Autism & ADHD de-diagnosis

[cooljethro]

Autism and ADHD de-diagnosing services could be rolled out in Sweden—should the US and UK follow suit?

Swedish authorities are considering requests for “de-diagnosis services” for autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from a new patient group: adults who no longer want their diagnosis.

The proposals come against the backdrop of an ongoing study on around 100 patients, all of whom joined the trial with the hope of getting their diagnostic labels removed. It could see de-diagnosis services rolled out in several of Sweden’s clinics in a matter of months, the study authors told The BMJ.

This seems to be a thing in Sweden at the moment and the US and UK may follow?

I have heard of people resenting their diagnosis of autism or ADHD/or both, as they feel it is no longer relevant or useful for them and can put up barriers to things like obtaining a driving license without a doctor's note.

I personally am happy with my diagnosis of autism (and incidentally, ADHD also) - so this isn't a thread based on my personal preference in that regard.

What do people think of this?

 

[Azeth]

Honestly. I think alot of it is a victum mentality problem. Not a diagnosis problem. And the whole "de-diagnosing" thing is just silly and encouraging the laziness of people not wanting to actually put the extra effort into life.

I don't doubt there are some NT implications to this, due to the rediculious 'disability' claims. That can make "de-diagnosing" people look like a attractive option. But at this point. It's like complaining that you dislike your diagnoses of X condition and therefore want to be 'de-diagnosed' for it. Despite there being a good reason for being diagnosed with the condition in the first place.

 

[cooljethro]

Why would people who want a de-diagnosis have a victim mentality? Surely it must be something closer to the opposite of that, in that they don't want a label that drags them down because they feel more capable than the label they have been given?

The psychologist Sebastian Lundström, one of the study’s researchers, told The BMJ that his work on this new patient group was prompted by “the sheer number of people with these diagnoses who now are turning into adult age and being told that they can’t join the military services [or] the draft.”

Historically, Swedish citizens with an ADHD or autism diagnosis have been barred from joining the military or working as train drivers without a specific doctor’s note. They must also provide a medical certificate when applying for a driving licence.

If people are being held back by a diagnosis in some way and they don't need a diagnosis to apply for various support services - I personally don't see why such people shouldn't be allowed to de-diagnose.

I don't doubt there are some NT implications to this, due to the rediculious 'disability' claims.

Do you mean NTs label autism as a disability and therefore there is a stigma attached to an autism diagnosis for a person?

 

[vergil96]

I'm curious how that would work in coutries that don't have a uniform medical system. Does one provide the de-diagnosis to the employer or school? Or their healthcare providers? Without a uniform system, it doesn't seem to work, because if the reason is stigma, the same people like coworkers and doctors are still there. The stigma won't go away as long there are the same people or gossip.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I am thinking there is more to this story... but... as we all know, "autism" includes variants that are ASD-1s, 2s, and 3s. I am assuming there are folks with an ASD-1 diagnosis... perhaps diagnosed as a child... that are having roadblocks put up for them and/or having their freedoms impinged upon as adults. There are professions where their professional or governmental organizations are "weeding" out potential applicants by specific medical/psychological diagnosis... and autism may be one of many medical/psychological diagnosis where this would occur. Feeling capable and actually being capable are two different things. I went 50 years not understanding that I adapted to my disabilities without actually knowing I had disabilities... until I went into the testing lab and found out I couldn't even begin to do some specific things... my reaction times were way too slow to even complete a single challenge in one testing session... and in another two, my brain totally locked up like it was some sort psychological trickery. I was stunned! I can do anything! Nope... I was wrong.

I do well in healthcare where I can use my intellect. I have adapted by having a strong sense of emotional control in high-stress situations. Great! However, I am NOT going to be an airline pilot, train engineer, police officer, firefighter, soldier, or any other job that requires very quick thinking and reaction times... and high degrees of responsibility... and/or can read people's intentions.

As we all know, everyone's autism has it's own flavor, so a one size fits all roadblock seems discriminatory... and maybe it is... I don't know. There are specific jobs and responsibilities that require a specific skillset and psychological profile. For those that are in that situation, and are capable despite the earlier diagnosis, must then jump through the hoops, as it were to obtain a doctor's note of exception and/or demonstrate that the diagnosis no longer applies to them. I don't think this is unreasonable.

 

[Hazel_1914]

Given the struggles people have with employment on the spectrum any little bit helps. If higher functioning folks in the ASD1 population benefit from not having paperwork following them around, so much the better.

I never answer those questions on job applications.

 

[thejuice]

I didn't think of the consequences of a diagnosis at all. It didnt occur to me at the time why they asked if I wanted the diagnosis.