We're All On The Spectrum

So many posts here about professionals being diagnosed on the autistic spectrum. Many only discovered this recently over the last year or two but say they are functioning fine, enjoying a new job, etc. Personally, I once saw a young girl join an educational framework and she was full out autistic at the time, twirling away on the floor on her own. After a few months of treating her exactly like everyone else, she behaved like everyone else and even became an instructor when she was older. She had acquired the skill to be a positive part of a group. Of course I'm not a doctor or psychologist, and I'm not suggesting this is possible for everyone on the spectrum. But a good environment can solve a lot of these issues.

Since we're living in a world where communication is more demanding, but our ability to communicate hasn't improved, more and more people will be diagnosed with autism.

According to statnews.com , “CDC researchers reported that autism rates in the United States increased from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 54 in 2016, and the rate now stands at 1 in 44 children [as of 2018].” So the question is - are we really more autistic than before? The National Institute of Mental Health , defines autism as: “a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.” Since we're living in a world where communication is more demanding, but our ability to communicate hasn't improved, more and more people will be diagnosed with autism.

If we want to “treat” autism, we need to address our disconnection from each other, our inability to connect and communicate positively and constructively.

The level of connectedness in all our engagements and on all levels has been growing exponentially for decades. No matter how wealthy or powerful you are nowadays you can't get away from society. You can't isolate yourself because your mobile phone is always with you, and people can reach you not only by phone, but also by texting, video chats, social media, and many other ways. If you try to turn off your phone for even one day, you'll discover that isolation is an unachievable fantasy in today's world.

In the '70s our communication needs were very different than they are today. A regular person went to work in the morning, came back in the afternoon, ate something, read the newspaper, watched TV and went to sleep. Communication skills did not need to be as developed as they need to be today, because communication was not as intricate and demanding. Today we're communicating all the time, with multiple people, and on multiple platforms -- especially the younger generation. These ever growing demands for our attention expose the inadequate communication skills of youngsters, causing them to be diagnosed on the autistic spectrum.

Additionally, people’s growing self-absorption makes it even more difficult for them to communicate, an added challenge that did not trouble people in the second half of the previous century, who were clearly not as self-absorbed as today’s youngsters. And it's not their fault. We're all to blame for the values we've nurtured in society.

Because demands have changed, people should acquire the appropriate skills to meet them. If it was enough in the past for the education system to provide information, nowadays information is the least of our problems. Anyone can learn anything online more easily and quickly than a single teacher can teach in a physical classroom.

The main problem today is communication between people; it is dysfunctional on every level and stands behind people’s most daunting problems. Substance abuse, depression, violence, bullying and abuse, all those very serious problems do not stem from lack of knowledge, but from inadequate communication skills. If we want to “treat” autism, we need to address our disconnection from each other, our inability to connect and communicate positively and constructively.