Written by:
May 19, 2018
Category: 

King of autism

Last updated on February 26, 2021

What labels would you prefer to see for autism, rather than high- & low-functioning autism?

I would prefer myself to be referred to as the king of autism, my autistic friends as the autistic nobles, and all other people can be referred to as disciples of autism of varying classes. Are there any autistic nobles around?


Diagnostic criteria

Pathologizing language and predominant focus aside, I would love to see this in the DSM-VI:

Diagnostic criteria for King of Autism Disorder (KAD):
  1. Persistent difficulties in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts.
  2. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.
  3. Named Martin Silvertant.
  4. Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities, or may be masked by learned strategies in later life).

A crown.


Purpose

Ultimately, I think these royal autism labels can serve their purpose as a way of categorizing, referring, identifying, and relating. Removing labels removes structure. Sometimes that is a good thing, as the labels we use may misrepresent reality rather than—in some way—accurately represent it.

But ‘king of autism’? Completely accurate. You may or may not find these labels to be useful. But at least it has nothing to do with functioning labels or even support levels. Instead, we would have a beautiful class system, which is entirely in support of me, your autism majesty. What objections could you possibly have?


Signing off,
King of Autism

References

This article
was written by:
martin-silvertant

Martin Silvertant is a co-founder of Embrace Autism, and lives up to his surname as a silver award-winning graphic designer. Besides running Embrace Autism and researching autism, he loves typography and practicing type design. He was diagnosed with autism at 25.

PS: Martin is trans, and as of 2021 she writes under her true name, Eva Silvertant.

Disclaimer

Although our content is generally well-researched
and substantiated, or based on personal experience,
note that it does not constitute medical advice.

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Land acknowledgement

Embrace Autism recognizes and acknowledges the traditional lands of the Indigenous peoples across Ontario. From the lands of the Anishinaabe to the Attawandaron and Haudenosaunee, these lands surrounding the Great Lakes are steeped in First Nations history. We are in solidarity with Indigenous brothers and sisters to honour and respect Mother Earth. We acknowledge and give gratitude for the wisdom of the Grandfathers and the four winds that carry the spirits of our ancestors that walked this land before us. Embrace Autism is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We acknowledge and thank the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation—the Treaty holders—for being stewards of this traditional territory.

A First Nations symbol, consisting of a Sun surrounded by four Eagle feathers.

Land acknowledgement

Embrace Autism recognizes and acknowledges the traditional lands of the Indigenous peoples across Ontario. From the lands of the Anishinaabe to the Attawandaron and Haudenosaunee, these lands surrounding the Great Lakes are steeped in First Nations history. We are in solidarity with Indigenous brothers and sisters to honour and respect Mother Earth. We acknowledge and give gratitude for the wisdom of the Grandfathers and the four winds that carry the spirits of our ancestors that walked this land before us. Embrace Autism is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We acknowledge and thank the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation—the Treaty holders—for being stewards of this traditional territory.

A First Nations symbol, consisting of a Sun surrounded by four Eagle feathers.
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