diagnosis of autism disorders in the last 20 years, and professionals preach that it is ‘quite a serious disorder and has a huge impact on people’s lives’. The human condition has always been around but now we have got a ‘label’ to describe a pattern of abilities for inclusion under the umbrella. Diagnosis brings funding, lots of funding. 31% of National Disability Insurance Scheme participants have a primary autism diagnosis and an additional 5% of participants have autism as a secondary disability.  

Have you heard about the mother who upon hearing her daughters diagnosis of Asperger’s recognised that her mother, grandma, had the same human condition. Really? Grandma, was a woman who got married, had children, ran a house, and went through her life without a clue that there was a reason behind the perceived stress she endured in her everyday life. At least grandma, had an explanatory label according to her now well informed daughter. The one in the middle of these two abnormal people described her own childhood as “hellish”, remembering grandma as an embarrassing oddball who seemed incredibly selfish. Apparently Grandma was prone to detailed talks about her special interests, without realising absolutely no one was ever interested. Other traits included obsessive hoarding of old magazines and bus tickets.

I propose grandma would have been resistant to any suggestion that there was a problem within herself and would deny the gift of the unasked for unhelpful label.

When someone says, ‘That guy was kind of Asperger’s-y’. translation equals: different to me and not sensitive to my needs, he views the world in a non-traditional way.

It has been said that historical figures including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Thomas Jefferson, Sir Isaacs Newton, have all shown symptoms of Asperger’s.

Modern confirmed Aspie people include Steven Spielberg, Susan Boyle, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Stephen Fry, Dan Ackroyd, Temple Grandin, and Greta Thunberg.

Some say Asperger’s is a medical problem, not a behavioural problem; the brains of children with Asperger’s are said to be wired differently. Some call Autism and its cousin Asperger’s syndrome ‘The geek’ or ‘The nerd’ syndrome as it has surged among children of the Silicon Valley.

People with Asperger’s syndrome usually have average to very high IQ’s, while 70 percent of those with other autistic disorders are said to suffer from mild to severe mental retardation.

I find it fascinating to read some statements made by people who have had a diagnoses of being ‘on’ the autism spectrum. A location said to find ‘unusual behaviours’ that seem to fit perfectly into the mainstream of life for many without such a diagnosis.

One such example is a 10 year old boy who has said “Asperger’s is my ‘problem’ and I often wish I didn’t have it” or “If they just gave me a chance, they would see that I am really very interesting, and I know a lot of interesting stuff.” “I just don’t know how to ask to be included, so I’m waiting for an invitation.” “I like my shirts and pants hung by similar colours so I can find the ones I want to wear.” “My desk is neat so I can find things quickly.” “I’m happiest when I know what’s going to happen next.” “I like to know the rules and follow them.” “My voice gets very quiet, loud, or squeaky when I’m nervous.” “Sometimes squeezing my mom real tight helps me to feel comfortable and safe.” “Sometimes I concentrate so hard on what I’m doing that I don’t even know someone is talking to me. You might have to tap my shoulder.”

Sounds pretty normal behaviour to me. Of course there are always extremes.

His grandmother, a professional in the field, explained; “Diagnosing a child with Asperger’s can be difficult because there is no medical test, like a blood test. All children should be screened for developmental delays during regular well-baby visits, specifically at 18 and 24 months. Youngsters with a sibling or another family member with Asperger’s are usually at a higher risk, and boys are at a higher risk than girls. The younger a child is diagnosed, the sooner he can get the necessary help to be successful.”

Examine, tick box, ask the leading questions, look and thee will find… Having a bulky belly does not mean you are pregnant even though your belly looks like a pregnant belly.

Head spinning thoughts, “Would people like me if they just knew me and did not know I had a diagnosis of autism?” “How would I feel about life if everything I did was not measured to a behavioural chart or discussed with teachers or my therapist?” “If you didn’t pester me so much maybe I would join into things you include me in because you think it is good for me.” “I know you’ve been talking about me when I enter the room, and everyone stops talking.” “Oh! No! I’ve seen that look before… now come the questions. Best to just shut up I think and hide in my room.” “Starting university is a big step for everyone, but for me it was a little more daunting as I have Asperger’s syndrome”.

If a person says they have dyslexia an image comes straight to mind – difficulty in reading. If someone has autism images come straight to mind – out of control. Poor thing. What a horrific life for the family.

Autism or Asperger’s are an identity as much as a diagnosis. Some people like to know what tribe they fit into. Equally some people do not.

When there is a money pot at the end of the rainbow, over diagnosis, and misdiagnosis are driven mainly by economic and social priorities rather than medical ones. Often the case study child is suffering with childhood. Nothing more, nothing less.

Michael Carley, the head of grasp, has written a book titled The Last Memoir of Asperger’s Syndrome. “I think I would say, if the term Asperger’s helps you describe yourself and gives you community, use it,”.

Take self-action to feel included. Right?

Asperger’s syndrome, a major player in the autistic spectrum playground, is not a lifelong disability but the style can affect people in many different ways moving through their life journey. The pressure to be the same as friends or cohorts can be overwhelming for anyone. Many people put on a brave face at work and then go home and kick the dog, meaning they might have a “meltdown” when they arrive home, where they feel safe to relax and release the feelings that they have been squashing down all day. This is normal in life.

A short while ago, a 21 year old I have known his whole life took himself out of this cruel world. The official terminology is ‘he committed suicide’. A young man who knew and understood family love. A young man who knew and understood family and financial security. A young man who knew and understood he was different to others. A person who was accepted in the Aspie and video gaming community. A young boy who grew into a young man who just wanted to be liked for the boy he was and the man he attempted to grow into. Then he decided that maybe if he was a female he would finally be happy in this world. He transitioned. This did not work either.

A young man who was attempting to escape the labels and the expectation those labels placed on him to live in ‘The normal world’ as opposed to his normal world.

The social model of disability excluded him from living a normal life of his own making in an inclusive world.

This handsome, gifted, talented, highly intelligent yet troubled young man labelled at a young age as a boy ‘on the spectrum’, ‘autistic’, ‘an Aspie’. He was a boy who wrote eloquently about love and pain, and he created video games that have been played by more than 60 million people around the world.

Leaving his physical body behind his spirit now soars. He no longer has a social label. He is now liberated. He is dead… leaving a gaping hole in the heart and life of those who loved him deeply… those he left behind.

Society has to cleans itself from creating labels activists who continually are scrumming for government funding. Society needs to start to accept the differences in people and relish what the abnormal gives us in understanding normal human behaviour in their daily life.