Bad Autism Diagnoses - Special Episode (Episode 36)

Angela: And that’s how capitalism works. Matt: Yeah, because acceptance is free.

*Trigger warning: This episode discusses ableism, discrimination, and some challenging topics related to autism diagnoses. It is intended for a mature audience. Please listen/read with care.*

Matt Lowry, LPP shares a first-hand account of a problematic autism diagnosis experience. Matt and his co-host, Dr. Angela Lauria, discuss red flags to watch out for when choosing a diagnostician such as:

• affiliations with ABA therapy

• affiliations with Autism Speaks

• pathologizing language

• including an IQ test in autism evaluations

A bad diagnosis can lead to harmful recommendations such as 40 hours per week of ABA “therapy,” which has roots in gay conversion therapy.

“If they support Autism Speaks, if they support ABA, what they're telling you is we are going to approach the diagnosis from a medicalized or a pathological perspective…This guy dehumanized my son from the very moment we walked in.” —Matt

Matt contrasts the pathologizing view in the diagnosis report his son received with a more affirmative, neurodiversity-embracing perspective. They discuss pros (accommodations) and cons (discrimination) of formal diagnosis, as well as valid alternatives like self-diagnosis and peer review.

Angela shares about her personal experience with doubt and imposter-syndrome following her diagnosis—a common struggle (especially among those who are self-diagnosed) stemming from a life-time of being told one is “too sensitive” compounded with internalized ableism.

“So we're going to get louder, we're going to get clearer, we're going to get stronger, because this leads to very negative outcomes for our people, and we are not going to stand for it.”
—Angela

On this week’s virtual culture trip, podcast hosts aim to expose problematic diagnoses in order to push for more affirmative, empowering experience that prioritize the mental health of the Autistic individuals and their families.

Was your diagnosis (or self-diagnosis) experience helpful or harmful?

• The DSM on Autism

• Matt’s reframing of Autism Criteria

• The Feminine Boy Project (root of ABA)

• Autistic Centered Therapy (AUCT)

Related episodes…Episode 13: Labels & Autism, Episode 31: Chess is Autistic, Episode 35: Sex is Autistic, Episode 24: The Trouble with Temple

• Check us out on Instagram

• Find us on Apple podcasts and Spotify

• Matt Lowry, LPP

• Autistic Connections Facebook Group

• AngelaLauria.com and Difference Press

• Angela’s: Twitter and TikTok

• TACP’s Autism-affirming TeePublic merch shop