5 Reasons Everyone On Your Socials Is Talking About ADHD And Autism

Why are ADHD and Autism suddenly everywhere?

1. It kind of is everywhere. Know 11 people? At least one has ADHD. Know 36 people? At least one is Autistic

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Prevalence rates are frequently updated, so it may seem like there are way more people who are Autistic or ADHD now than 20 years ago. That's sort of true, but a little misleading. Today, about 9% of people are estimated to have ADHD and almost 3% are Autistic.

2. While some see an epidemic or overdiagnosis, changes in diagnostic criteria, awareness through social media, and studies on more diverse people are responsible for the changes in prevalence

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No, it's not vaccines, diagnosis by TikTok, or soft kids.

Autism was only put in the diagnostic manual in 1980 with significant changes to the criteria happening in revisions. Until 2013, one was considered a diagnosis that ruled out the other when in fact, the overlap is 50-80%. Both conditions are actually considered to be underdiagnosed. Still.

3. Generations of people have been missed

Divergent Autism Services/ Alondra Rogers / Via threads.net

Because of the lack of understanding, the rigid criteria for diagnosis that left people out, the belief that these conditions were the domains of children and (white) boys specifically, millions of people have grown up without knowing themselves or having supports.

In previous generations, people with high support needs were invisible because they were institutionalized. Ugh. People with lower support needs were weird, eccentric, odd, the absent-minded professor type, the manic pixie dream girl type, the loner.

And spoiler, these are lifelong neurodevelopmental conditions. You don't turn 18 and become neurotypical, Janet.

4. Autistic and ADHD people are more likely to be introverts, ambiverts, indoorsy, solitary, or travel in small groups--the internet is where we convene

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We probably aren't going clubbing to chat about our sensory defensiveness.

5. Autistic and ADHD people are looking for each other to build community

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If you've felt different your whole life, it's kind of nice to bond with others who get it. ADHD and Autistic people are looking to find each other, witness, and be seen. If you're seeing a lot of Autism and ADHD content, maybe, well, you may wanna take some screening quizzes. The algorithm tells no lies.

Autism:

ADHD: