I have posted this comment on this blog this morning in response to a comment made by a father of a daughter with autism, and with another who is suspected of having ADHD.
Most comments on this blog are published quite quickly and require little response from me. This one was an exception, triggering a whole series of thoughts that I think are worth sharing more widely, which is why I have shared them here.
Hi Chris,
My apologies for taking time to get to your comment, but some comments demand that I take time to think about the right thing to say, and how I consider the subject, and yours was one of those.
You touch on a great many issues of concern to me.
Firstly, I am glad that your daughter has a diagnosis. I am aware of some of the complications around the issue, most especially if the state is being relied on, and what the alternative costs are.
You and I also appreciate some of the complexity around the process of diagnosis (or discovery, as I think many prefer to call it, because it is questionable as to whether this is a medical condition), but at the same time, do you think that more consideration should be given to self-diagnosis? I have little doubt that many of those who have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other neurodivergent conditions are aware, in the majority of cases, that they are “different“ from a very young age. Just as I discovered that our younger son was left-handed within hours of his birth, because it was his left thumb that went into his mouth, so many of the characteristics of these conditions do become apparent when children are quite young. By the time children reach secondary school age, I imagine that any process needs to put powerful weight on the child's own perceptions, if, of course, they are able to offer them, and I am aware that some are not.
What I thought to be my first real experience with an autistic child came when I was in the sixth form, and volunteered at a special school, one afternoon a week, as a way of getting out of playing rugby. I remember being asked to work with a girl aged seven or eight. I suspect that she was considered a good person for a young volunteer to work with, because she was undemanding in some ways, looked completely normal, but was totally unable to verbally communicate, and yet her joy when taking part in repetitive gameplay, and most especially being pushed on a swing, was very obvious, and rewarding if you were a 17-year-old wishing to think that you might be doing something useful with your afternoon. I remember thinking, even then, how hard it must have been for her to be locked in without being able to communicate clearly what she wanted. Although the vast majority of people with autism are not in that situation, I've never forgotten the fact that communication is profoundly difficult for many people, and regrettably, much of what our government does is only making that more difficult, with bigger barriers to achieving this goal being created all too often, including preventing much face-to-face human interaction that is, with a little sensitivity, able to interpret what a person is trying to communicate in a way that an online form never will.
I also think that there is a particularly important issue considering late diagnosis of these conditions, which Chris Packham highlighted in his programme earlier this week. This is a real issue, especially with regard to women, where so many went undiagnosed because it was simply not accepted that girls could be autistic for a very long time, and they successfully learned to mask their condition, but then had to live with all the consequences of not having the help and recognition (the latter very often being the most important thing) that they needed.
A number of thoughts occur to me as a consequence.
The first is a very strong suspicion that the neoliberal political system is deeply antagonistic to neurodivergence. The closer that we all are to being little round pegs that can be put into little round holes, where we can be kept happy with bread and circuses, the happier our masters are. The last thing that they want is anyone who does not think in a standard way, most especially if they use that ability to challenge the neoliberal status quo, which is set up as the great goal of economic policy. I seriously wonder whether this is the reason why it is made so hard to secure a diagnosis, and why that process is so dramatically under-resourced.
There is, of course, the possibility that diagnosis is also under-resourced to reduce the amount that schools, and so local authorities or other funding agencies, have to spend on SEND issues. The first speciality that I took on when becoming a school governor around 40 years ago was SEN (the D was not in the mix at that time), and I have retained my interest ever since. I profoundly regret the fact that the government does not take such education seriously.
There is also a possibility that the limited resources provided for the diagnosis or discovery of neurodivergence is deliberate, with the intention of implying that this is so rare that only limited resources need to be provided. If neoliberalism wants to imply that the neurotypical mind is not just normal, but is what is desirable, and I think that is the case, then those promoting that ideology are bound to want to understate the number of those who might be neurodivergent. It is in their interest to pretend that this non-typicality is so rare that those who are neurodivergent can be treated as being exceptional, meaning that their positions need not be considered. I would prefer not to think that this is their aim, but I also think it is likely that it is, even if estimates suggest that at least one in seven people in our society might be neurodivergent in some way.
Finally, with regard to this series of thoughts, it is important to note that neurodiverse thought is a very obvious challenge to neoliberalism. Neoliberal philosophy is perverse, and even paradoxical, in promoting the idea that competition can provide all required answers to the best allocation of resources, and yet it has simultaneously been used to oppress all alternative schools of economic thought, at least in most universities. It is now believed that around 92% of all economists working in universities subscribe to neoliberal views, and the prospect of anyone now securing an appointment in such a department is incredibly low if they do not do so. Total monopolistic control of economic teaching is, therefore, their desire.
That means that any challenge to their rigid and unrealistic views is repugnant to them, and such a challenge is almost inevitably going to come from those who are neurodivergent because, by their very nature, neurodivergent people challenge accepted patterns of thought, and can create alternatives in a way that most neurotypical people cannot. To deny resources to the education of neurodivergent people is, then, consistent with the oppressive demands of neoliberal thinking, and so neoliberal politics, which is what all the UK‘s mainstream political parties (excepting maybe the Greens, Plaid Cymru and parts of the SNP) promote. Neurodivergence is where the challenge neoliberalism might come from, which is why neoliberals are frightened of it.
Thanks for triggering these ideas.
Richard
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Thanks for some interesting thoughts:-)
I agree that a challenge to to neoliberalism is likely to come from a high functioning autistic person. One has only to look at Chris Packham to see that this is possible. In my experience such people are highly logical, so unlikely to be taken in by neoliberal derp, highly moral, and very honest (a generalisation of course).
I learn from a senior primary teacher, who is also formerly a paediatric psychiatrist, that autism, and other neurodiversities, are grossly undiagnosed in children especially, as you say, girls. It seems likely that around 10% of people are autistic, though most are undiagnosed. This is a very substantial minority.
In schools I suspect that reason that many children are undiagnosed is a combination of underfunding and lack of knowledge. Schools are chronically underfunded with experienced teachers being pushed out (bullied out on unjustified pretexts) to be replaced by less expensive, less experienced, younger teachers. Whilst I can understand head teachers doing this, even though I definitely do not approve, it degrades the whole of education. In such a fiscally stretched environment there is a strong pressure not to diagnose neurodiversity.
The other reason autism may be under diagnosed is lack of knowledge. Autism runs strongly within families. Some families have a lot of autism; mine does. In such families it seems normal (arguably IS normal) so why would parents press for diagnosis? In other families it is rare, so they don’t see it and don’t recognise it.
But, in my experience of my two sons, diagnosis is important. It has helped them understand themselves and that it is the neurotypicals who act in crazy ways (we do) not them. Consequently their frustration and anger has dissipated. I strongly try to encourage friends who have autism themselves or who have family members with it to get a formal diagnosis, not just self diagnosis. It seems to help a lot. Conversely, a very old friend’s marriage is struggling because of undiagnosed autism. They have belatedly recognised the issue, are getting a diagnosis, and hopefully will overcome their problems.
Much to agree with
Neoliberalism focuses on individualism, making everybody responsible for their actions and outcomes. In this way, corporations are not responsible, and hence are not liable for their actions.
There has been more than one politician denying that there is something called neurodivergency, or ADHD. They cannot conceive that some people are wired differently to themselves. This is a complete lack of empathy due to their privilege.
Classic economics takes this one step further, identifying everyone as “homoeconomicus”, a perfectly predictable rational being. None of us are, but that is an inconvenient truth.
Human diversity is a superpower not a problem.
Agreed
If one is well-read about Neo-liberalism then you are are aware of the authoritarian streak in it, but also its Western Christianity based remit to convert you into a believer in markets and an active consumer that can be easily profiled and enticed with targeted products based on that profile.
Conversion is the aim; accommodation is not.
Your only value in a Neo-liberal society is your consumption value, and the willingness to absentmindedly buy the SUV, fly away on your holiday, go into debt to keep up, buy your lottery ticket and bay at the victims your media tells you to persecute for pleasure. This is what a society obsessed with making money out of money looks like. People whose socialisation processes are different are not easy to exploit and are not needed apparently in such a society.
Autism is just too difficult for Neo-liberalism to deal with. What Neo-liberalism wants is followers you see and as Hannah Arendt pointed out, there is always a section of our societies primed and ready to serve their purpose.
The Nazis were Neo-liberals too and based their economy on where crucible of Neo-liberalism was and still is – America’s southern ex-confederate slave states. The Nazis had problems too with people who did not achieve the common standard body politic and just killed them. To do that, they had to use words to justify it. Like Phillipson is using words now.
How many times do we see in kids programmes the story of the difficult kid who at first ostracised, then gets welcomed into society by his/her new friends eventually by having makeover with the girls or getting pissed with the lads, as if the market provided make up and booze has solved their problems overnight?
I don’t know……….Phillipson eh, what a piece of work she is. Catholic school education I see? Was it a harsh regime Bridget? Were the nuns kind? Is that where Phillipson got her shit, er I mean her ‘grit’?
It’s hard to know what to say about people like our Bridget. I’m trying to treat her like a human being here you see, because it you do not, the conclusions one can come to are quite staggering (evil, dangerous, uncaring, hard). And then one can find oneself creating excuses to dehumanise another human being and it all sort of goes to shit from there. And then you are no better than they are.
The Phillipson’s of this world are either ignorant because living in the faster lanes of personal progress means that she has no idea about other people’s lives. Or maybe that she is just like the rest of the Labour government – totally overwhelmed and intellectually inadequate to deal with anything other than to force the issue back onto people who need her help.
Because intellectual inadequacy has always been the objective of Neo-liberalism. It is Cameron’s Tories that are still calling the shots. They never actually lost. Did you know that?
My daughter asked for a diagnosis of autism and got one. I was against it because it would end up being on her medical record. I was also not convinced as she is also victim of smart phone culture at a time when the suicide rate of young girls in the U.S. and UK were going up at the same time as smart phone usage was going up. All this has just exacerbated existing mental health problems in our young people for which there has been no relief by so-called regulators. Our children if anything are over-stimulated by the world around them, their own feelings and perceptions drowned out and rudely interrupted by algorithms, for which the tech-bros will not be made accountable and the KNEW what they were doing, they knew. And they still know. I was also concerned that there was a trend in diagnoses and the markets willingness to provide it.
The big thing I see at the moment is the projection of the future into the present. That is what is driving this. In the future it seems we will need fewer people because of AI. So already many of us – and your kids too – are surplus to requirements so why bother with their problems in a caring way? I believe that people like Phillipson believe this and that is what is driving it. They are just going to roll with it. It’s sink or swim.
These mental differences are already being dealt with by pharmaceuticals – so called happy pills or other narcotics and booze, and the consumption of stuff. Neuro-diversity will be exploited, commodified by markets as a problem and organised crime but not tolerated by government. Because that means spending money for a non-money outcome or because they are too lazy to monetise it.
For myself, I am certainly on the divergent side of things but never explored it deeply. Somehow though I have survived, got through and have developed coping mechanisms and strategies. I have just come to learn that I live in a world where they just want you to react and not think. When someone plants an idea or an objective in my head, my immediate response is map it out in my brain and put it together and then do it. That is what neuro-diversity means to me – networks, joined up thinking. But so often at work, its about silos, ‘just do it’. To me, it’s just chaos. The world is chaos, everyday. But for some unknown reason, it is much harder for me to apply that thinking to my own life, for my benefit and with unfortunate consequences!
But I have learnt to be comfortable with my point of view and less hard on myself, and better able to express my needs but also emphasise my contribution as I have got older.
But something more fundamental is now happening. We are – since Covid – unlearning how to work together which can only undermine neuro-diversity. We are sub-consciously letting go of work. Not only that, how the hell can a capitalist system survive without disposable incomes?
We are at a dangerous stage where we need more thinking, not less and where the creativity of neuro-divergency would make a positive impact.
PSR
Many thanks for this
I am drafting a response, that may well be another blog post, but that may not appear until tomorrow. You have got me thinking.
Richard
Well, YOU have got me thinking. And I’m sorry for a long weekend post.
This neuro-divergent issue could be a new frontier or front in the war of ideas as how to live and save the species.
Who are the neuro-divergent?
The millionaire who has raided and stolen other people’s wealth and livelihoods without a thought or the people who play by the rules because they see how it all works?
If the latter is ‘neuro-divergency’ because such people can see and feel the network effects of their actions, and are socially constrained by them then, what sort of neural label do we apply to the millionaire?
Neural deficient? Neurally constrained? I’d just call THEM anti-social, never mind some poor kid or adult who just seems to feel a bit awkward around people.
Your post got me reflecting on the fact that it is the people calling the shots who are ‘socially divergent’ , promoting socially divisive polices encompassing everything from corporate raiding to blaming immigrants for this and that.
More to come PSR….
Right now you have the wrong end of this stick
I recently took part in a survey for a philosophy that was looking into the link between interest on philosophy, neurodivertentcy and upbringing. Where do ideas come from? And why do we gravitate towards believing one philosophical idea over another. As Newton said they come from standing on giants. I am of the opinion that they don’t come from individuals but by the society that surrounds the individual. One are certainly cutting certain bits off/out of society because they are inconvenient. This is disrupting the flow of ideas. We need to stick things back together. However I am of the opinion that this won’t happen any time soon. Too many believe philosophy is pointless and all there is nature and individuals. If something bad happens then it is just a natural disaster.
When asked if he wanted to learn to drive, middle son, autistic, 16, replied that he didnt see the point as it was a very inefficient way of providing mobility & that buses and trains were much better…………
🙂
Since retiring I live in a retirement appartment and take it upon myself to offer assistance to my fellow residents, some of whom are even older than I am and, dare I say, less able both physically and mentally.
Chris says that it takes several months from a referral by a GP, but I’m afraid it’s worse than that. One resident asked to be referred to a psychologist by their GP, but was told that there is now an online self referral system. This is all vey well if you are competent with computers, which fortunately I am, but even when you do get to the referral there is a complex form to fill in. We are still waiting, two months later, for a response other than what appears to be a triage one.
Thanks.
Good work, too.
PSR’s post above is superb, a great read – and much to think about.
I have this chilling view of The future. Can you imagine a goverment forcing a pregnant couple to ask for a test to see if their child will have autism and or any form of neurological problems? And if positive, they would be nudged to terminate the pregnancy? Hell, they will proabably get AI to make the decision.
Deeplky scary, when some are massively genetically pre-conditioned to prodice sich thinking. And remember, we have eugenicists in charge.
No need to imagine very hard: it’s the reality Hans Asperger would have had under the Nazis if they’d have had genetic testing available at the time.
His distinction between what we previously knew as Asperger’s Syndrome and classical autism is now seen as largely artificial and unsupported scientifically. On the other hand, I can well imagine being able to pass under the radar of Nazi disability hatred was the main requirement to him for saving the children’s lives, vs sending them to the Am Spiegelgrund clinic to be put to death.
The man claimed to have saved many lives, but then I suppose he would do, given the reality of what happened to the children he didn’t save.
Thanks
Combined with the under resourcing of SEND provision in schools there is also the current attempt through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to make Home Education harder, which is often a last resort for parents whose children don’t fit the mould expected by schools.
[…] the second time in a couple of days, I feel it necessary to write a blog post in response to a comment that has been made here with […]
Thanks Richard!
It took me awhile to see this post (have had a busy and stressful week) and I am humbled you took the time to think and reply to my comment directly on your earlier post.
I entirely agree with most of what you say. As some other commenters have pointed out, neurodivergent people, especially autistic people are known for their bluntness and trouble with unwritten social rules. Being as they (or we, as I consider myself probably autistic too) force neurotypical people (NTs) to communicate explicitly about how to do things, and why things are being done.
While NTs often unconsciously submit to power hierarchy and don’t really question the status quo, NDs often tend to both question, and fight against what they see as injustice in power structures.
They force NTs to talk about power structures, explain them and justify them, by asking obvious and blunt questions about why things are the way they are. Whether that is questioning fairness or logic in a workplace, the legitimacy of the royal family, or economic systems, I’ve seen it all over and suspect it is a autistic set of traits – after all, our brain does work differently, and has been shown to have many more synaptic connections (perhaps helping with pattern matching and systems thinking).
Perhaps this is all a bit too “autism is a superpower”, which I don’t completely agree with, but working in tech, I see plenty of somewhat neurodiverse people who perhaps find bullshitting and sales calls extremely difficult, but can definitely find the best way to solve problems in a logical fashion and have many strengths that can be utilised in their “special interests” and the advanced posed by the ability to hyperfocus, which is also present in many people with ADHD.
On your point about self diagnosis, there’s validity in it, especially with the diagnostic system being as difficult as it is right now. Generally though, many private providers are filling the gap left by a deliberately restricted NHS diagnostic pathway. There is an uncontrollable flood of diagnosis, and this will change the way neurodivergence is thought of in the future.
I’d suggest to learn more about the numbers, the Autism Curve podcast on BBC Sounds is a great listen. It will also help with if you are a skeptic and believe that ADHD doesn’t really exist, or everyone is autistic these days. I may have mentioned it in my comment previously.
What I sometimes like to compare this situation to is the acceptance of LGBT people. Gay people are still a small minority in the population – not “everyone” is gay now, but gay culture is a huge and active part of our society, having come from what was previously described as a mental illness in the DSM (not to mention a crime). Gay people were forced underground, shamed and punished for their sexuality for many years.
There’s also a large cross section of gay people who are neurodivergent too. A good example of someone who was quite likely autistic (but definitely gay) was Alan Turing who was horribly persecuted by the state, despite literally being a war hero. I think it tells you everything you need to know really.
I hope the same process will happen to emancipate neurodivergent people, and that the ableism typical of the fascist far right won’t get in the way of what I see as a positive trend in more children being recognised and diagnosed at an earlier age, while their parents, such as me, reconsider their own mental health history in light of this new understanding.
For the most part, I have found people are compassionate and kind about my children’s problems, and teachers are well educated and knowledgable enough about neurodivergence. What is missing are decent resources for SEND provision, particularly for local authorities who are cash strapped and often at times deliberately breaking the law to avoid providing children’s needs. This is disgusting, but just reality right now unfortunately. A good source on more about that is IPSEA, which are a charity specialising in SEND law. I’d recommend their news page here on the SEND crisis, and the testimony they’ve being given to parliament about it:
https://www.ipsea.org.uk/Pages/News/
I really appreciate your reply, and have much to agree with.
Chris Gilbert – thank you wonderful post.
I have to admit, I am very uncomfortable with the any ‘Autism is a superpower.’ In itself, I know it’s a positive, empowering thing BUT you just know that at some point, the PR machine (and probably the DWP) will revert its meaning and probably claim it’s not an obstacle to employment as you can use your superpower for employers.
There is very interesting series coming soon – hitting iPLayer in June – from Adam Curtis. (he has done many great series, Century of the self etc) Called ‘Shifty’ I am assuming from the trailer it maybe attempting to look at these issues.
Agreed.
Richard, this may or may not be relevant, and I’m aware of your interest (and horror!) of the effects of ultra-processed foods/big sugar/big pharama on human health. You might be interested in an article in the current New Scientist of the effects of micro-plastics in initial testing of the brains of molluscs and mice that seem to affect behaviour and decision-making. Micro-plastics are also being detected in human brains – they get in the bloodstream via the gut and are present everywhere in our food environment. As the NS article points out, every time you loosen the plastic top on your plastic milk carton, friction releases micro-plastics into your tea! Even your toothpaste now contains microplastics when fine sand used to suffice as an abrasive. We baby-boomers might have avoided the worst effects of ingesting micro-plastics, but later generations certainly will not.
I’ll be buying bottled milk (foil topped!), and using salt for tooth-cleaning from now on.
I fear for the young.