The TikTok-ification Of Autism Language. Does more awareness mean more acceptance and empathy from the neurotypical community? Or does it dilute what being neurodivergent is really like in an effort to allow everyone to self-identify and feel belonging online?
Double edged sword: love that there is more awareness for neurodivergence, not loving that it’s being hijacked because it’s trendy
april5k on
Appropriation. These MFers don’t know what overstimulated is.
[deleted] on
[removed]
Sentientmanatee on
I have adhd and I think even neurotypicals get overstimulated. Not to the same level ofc, but I feel like that ones valid.
MyLittleShadowStitch on
I started looking into getting diagnosed after seeing something on Instagram and relating to it (not an influencer, but an infographic), but never would have put two and two together until years later if not for that. My algorithm does tend to show more “curated” Au/ADHD content because I don’t engage with the “we’re all a bit adhd”-type influencer.
They can come and check back in with their hyper fixation statuses when they’re so overstimulated they can’t get out of bed and function on a day to day basis. Or when they have a fun day of echolalia where the same word or phrase is going over and over and over in your head.
CommunicationOk8984 on
The reason this is bad and appropriation, and not good and visibility, is that these neurotypicals will still deny an autistic person a job for not “being a good personality fit”
Unable_Mushroom9355 on
On one hand, I think the broad usage of these phrases can help neurotypical people understand and empathize a bit better, just by virtue of knowing what words mean. Nowadays, stepping outside to take a break from a party because you’re “overstimulated” will be met with a level of understanding and nonchalance. A vibe of, “That’s fair, you do you!” Whereas 10 years ago, people with no familiarity with the term would be confused, ask further probing questions (which would probably make you more overstimulated), and might judge you or think you’re crazy.
On the other hand, the co-opting does lessen neurotypical people’s understanding of the *depth* of these Autistic experiences. A NT person’s overstimulation is not the same as an Autistic person’s overstimulation. (And as a Level 1 Autistic person, my overstimulation isn’t even the same as a Level 3 Autistic person’s overstimulation!)
I think a good comparison is the popularity of “Mental Health Day.” NT people/people without any mental illness may need a Mental Health Day when they’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed. That happens to everyone. It is very different from a depressed person’s Mental Health Day, where they can’t get out of bed. Or a MHD for someone with clinical anxiety, where they are battling panic attacks. Now, I think everyone should have access to Mental Health Days! The popularity for NT people makes it much easier and less stigmatized for the rest of us to take them. But it can also give NT people the sense that they understand your experience, when they *don’t*. Worst case scenario, they can say, “I needed a Mental Health Day but I pushed through it, so you can too!” when that is not true at all. Your Mental Health Days look completely different.
In conclusion, there’s pros and cons!
EveryMoose9523 on
It’s tough because the relatable TikTok’s people were posting really validated a lot of things for me, and lead me to doing my own research and being like “oh so that’s why I feel like a mutant in a human suit” (not saying folks with autism are mutants, just that I feel like one specifically because I can’t perform like a regular neurotypical person 🤡) I can empathize with it being frustrating. I might be naive to think people are being good faith when they use the language mentioned.
Anyway I’m waiting for my neuropsychological office to call me and schedule an appointment so I can get the 411 on what is going on with my brain.
SnacksEnthusiast on
To be fair about the “overstimulation” part, I think a lot more people experience this than they realize. I have so many instances of being overstimulated as a kid and adolescent, but they didn’t present as stereotypical autistic. I didn’t have the language back then to understand why I would hit a wall (in different ways). Fast forward to six months ago and I’m diagnosed AuDHD at 43, and suddenly everything made sense.
To suggest that neurotypical people can’t also be overstimulated is ridiculous. It may not be as intense, but of course it happens.
Low_Refrigerator4891 on
Because it is language for things we didn’t have language for. Saying you are overstimulated does not mean you are diagnosising yourself as autistic, or lessening the diagnostic criteria, or minimizing autistic people’s overstimulation. It’s not a competition. It’s a descriptive word and we are all just trying to communicate as best we can.
probnotaloser on
It only annoys me because far too many people seem to forget about those whose autism affects them in such a profound way they are not able to be apart of the conversation. They’re going completely ignored in some of these spaces and it’s infuriating because they need the *voice* more so.
Yum_MrStallone on
Yes. While everyone is unique and processes stimuli and info differently. Everyone isn’t neurodivergent. I recently learned the term NeuroDiversity meaning a recognition of the myriad ways our brains process information or respond to stimuli. I think that is a useful term. As a retired teacher, we recognized that left handedness could be an indicator of challenges in the classroom. I thought of it as a Super Power and often quietly told my lefties and with challenges, learning to print/write/type/tie shoes/etc came gifts.
Middle-Armadillo-660 on
Don’t get me started on gaslighting. Like 1% of usage is correct. Mostly it’s just substituted for “that’s not true”. Sigh. That’s like saying a pamphlet is a novel.
14 Comments
Double edged sword: love that there is more awareness for neurodivergence, not loving that it’s being hijacked because it’s trendy
Appropriation. These MFers don’t know what overstimulated is.
[removed]
I have adhd and I think even neurotypicals get overstimulated. Not to the same level ofc, but I feel like that ones valid.
I started looking into getting diagnosed after seeing something on Instagram and relating to it (not an influencer, but an infographic), but never would have put two and two together until years later if not for that. My algorithm does tend to show more “curated” Au/ADHD content because I don’t engage with the “we’re all a bit adhd”-type influencer.
They can come and check back in with their hyper fixation statuses when they’re so overstimulated they can’t get out of bed and function on a day to day basis. Or when they have a fun day of echolalia where the same word or phrase is going over and over and over in your head.
The reason this is bad and appropriation, and not good and visibility, is that these neurotypicals will still deny an autistic person a job for not “being a good personality fit”
On one hand, I think the broad usage of these phrases can help neurotypical people understand and empathize a bit better, just by virtue of knowing what words mean. Nowadays, stepping outside to take a break from a party because you’re “overstimulated” will be met with a level of understanding and nonchalance. A vibe of, “That’s fair, you do you!” Whereas 10 years ago, people with no familiarity with the term would be confused, ask further probing questions (which would probably make you more overstimulated), and might judge you or think you’re crazy.
On the other hand, the co-opting does lessen neurotypical people’s understanding of the *depth* of these Autistic experiences. A NT person’s overstimulation is not the same as an Autistic person’s overstimulation. (And as a Level 1 Autistic person, my overstimulation isn’t even the same as a Level 3 Autistic person’s overstimulation!)
I think a good comparison is the popularity of “Mental Health Day.” NT people/people without any mental illness may need a Mental Health Day when they’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed. That happens to everyone. It is very different from a depressed person’s Mental Health Day, where they can’t get out of bed. Or a MHD for someone with clinical anxiety, where they are battling panic attacks. Now, I think everyone should have access to Mental Health Days! The popularity for NT people makes it much easier and less stigmatized for the rest of us to take them. But it can also give NT people the sense that they understand your experience, when they *don’t*. Worst case scenario, they can say, “I needed a Mental Health Day but I pushed through it, so you can too!” when that is not true at all. Your Mental Health Days look completely different.
In conclusion, there’s pros and cons!
It’s tough because the relatable TikTok’s people were posting really validated a lot of things for me, and lead me to doing my own research and being like “oh so that’s why I feel like a mutant in a human suit” (not saying folks with autism are mutants, just that I feel like one specifically because I can’t perform like a regular neurotypical person 🤡) I can empathize with it being frustrating. I might be naive to think people are being good faith when they use the language mentioned.
Anyway I’m waiting for my neuropsychological office to call me and schedule an appointment so I can get the 411 on what is going on with my brain.
To be fair about the “overstimulation” part, I think a lot more people experience this than they realize. I have so many instances of being overstimulated as a kid and adolescent, but they didn’t present as stereotypical autistic. I didn’t have the language back then to understand why I would hit a wall (in different ways). Fast forward to six months ago and I’m diagnosed AuDHD at 43, and suddenly everything made sense.
To suggest that neurotypical people can’t also be overstimulated is ridiculous. It may not be as intense, but of course it happens.
Because it is language for things we didn’t have language for. Saying you are overstimulated does not mean you are diagnosising yourself as autistic, or lessening the diagnostic criteria, or minimizing autistic people’s overstimulation. It’s not a competition. It’s a descriptive word and we are all just trying to communicate as best we can.
It only annoys me because far too many people seem to forget about those whose autism affects them in such a profound way they are not able to be apart of the conversation. They’re going completely ignored in some of these spaces and it’s infuriating because they need the *voice* more so.
Yes. While everyone is unique and processes stimuli and info differently. Everyone isn’t neurodivergent. I recently learned the term NeuroDiversity meaning a recognition of the myriad ways our brains process information or respond to stimuli. I think that is a useful term. As a retired teacher, we recognized that left handedness could be an indicator of challenges in the classroom. I thought of it as a Super Power and often quietly told my lefties and with challenges, learning to print/write/type/tie shoes/etc came gifts.
Don’t get me started on gaslighting. Like 1% of usage is correct. Mostly it’s just substituted for “that’s not true”. Sigh. That’s like saying a pamphlet is a novel.
OCD be like: 😭😭😭
