The most prominent spectrum these days is the gender spectrum, but the absolute absurdity of the idea of a gender spectrum pushed in medical fields should make us question the validity of a medical “spectrum,” particularly with Autism.
I genuinely think that Autism is rampantly over-diagnosed, and has created a paranoia within the population of whether they are “normal” based on very loose parameters.
If gender spectrum is seen as a joke, why do we still place the concept of the Autism spectrum on relatively a higher pedestal?
Back in the day, psych students opened the DSM at parties and misdiagnose each other as a game. Flip to a random page and see who fit the bill.
I did that with some fellow high school students in the 90's and they all believed the diagnosis. It was my sign to transfer out of the school fast.
The reason why it's so ridiculous is that we never study giftedness. If we have 1 in 2000 autists, then we likely have 1:2000 gifted. We don't have a DSM of gifts, and most psych text books are lucky to have 2 paragraphs on the subject. So, when I mention I can remember stuff really well, and do math in my head, I am obviously autistic. Since I'm reading their body language to see they only have a small understanding of the subject and change the subject, I must be ADHD as well. There is no giftedness, only drool.
Most not so specials are because the parents think it will look good on the university application. Heck, I had many a friend claim to be gay or something to be special while at the gifted program.
I wondered how you made those big lists…
Part of my skill set