Reconsidering the Autism Spectrum | Ronit Molko | TEDxSedona

Ronit takes a critical look at autism and the autism services industry and identifies opportunities for the advancement of services and business. Dr Ronit Molko is a dynamic senior executive and entrepreneur recognized for combining strategic vision and technical expertise to drive business initiatives. In 2001, Dr. Molko cofounded Autism Spectrum Therapies Inc. (AST) in California, which grew into a highly respected, multi-state provider of services for individuals on the autism spectrum. In 2014, she sold her company to Learn It Systems, a private equity backed strategic buyer, and served as President of Autism Services for the combined family of companies until early 2016.
Today, as CEO and Principal of Empowering Synergy, Dr. Molko conducts due diligence for investors and consults as an expert in the field of service delivery for healthcare, with a special focus on behavioral healthcare and companies that provide services to families affected by autism and developmental disabilities.
In 2018, she released her latest work, “Autism Matters: Empowering Investors, Providers and the Autism Community to Advance Autism Services” published by ForbesBooks in which she takes a critical look at the autism services industry and identifies opportunities for advancement of services and business.
A graduate of Harvard Business School’s three-year Owner/President Management program, Dr. Molko holds a Ph.D. in Applied Behavioral Science and Family Life from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in Psychology from Claremont Graduate University. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in both California and Washington, and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.
Dr. Molko is currently a board member of the Galt Foundation, which places individuals with disabilities in the workforce, and the Los Angeles Chapter of the Autism Society of America. She has been actively involved in many healthcare-based committees and organizations throughout her career and has received multiple awards in recognition of her business prowess and leadership abilities. Most recently, she was recognized with a 2017 Woman of Influence Award by the Los Angeles Business Journal. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@rfishrfish4242]

I can mimic so called normal people, but that doesn't mean my Autism is gone, it just means it's NO longer your problem.....

[@luv2sing172]

AMEN PREACH !

[@wandah9468]

Sure wish I had that line awhile back.

[@WhiteDoveSam]

Which *unfortunately* appears to be the way most in society *prefer* it to be (particularly in the public school system). They'll simply label the outward symptoms "problematic behavior" (such as "attention seeking") essentially blaming either the person who is on the autism spectrum or their parent(s), hence passing on the responsibility for assisting & supporting children with autism on to anyone but themselves.

[@wandah9468]

@@WhiteDoveSam Ah shoot!! Are we back at the narcissism channels? Gaslighting! Victim blaming! Great comment, I've gone full circle now! Back to "Surviving narcissism with Dr. C!" Thank you white dove!🤗

[@filipeflower]

@@WhiteDoveSam What's your point?

[@myworldautistic670]

It's not a growing population of young adults. What about those of us who are invisibly Autistic and have been struggling and trying to survive for decades, in my case over a half a century, with no help or recognition ever in our lives?

[@myworldautistic670]

@Syd Barger A non Autistic person is an allistic person

[@myworldautistic670]

@Syd Barger Why are you asking? Just curious

[@myworldautistic670]

@Syd Barger No offense taken at all. And you are absolutely right. I asked why you asked because too many people in my life or that I meet who know nothing about ASD, seem to think it's their right to challenge my whole existence as an Autistic person. But yes, I had an official diagnosis done by an extremely qualified diagnostician who happens to be the head of the department of neuropsychology in his facility. The diagnosis was thorough, it took nine hours. It didn't need to because I am so obvious that he knew from the first moment he saw me, as did the person who first told me I was Autistic, but we did the full battery of tests just for legal compliance. In fact, four of the six categories in the GARS section of the testing actually have me off the charts in severity level for ASD. I am also in close communication with Dr. Tony Attwood in Australia who can also confirm the diagnosis.

[@myworldautistic670]

@Syd Barger I am wondering what relevance the circumstances of my diagnosis have on this particular conversation. I am trying to understand.

[@rkgomes3875]

Yes! Newly diagnosed at 42 here!

[@delilahhart4398]

When she began telling us Connor's story, I thought she was going to tell us he had been killed. It's a good thing his caregiver was there to intervene.

[@wolf1066]

So did I, and I'm glad that he was not killed. Still, Connor did not need that to happen to him. That cop should have been charged with assault. Funny how police in the USA get _special training_ in "Killology" but not in understanding neurodiversity.

[@amphibeingmcshpongletron5026]

"The police officer was a trained drug recognition expert" Uh...if he couldn't tell the difference between common autistic stimming and someone on drugs, idk if he should be holding the title of "expert". EITHER WAY, the fact that he felt that the behavior Connor was displaying was somehow a threat or worthy of intervention is sad. If he'd just been someone high on drugs doing something repetitive with their hands, that still shouldn't warrant the force he used. I genuinely think I'm more qualified as a "drug recognition expert". I've actually had personal experience with many drugs and people using them. They're a special interest of mine. I have a knack for knowing what drugs people are on and whether or not their behavior could actually be potentially threatening to others or themselves. I'm also good at de-escalation tactics which work better than force 99% of the time when it comes to intoxicated people or people with mental health issues. I'm also on the spectrum and have a very easy time telling when someone else is. Thing is, I'd never want to be a police officer. I think we need to split up what we know as the police. They're doing too many different jobs at once to be very good at all of them. Police officers should be concentrated on enforcing the law. I think we need another branch of "Public Safety officers" who look after the well being of people and intervene in situations involving mental health issues and people who are in trouble. Often times police are the first to deal with the mentally ill or someone with a medical condition having some sort of episode. We don't need the first person who shows up to a public disturbance involving something like an autistic meltdown or a bipolar/psychotic episode to have a gun and steeped in the mindset that they're looking out for criminal activity.

[@leroyc5289]

this connects so much with me, I have had horrible experiences with the police. Autism is real!

[@bethmarshall4796]

oh, I fast forwarded cuz I was too afraid.

[@IDontNeedYourShittyHandle]

I was so angry when I heard about that thing that happened to Connor. So angry.

[@laustcawz2089]

The story in "Rain Man" was inspired by a man named Kim Peek, who, at the time, was thought to be autistic. Prior to his death, he was re-evaluated & the conclusion was that he was not, in fact, autistic, but had Opitz-Kaveggia (or FG) syndrome. Various conditions, disorders &/or personalities can often be mistaken for autism (or vice-versa). For example, non-verbal "autists" may, in fact, have Apraxia. Quick, easy assumptions should be avoided (in life in general, actually).

[@mieloper1942]

Unlicensed persons need to stop trying to label others, period. It's hard enough for real psychology professionals.

[@spicygal8564]

It seems like the only information allistic people attempt to absorb about autism is all the harmful disproved symptoms meanwhile never trying to learn what autism truly is.

[@angelinasouren]

@@mieloper1942 People should stop othering. All people.

[@yvonnefederowicz8765]

The speaker makes some of the connections but misses so much that's crucial for millions of autistics... Why make the assumption that autism is increasing? Why assume that the only autistic adults out here are the ones diagnosed as kids, transitioning into adulthood with parents etc.? Why not realize that one in 45 adults of all ages are autistic, that many parents of autistic kids are autistic and only realize it when their kids are diagnosed? Why not also talk about all the older autistics who are having to realize that we are autistic at all sorts of ages, struggle to pay for the diagnoses, then face a total lack of appropriate services? Why not consider the Social Model of Disability, and consider that the LA Traffic that disabled Russell, is not a healthy environmental setup for anyone... Humans hardly evolved in such situations! Sensory sensitivities are highly advantageous in some situations, the modern world still includes many of these.

[@caledoniabeautifuleden8584]

As an autistic parent, of two amazing autistic kids I totally agree. I haven’t even bothered seeking a diagnosis from the NHS (I live in Scotland), as an autistic woman, the DSM-5 is not equipped to recognise the presentation of autism in women. Likewise, I have an autistic daughter, who is in the process of accessing support/ services for anxiety, when in reality she is autistic and the DSM is completely engineered around the presentation of autism in boys. Meaning autistic girls and women are not getting the right diagnosis, often being diagnosed with various mental health conditions and therefore not able to understand why they are the way they are, let alone access services. I can’t imagine that men with autism are finding the diagnosis process easy either- given that the DSM is engineered around the presentation of autism in boys- not men. My son was able to access a diagnosis very quickly, within an hour in consultation with a psychologist we were told our son was autistic - he was 6. Our daughter is 10 and only now getting recognition for her social and emotional difficulties. Ideally we need a massive change in how autism is understood, how it presents at all ages, stages and in different genders. This needs to be in collaboration with the autistic community- I would love to see autistic adults involved in the diagnosis of other members of the autistic community. Having the Autistic community guiding the diagnosis process, the support networks and any courses on autism -that are there to educate parents, partners, caregivers, teachers, medical professionals, police officers and employers, would be life changing for everyone in the autistic community! There are amazing members of the autistic community who seek to educate and support families - for example The girl with the curly hair. But until the medical professionals seek to understand autism and how it presents in any gender, at all ages and across the spectrum, we are going to continue to have injustices like the speaker described at the start. I truly hope that the police officer who assaulted a vulnerable young man, who did nothing wrong- was hauled before a disciplinary committee - at the very least, I hope that he was forced to take part in training to recognise autism! The thought that this could happen to my son or daughter terrifies me!

[@vasvism]

I think her point was that the prevalence of autism is increasing because the general understanding of autism is increasing. I think her point was to change the classic way of how therapist used to treat kids, because the general idea was that autism in kids could be cured. It can't be "cured" (and it's a ridiculous notion that needs to disappear). ' I think she could another ted talk about adults, but in this one she is focussing on kids becoming adults and how to change therapy?

[@jvance6]

I agree with you. Most parents of Autistic kids are Autistic themselves or have family members who are likely on the spectrum (based on anecdotal conversations with other parents). My son was diagnosed with mild/moderate Autism. Both my husband and myself have family members who were likely undiagnosed. Also both of us have some Autistic like traits though neither of us are on the Spectrum, but both have ADHD.

[@Eccentric_Villain]

Yvonne Federowicz It was only after all three of my kiddies were diagnosed that I finally decided to get tested (which finding a doctor in isolated Western Australia, who knows how women present. A near impossibility) it was only after a Clinical Psychologist literally had to come out retirement (due to demand) I finally got the diagnosis.

[@wolf1066]

I fully agree. So many people out there are unaware that they are on the spectrum and may never suspect it unless they have kids that are diagnosed as autistic or they meet a diagnosed autistic person that has similar-enough traits to them that they resonate. *People* aren't disabled, situations and environments _disable_ *them* - outside of those situations and environments, the people are perfectly *fine*

[@marymurphy1429]

One of the few talks made by someone who works with autistic people that actually made valid and important points. Thank you for listen to our wants, needs, and concerns

[@cinvinmendo]

Thank you for this talk. I am a professional who works with autistic individuals, as well as being a self-identified neurodivergent, and mother of a daughter with autism and ADHD. I appreciated your easily laid out clinical information which is so often missed or not explained. So much of what you say I agree with, and in fact there's a lot of crossover from my own TEDx talk (Neurodiversity: the new normal). I love that so many of us are saying, basically, the same thing but from multiple viewpoints. THIS is what it is going to take to make real shift. THANK YOU!

[@TheAutisticEducator]

1. We don't "have" autism. 2. "High-functioning" is a fallacy. 3. Encourage our special interests 4. Who are the "normal" ones 5. It is more like a constellation, the spectrum is a fallacy, there are no ends. 6. The diagram is a 2 D circle, 3-D would be a sphere.

[@martinlorentsen4704]

Start meditating and elsehow raise your vagal tone. Go high pace running or running while not stressing yourself. You need to keep this aerobic exercise routine for at least a few month to start recovering. Read about what exercise does to the brain. You will see that it makes the fear centers, like amygdala, to shrink and make your prefrontal cortex (the fear regulating center) and frontal cortex (executive function) to increase in size. It also raises your brain plasticity. It has to be high paced exercise to see real results and with longer than 20 minutes duration, preferably longer. Give this a few months before you quit, but the changes are guaranteed if you also raise your vagal tone and think positively to reduce fight or flight. Do not stress your self as you exercise as this will have opposite effects, but make it to an enjoyable endavour. Keep in mind that autism is a autonomic dysfunction and with it follows low blood pressure or high resting heart rate and some fatigue, which could make exersize difficult. But keep going at it and the changes will come (take some K2 vitamin to boost respiration and condition if needed. Don't overdo it). Your enhanced executive functions will speak for itself after some time. As you may have low executive function, you may not follow through and procrastinate, just be aware of this. - Also study the nemechek protocol and the polyvagal theory of Prof. Porges to get the basics. Autism could be due to trauma that imbalances the autonomic system. If you have recurrent or periodic diareah, then you have SIBO. If you have gut motility issue, you are in a state of fight or flight. If neither, then it's good news, just raise your vagal tone and exercise. Neurofeedback could potentially help. Best of wishes and see you on the other side! :D

[@MrsMelrom]

@@martinlorentsen4704 are you a quack, a chalaton or both?

[@Hyzentley]

Yes, that bothered me to (that and more). I would have hoped for an more compassionate and multi-layered look on the topic

[@icyearth]

@@martinlorentsen4704 Hey thank you for this. I noticed that I felt really good when I used to run to lose weight a couple years ago. I'm looking into the polyvagal theory currently. Also my girlfriend has bowel problems and will tell her to get checked for SIBO : )

[@AmanOU2be]

Most of this all sounds defensive. 3 is the only one that seems well guided.

[@muhammadharuna7067]

The most calming speech I ever heard about autism is this one... thank you

[@paulw4259]

'Be kind and be curious'. Thank you. That's the message I took away.

[@Duncangafney1]

It's not a disorder, we are simply different and society is very intolerant of our differences.

[@muackisaid9123]

Read the woman who changed her brain. Very informative

[@doosin8696]

It's a reorder

[@filipeflower]

@@muackisaid9123 What's that?

[@muackisaid9123]

@@filipeflower a book

[@filipeflower]

@@muackisaid9123 And?

[@Linksonic5]

12:50 - 13:24 There is a fundamental flaw in the way she is presenting her ideas. Through her speech, the implies that neurotypicals are not part of the conversation. She uses parts of speech such as "you and me" and says things such as "You do this, we do that" while entirely overlooking the fact that people with ASD are, in fact, present and part of the audience. This is why I don't like being spoken for by people who don't have proper experience.

[@eliotj]

I know that she made some mistakes, but I do think she has a clear target audience for her speech. She's intentionally trying to educate individuals who aren't autistic and challenge their thinking about the "spectrum." I don't think she is trying to lecture autistic people about their own autism.

[@cheyennepetersen3417]

I noticed that too. Like I'm watching this video, there is no "you and I" here lol, I'm your subject

[@chaoticgiraffe]

See also her references to "the autism industry". Sickening monetisation of a condition(s). This is Peak Capitalism

[@vasvism]

the change in audio quality had me reeling >_>

[@eirlys7266]

It made me wonder if it was dubbed over and I had to watch her mouth move.

[@Eccentric_Villain]

vasvi likewise, as an Autistic myself the noise in the audio quality almost had me click off. Headphones are a no go watching with Audio noise.

[@jennys9043]

i think she did a voice over for the second half. maybe the mic cut out in the live recording or something

[@pauline9580]

I am 47 years old,when I was younger I would rub a piece of blue tac between my fingers when I was anxious,stressed,poorly (I still do it today) now it has a name Stimming.....so happy that the younger generations of Autistics have a much better understanding.

[@theshrike5585]

i am autistic but im thankful enough to know that i'm not affected to badly by my autism

[@krugerfuchs]

Difference not disorder

[@davidspencer1558]

Love the speaker 💖 service to those who needs it. I will do my best to follow her example.

[@Law_And_Society]

We can't really be made normal. It's torturous to think anyone can.

[@sarahjr999]

17 minutes and I did not hear a single example of a female with autism. Did I miss it? I don't think I did. In which case this talk is just perpetuating the idea that autism doesn't really affect women and that's unhelpful bordering on dangerous.

[@chrissame]

Exactly.

[@drzeworyj]

@Dao Way the problem is that the narrative is dominated by an autistic men stereotype. I by no means make it less valid, but then you have the fallacies that autistic girls and women don't exist, and a great subestimation and misinformation is the result

[@jamielikestrees3202]

As an autistic woman a cop is the last person I would go to for help.

[@kympilkington304]

Thank you for your soul x

[@TheListener01]

This really makes me wonder what if anything happened to the police officer or what I want a call and see often is just a grown bully demonstrating his power! I see so many cops just acting like bullies and not the justice/peace keepers they should be trying to achieve.

[@greogebrewer9643]

disarm the police and take there power to use deathly force would solve the problem.

[@beckacheckaenterprises7294]

And when you’re like me ‘called high functioning’ (am diagnosed level2 now), you end up at least a level 2 for not having been diagnosed and feel like level3 bcos you’re NOT coping and NOT MANAGING AT ALL 😔

[@edwingiles5228]

where are peop;e like her now, to help people who never got the help she is talking about.

[@DLKUNATHIII]

I have always thought that i was a broken person, the only thing that is broken is society

[@allcalmsoothing9443]

Hi, I have autism, knew I was different from a young age, but fully realized I had autism later in life and through that believe it or not, have solved or completed the theory Albert Einstein was looking for - The theory of everything, in a philosophical way, after my book was rejected everywhere I have put it up on my channel. Thank you.

[@luv2sing172]

ADD is now a part of the ADHD spectrum like aspergers and autism now it’s just ADHD and Autism which I have both I like this video Thankyou for sharing

[@komaedakat1583]

PREACHHHHH ive been saying this for years now, that instead of just making autistic people adapt to their environment and change their behaviors, the general public also needs to be able to tell what autism is and its struggles and just learn more about it. There are so many resources for children, but barely any for adults. YESSS autism special interests aren't something to deviate from, but instead normalize. Neurotypical people arent even aware of our struggles because to them things we struggle with seems so natural, like eye contact and socializing.

[@tendayimoyo8993]

Awesome

[@kly1994]

Who did they have edit this video? so choppy. seems like someone just took a VHS or cassette, cut out portions, and taped it back together.

[@craolta]

It's not that bad man...

[@ChristinaHerrera]

This is the best talk Ive watched on Autism. Thank you!

[@angonsframes]

me too yeah

[@SB-uw3fe]

Police need increased funding for additional training and resources to handle calls dealing with mental illness and disabilities.

[@wolf1066]

Instead, they get increased funding for military-grade vehicles, weapons and body armour and courses on "Killology" run by a money-grubbing waste of oxygen and get constantly told they're involved in "wars" - war on crime, war on drugs etc. Keep dressing them up like soldiers and sending them off to "war", small wonder they think everyone's a criminal or drug addict and act like thugs in response. Hope that cop got charged with assault for what he did to Connor - somehow I doubt it, though. BTW. Autism is neither a mental illness nor a disability.

[@Catlily5]

@@wolf1066 Autism may not technically be a disability but it can be disabiling for many people.

[@wolf1066]

@@Catlily5 What is _disabling_ is the expectation by neurotypicals that we function like neurotypicals in systems set up by and *for* neurotypicals. Connor, the case in question, is not someone in need of constant care and attention due to severe deficits in executive function etc, he's clearly someone who can go about his own life and should be able to do so without some over-militarised thug going into full Rambo mode. Connor's stimming isn't a disability or a problem. It's the cop's ignorance and over-the-top reaction that caused a problem. If I got pounced on by some over-aggressive uniformed fascist because I was sitting somewhere twitching my legs or tapping my fingers together, I wouldn't be putting the blame on my autism or cursing my "disability".

[@Catlily5]

@@wolf1066 Obviously the cop was out of line. That needs to change. The cops once pointed guns at me, luckily I could follow their orders so they didn't kill me. That was before my city got CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) police who generally do a better job dealing with people who aren't behaving typically.

[@wolf1066]

@@Catlily5 Did you have a weapon? Or look like you had a weapon? Or did someone report that you had a weapon? Or it was reasonable to assume you had a weapon? If not, then the cops have no justification to think lethal force is warranted, so why did they draw their weapons? Answer: because they're not "police", they're walking bacon. They're nothing but armed thugs whose first impulse is to threaten people with maiming or death.

[@docker31c]

10:54 why is that cut there

[@Empoweredwoman1234]

I actually prefer to listen to the people who have autism themselves, especially the ones who cope with their issues. While I think more support is needed, I also think it’s a give and take situation. Until now, all I’ve ever heard are stories about the very worst cases, who give autism a bad name. When working in the care sector, caters were assaulted by autistic people in group homes, and were blamed by management. One person attempted to drown a 6 yo girl at a public pool with her Dad watching the whole thing. What’s worse, is that caters in Australia have no right to self defence as long as the assailant has an intellectual disability or autism. It’s not legislated, but appears to be mandated by social workers and care managers. All people must be held accountable for certain behaviours, regardless of disability. Neurodiversity is great, but boundaries must be in place.

[@keyraeversole3356]

does anyone know what that beginning tone from the beginning of the video was? !?

[@JustHowItIs]

Yep, that's what my college usually does to me. I have ASD.

[@angonsframes]

i can help u in this..

[@learningtolivewithhumans1859]

its good to see people standing up for us but right now it does nothing and people are so horrible to autistic adults its all about the kids!!!

[@nitefox4411]

I get tagged all the time by "police officers." They are trained to notice different behaviors...ONLY, they aren't trained to recognize a law abiding autistic vs a criminal. MOST of the time, they leave me alone. MOST of the time I get the feeling they are asking themselves the question "Is this guy for real? Is he lying to me?" MOST of the time officers recognize yes, I am for real and NO I am not breaking the law... We already know officers are lacking in training. My recommendation for autistics IS... raise and open your hands. That has worked for me when an officer ordered me to put my hands up and he reached for his gun when I reached into my jerkin poncho to fiddle with my hands where someone could not see it...only THIS time, an officer thought I might be going for a gun.

[@Catlily5]

Be sure to put your hands up if they ask. Try to do what the police say. I thought they might shoot me but that didn't happen. (I know that this won't always help but I hope it helps someone to stay alive.)

[@MohammedZiyaadHassen]

Content of this talk is excellent!!! But the video and and especially the sound quality is terrible. Especially for people with High functioning autism.

[@Rnankn]

Is human diversity compatible with meritocracy? No, it’s not. It seems many individuals covertly enjoy punishing non-conformity, non-compliance and difficulty. I assume this is because it justifies their own success or privilege as earned, rather than as luck or from nepotism. The assumption this reflects is that difference as skill or judgement deficit. When not only rewards, but also access to status and basic resources are correlated to perceptions of ‘normal’, it is medical diagnosis and medicalization that results. So if someone lives life authentically but differently two outcomes are possible. Either surfer moral judgement for divergence and subject to punishment resulting in a downward failure spiral; Or submit to official medical surveillance and ensure fitness for a diagnostic criteria of illness or damage. The third way, is just staying away from everyone.

[@babeomi]

✨ Remember! It’s not a disorder ✨ 🧚🏾‍♀️ thanks~ ♡ 🧚🏾‍♀️

[@SB-uw3fe]

Labeling levels of independence is actually very important and crucial to determining the level of care they need

[@anyaharjung3643]

No it isnt

[@jacella9375]

How much care someone needs depends on the situation and their age. Levels of independence change

[@KA-MI3]

The level of care WE need as autistic people, is defined by what we SAY. We can communicate, we don’t need a label. We need to be ASKED stuff not to be taken for granted!

[@Jessicaah1]

What do you mean by levels of independence? Or level of care? It is a spectrum, and different people have different needs. The system you are describing makes it complicated really fast.

[@roslynluyt7284]

Its actually very rude to label autistic people that way, and it has recently been removed as a way of labelling those on the spectrum. Please don't use that type of language. Rather, say something along the lines of 'he is non verbal' or 'he is verbal' or 'she doesn't like bright lights' or 'she is okay with bright lights' etc. Rather talk about how specifically autism affects that persons daily life, rather than putting that person in a category or box.

[@nikitaheredia416]

Why can’t we have a small group of people on there debating autism and the challenges it presents for adults over the age of 25years old

[@ausundvorbei1]

yesterday i have ben in strugle by 2 policemen because of the policedog who was very nice with me, but the officers pushed me away , so sad nowadays in Berlin , can not understand

[@CloudslnMyCoffee]

UGH hearing her talk about autism this way is sickening. it also explains why women are under diagnosed. she only discusses male autism

[@elamaru9355]

in ,my opinion they are far from describing a condition bcoz many things will probably be explained by the fact its a SPECTRUM and others as particularities or exceptions

[@roberttaylor2328]

I am incapable of suspension of disbelief. this is considered by concensus to be maladaptive.

[@inhizownimij]

Why on earth are you opening with this type of music? It is so disturbing that I can’t even stay for the video.

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

As far as I know high functioning is not an official term used in the medical field regarding autism (a.s.d.) due to it implying that everything is ok. YMMV.

[@christopher-cameronmott1568]

Did you know infact there is sound therapy to relieve mild symptoms of autism and other cognitive ailments? (Autism binaural beats/isochronic tones)

[@Heyiya-if]

Did you know that in fact being autistic is not 'an ailment'.

[@wolf1066]

@@Heyiya-if I doubt he does.

[@andrewlutes2048]

The most confusing thing is society condones some illegal and unethical behavior, but prosecutes other illegal and unethical behavior and there is no rational distinction. That’s a problem that cooperating with “social norms” facilitates.

[@bassdvant]

I hope they sue the pants off that police dept!!!

[@lainedx]

15:58 this industry is very attractive to investors?!?! This video is terrible and wrong, it just perpetrates the stereotypes on autistic people and the stigma that comes with it. Even worse, the person talking is a caregiver, one of the people that "makes money" with autism. Autism is rising in numbers because more and more people get diagnosed or make "autistic outing", drop the mask and say that they are autistic. Something impossible a few decades ago since if you said "I am autistic" they would throw you into an asylum. No autistic person with half a brain would do that, that is why most of the diagnosed autistic are also intellectual impaired.

[@JohnSmith-gt1wv]

The person coughing is doing it intentionally

[@JohnSmith-gt1wv]

Classical conditioning to negative stimuli

[@user-ev9sw4ee8j]

Dr Oyalo herbs is really helpful, and have helped my son improve with his speech and social skill complete. My son now responds to name, his aggressive behavior has stoped completely

[@lovelyswimmer1]

Holy monkies Batman, these numbers!

[@JoyFay]

That’s how five police officers killed Elijah McClain

[@marienewcomb2349]

Omfg please stop using functioning labels

[@judithharding2045]

Conner is alive because he's white.

[@zinamansour7981]

Azizajalel

[@ohthemadam8290]

2 views

[@reflectiononthesea9153]

So you work in the Autism "Industry" - never a truer word.. What about some thought about why we have so many autistic people.. Almost unknown decades ago.. I don't want this "industry" - I want it stopped!

[@danh8841]

So true!

[@avalyn28]

Decades ago, we just didn't have the diagnostic tools to identify all people on the spectrum. Even today, a lot of people are overlooked (especially women) because they are able to mask their symptoms. Why do you want it stopped? What gives you the right to say you don't want autistic people to exist?

[@kimberlycoulter8365]

It was not unknown. Mental health treatment itself is a very new concept, but the traits of autism have been common knowledge throughout human history. Have you ever read a Sherlock Holmes story? Obviously the author and his community of readers were very familiar with this personality type.

[@Hyzentley]

Yeah, that also was how she came across. There is a reason many autistic people like me learn fastly to never trust somebody who claims to know us because one of their family members is autistic or because they are working with autistic people - they still think of us as tragedies and burdens and to be cured, and this woman was an good example for this. Hoped this would be an good, well informed video about autism, not just perpetuating cliches.

[@Dancestar1981]

We’ve always been here just more diagnosis picking up those out there, however women are under diagnosed and misdiagnosed regularly

[@soccom8341576]

Police violence...

[@kittykatt6740]

Very male dominant, male only traits.

[@nappybiscuit]

Is it possible Trump has Autism? People say that the man you see in public is also the same man you see in private. (Do you not talk to your parents differently than you do with your friends?)

[@ruthlehmann1037]

Trump has ADHD as is recognized by his using and overusing the prescribed drug, Ritalin. He is known s the Ritalin President.

[@martinlorentsen4704]

Critic: Understanding autism at the brain level with neurology is key in solving and recovering these children, not by understanding their kind and behavior. Describing something as lifelong in the light of what we know we already have been wrong about (the inability of the brain to repair itself, brain plasticity, etc) is to with ease and on behalf of the autistic children accept defeat, and disarm everybody else around you! Eventually autism will be prevented and cured as time will show, and like in the past these thaughts will be proven wrong. There is a mechanism behind every observable. - I introduce to you the polyvagal theory. It is a mainstream science now, within neurology of the autonomic nervous system. It explains the underlying mechanisms of autism through understanding trauma impact. For autism, the cause could be trauma or brain damage to the autonomic function. All comorbid conditions and disorders in parents and siblings of autistic children is explained through this, except a few, like epilepsy which seems to be more bacterial now. I don't know the presenter, but she sounds like a psychologist. These people describe what they see and rasionalize on these findings and then try to shape your behavior and perception around it and form you into a new you that can better cope with your desiease or that of your loved ones. This may have its application since it promotes tolerance and understanding. But psykology has been evaluated and deemed worthless as a science since the 30's. Latest in 2016 where they failed a test of science through replication studies over two years. 64% of thir most sitet papers did not reproduce to any level, those that did had in average 50% of reported strength in significance. Psykology is further found to be the most corrupt science. Don't fall for it. It's an idea only.

[@bowgart6719]

Wtf

[@doyouhearthepeoplesing2]

We have an escapee from the nut house here 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@manlyadvice1789]

There are scientific ways of approaching psychology, even though hardly anyone uses them. Sociology is the one that was always a complete scam from the ground up.

[@Dancestar1981]

It’s a neurological wiring difference it cannot be cured or prevented and we have existed throughout history. All the great medical, science, art and tech advances occurred because of us

[@Jessicaah1]

autism can't be cured. there is no cure, what some people mean by "cure" is "eugenics". plasticity in the brain only goes so far. you are talking about modifying our brains and making experiments on us. we dont need a cure - we need accomodation.