Is this true or false

[Arcticwolf]

I always thought the core of autism is 2 things.

1. they don't like change

2. they like structure

I got told last night from someone is (cough trained ye right ))

that austic people do like change and don't like structure.

So my question here is is it true or false or is my understanding of autism not there.

[QuietButBold]

In The Health Care Context (The Medical Model):

The two "manuals" are the standard classification systems used by health care professionals to assess and diagnose autism (DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic criteria). Both reference the "core characteristics" of autism, which must be present (and must have been present throughout a person’s life) for an autism diagnosis to be made.

The core characteristics are:

1) communication and social interaction differences, and

2) restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests (often referred to by autistic people as self-soothing or self-regulating behaviours, and focused and dedicated interests), including sensory differences.

Within The Autism Community And Society (The Real World Context / The Social Model):

We are a broad community whose personal Autism may present differently to one another (which is why people talk about Autism in terms of a spectrum).

Perhaps what ought to matter more than debating over "core Autism things"; is that we should encourage all people:

- to know the particular Autistic person in their life,

- to understand what matters to / interests that Autistic person,

- how best everyone might learn to respect and support (reasonable adjustments) that person, - to ensure each Autistic person may thrive in their experience of life to the best of their abilities,

- to recognise the individual Autistic person (not their "label" ...after all, a human being is not like a parcel ...to be counted, posted, or filed!),

- how to include Autistic people (we are not merely a research study to be documented), and

- to value each Autistic person's contribution to their: Family / circle of acquaintances, neighbours and friends / place of education / where they live / where they work / where they socialise, attend community groups and have fun / where they take part in sport or exercise / where they seek medical treatment or access other community services / within Society in general.

Lobby for and advocate for; everyone respecting and supporting each other's: hopes, dreams, preferences, priorities and lifestyle choices (helping people to play to their strengths) ...please don't concentrate upon categorising people by "labels" and or according to diagnosis "manuals".

[Arcticwolf in reply to QuietButBold]

Well think is i now see people differently. Agency and support staff wearing there every day gear. It freaks the beep out of me now after an iccdedent happened which is now under police investigation. and like the mental health nurse said to me today the only way to make me feel safe and happy now is people wearing uniform so i know whos who. and not some random people who could be anyone.

[Tronsformer]

I think it depends on context and perspective ultimately as autistic we process things in different ways than neurotypical. Change is inevitable in life so we all have to face it. Any abrupt or sudden change will annoy or stress anyone out but for us it can be more stressful and take us longer to recover. If change happens at our desired pace and we’re prepared bring it on. My personal take is with mine and my family’s autism its like this, changes we don’t forsee or expect is bad so we prefer to do things predicat le and in our way. But when its planned or expected or just positive then the happy feeling stays with us longer. Perhaps from a clinical view its different and suggesting change is better for us if implemented correctly? I procrastinate constantly and I guess this is an example of change as I can’t focus if there’s other things I can do at the same also. Interesting post and this is going to get me thinking all day as I agree and experience both.

[Arcticwolf in reply to Tronsformer]

well the company who provides my support got rid of there uniform policy 5 years ago cause back then it made the clients feel uncomfortable. yet there is only 2 staff what has a deep understanding of my unique preferences and needs but can't do anything.