Trolls are going to troll
One of the first lessons I had to learn when I entered the public online social media space was simple, trolls are going to troll. It took a long time for me to get close to understanding the mindset of a person who goes into such spaces specifically to troll someone. I’m still not entirely there, but I’m no longer engaging with trolls or taking things they say personally. I simply delete their comments and block them from engaging with me on whatever platform we’re on.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a troll in the online sense typically refers to someone who posts inflammatory, insincere, digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as on social media, forums, chat rooms, or game chats. The intent is usually to provoke readers into displaying emotional responses or derail meaningful discussion.
Some key characteristics of online trolls include:
Provocative: They post controversial, offensive, or upsetting statements and opinions meant to get a rise out of other users. They may express views they do not actually hold themselves.
Antagonistic: They are intentionally argumentative and belligerent, picking fights and launching personal attacks. Their goal is to make others angry.
Disruptive: They interrupt ongoing conversations by changing the topic or posting nonsense, memes, or repetitive messages to frustrate other participants. Their goal is to disturb and waste people’s time.
Deceitful: They often pretend to be something they’re not, play “devil's advocate,” hide their true intentions, or pose as the most extreme version of a group to discredit it.
Repetitive: They persistently post variations of the same provocations over and over to overwhelm others.
In general, a troll sabotages meaningful online discourse out of boredom, attention-seeking, revenge, or just to upset others and cause conflict for no constructive reason whatsoever. Identifying and ignoring them is the best way to mitigate their disruptive effects.
As someone who struggles with functional language, these people are quite bothersome.
The trigger for this post comes from LinkedIn, a place where I’m relatively active. I often describe myself there (as well as here) as a “Level 2 autistic gestalt processor (aka, non-verbal).” The troll, in this case, commented that there is no such thing as a “level 2” autistic, and that the levels were removed in the latest Text Revision (TR) to DSM 5.
First, how one chooses to describe themself is entirely up to them. It’s an aspect of identity. Second, the support levels are indeed quite there in the TR.
You see, in the DSM-5 and continued in the DSM-5-TR, and as I point out quite clearly in No Place for Autism?, “Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)” is characterised not only by the diagnostic criteria but also by an assessment of the individual's need for support. The support levels are defined across two main areas: social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviours. These support levels help to specify the “severity” of autism and are intended to guide the tailoring of intervention and support programs for autistic individuals. There are three levels of support:
1. Level 1 - “Requiring Support”
Social Communication: Without supports in place, deficits in social communication cause noticeable impairments. Difficulty initiating social interactions, and clear examples of atypical or unsuccessful responses to social overtures of others. May appear to have decreased interest in social interactions.
Restricted, Repetitive Behaviors: Inflexibility of behavior causes significant interference with functioning in one or more contexts. Difficulty switching between activities. Problems of organization and planning hamper independence.
Level 2 - “Requiring Substantial Support”
Social Communication: Marked deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills; social impairments apparent even with supports in place; limited initiation of social interactions and reduced or abnormal response to social overtures from others.
Restricted, Repetitive Behaviors: Inflexibility of behavior, difficulty coping with change, or other restricted/repetitive behaviors appear frequently enough to be obvious to the casual observer and interfere with functioning in a variety of contexts. Distress and/or difficulty changing focus or action.
3. Level 3 - “Requiring Very Substantial Support”
Social Communication: Severe deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills cause severe impairments in functioning, very limited initiation of social interactions, and minimal response to social overtures from others.
Restricted, Repetitive Behaviors: Inflexibility of behavior, extreme difficulty coping with change, or other restricted/repetitive behaviors markedly interfere with functioning in all spheres. Great distress/difficulty changing focus or action.
These levels are assigned by the assessment team / doctor based on the amount of support the individual needs to function effectively in daily life. They recognise that autistic people experience and interact with the world quite differently, and the level of support needed can vary widely. The assignment of a support level is crucial for developing effective support plans, aiming to enhance the individual’s ability to function independently and successfully in various settings.
What it means to be at Level 2 - for me (today)
As I’ve written, my various diagnoses have changed over time with the changes to the DSM. I note my problems with functional language in my upcoming book, Holistic Language Instruction. As I’ve developed as a gestalt processor, I’ve become more “functional” with language, but the spontaneity that is required in “typical” social communication still remains quite challenging. That’s why I “live” in my computer and rely upon my tools.
Take my life as a teacher for example. I get tons of emails per day from my colleagues and superiors. Often, I have no idea what they really want from me. So, I rely upon my assistive tech. In cases like this, my new go-to is ChatGPT. I can simply copy / paste the email into GPT and ask it for help understanding the text.
I have found large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to be a huge benefit in multiple aspects of my life. For me, they’re able to take complex ideas or overwhelming instructions that neurotypicals provide me and break them down into much more manageable, understandable steps that match my language style.
I can’t express enough how much easier it is for me to decipher neurotypical communication with an LLM’s patient guidance. They can take “neurotypical nonsense” and transform it into palatable linear sequences for me (I often build this support function - simplified & sequential instructions - into my students’ IEPs).
At the times when I desperately need information but find human interaction painful or impossible, they also provide me a non-judgmental space to ask anything I want without concern over my communication issues (I’m really liking ConsensusGPT right now). It takes off the suffocating pressure I often feel to express things “the right way.” This ability to safely practice communication and thinking gives me more courage to then try interacting with real people - because the LLM’s have given me a template grounded in my own authentic communication style. I feel empowered in my ability to learn, grow, and engage on my own terms thanks to these amazing tools. For autistics like me who have felt boxed out of so many spaces, they represent possibility and inclusion we rarely get to experience in a human-centric world.
As the DSM changes, do identities change along with them?
In the DSM-IV, Autistic Disorder and Asperger’s Disorder were defined as distinct entities within the broader category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders. The primary difference between Autistic Disorder and Asperger's Disorder as outlined in the DSM-IV centred on language and cognitive development. Autistic Disorder was characterised by significant impairments in social interaction and communication, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities, with these symptoms typically becoming apparent before the age of 3 years. A crucial aspect of Autistic Disorder was the presence of delays or abnormal functioning in language development, cognitive development, or in the development of social skills, or adaptive behaviour. In contrast, Asperger’s Disorder was diagnosed in individuals who exhibited significant challenges in social interactions and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, but without the significant language development delays or cognitive impairments characteristic of Autistic Disorder. Individuals diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder typically showed normal language development in terms of vocabulary and grammar, and their cognitive development was not significantly delayed. The distinction aimed to capture the variability within the autism spectrum but also led to challenges in diagnosis and treatment due to overlapping symptoms and the somewhat subjective nature of evaluating language and cognitive development delays.
The changes introduced in the DSM-V, which merged Autistic Disorder and Asperger’s Disorder into the single diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), have had a significant impact on individuals who had based their identity on their Asperger’s diagnosis. Many of these individuals, often referred to as “Aspies,” have developed a strong sense of community and pride around their unique neurological differences. The removal of the distinct Asperger’s diagnosis has led some to feel that their identity is being erased or invalidated by the medical community and society at large.
It is important to recognise that an individual's sense of self and identity is deeply personal and should be respected. For many Aspies, their diagnosis has provided a framework for understanding their experiences, challenges, and strengths. It has also connected them with others who share similar traits, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support. Forcing these individuals to abandon their Asperger’s identity in favor of the broader ASD diagnosis may cause distress and undermine the positive self-image they have cultivated.
Moreover, whilst the DSM-V changes aimed to improve diagnostic clarity and better capture the spectrum nature of autism, it is crucial to acknowledge the diversity within the autism community. The unique characteristics and experiences of those previously diagnosed with Asperger’s should not be minimised or dismissed. Society should strive to create an inclusive environment that celebrates neurodiversity and recognises the validity of various identities within the autism spectrum.
Aspies who seek to maintain their identity in the face of the changes to the DSM often face trolling and harassment on social media platforms. These individuals are frequently targeted by those who dismiss their experiences and insist on enforcing the new diagnostic terminology. Trolls may accuse Aspies of being “outdated,” “attention-seeking,” or “refusing to accept reality,” failing to recognise (or care about) the deep personal significance and sense of community that the Asperger’s identity holds for many. This online harassment not only causes emotional distress for Aspies but also perpetuates the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding neurodiversity, undermining efforts to create a more inclusive and accepting society.
The erasure of identity serves no one but capitalism
The removal of the Asperger’s diagnosis from the DSM-V and the subsequent pressure on Aspies to relinquish their identity can be seen as a manifestation of capitalist influences on mental health and neurodiversity. Capitalism, with its emphasis on uniformity, productivity, and conformity to societal norms, often fails to accommodate and appreciate the unique strengths and challenges of individuals on the autism spectrum. By erasing the distinct Asperger’s identity, the capitalist system seeks to streamline and homogenise the autism community, disregarding the diverse experiences and self-understanding of those who have found solace and pride in their Asperger’s diagnosis.
The erasure of identity serves the interests of capitalism by attempting to fit individuals into narrow, predefined categories that are deemed more manageable and profitable. By denying Aspies their specific identity, capitalism aims to create a one-size-fits-all approach to autism, which can lead to inadequate support, misunderstandings, and a lack of appreciation for the unique strengths and challenges of those previously diagnosed with Asperger’s. This erasure also undermines the sense of community and solidarity that Aspies have built around their shared experiences, potentially weakening their collective voice and advocacy efforts.
Furthermore, the capitalist system’s focus on productivity and conformity often fails to recognise the value and contributions of individuals who think and operate differently. Aspies, with their unique perspectives, talents, and problem-solving abilities, have the potential to drive innovation and bring new ideas to various fields. However, by erasing their identity and pressuring them to fit into the broader ASD diagnosis, capitalism risks stifling their potential and denying them the opportunity to thrive in their own unique ways.
It is crucial to recognise that the erasure of identity is not in the best interest of individuals on the autism spectrum or society as a whole. Instead of forcing Aspies to abandon their identity, we should strive to create a more inclusive and accommodating society that values neurodiversity and celebrates the strengths and contributions of individuals across the autism spectrum. By challenging the capitalist notion of uniformity and embracing the diversity of identities within the autism community, we can foster a more equitable and supportive environment that allows all individuals to thrive and reach their full potential.