autism
Let an agent explain autism respectfully within medical and neurodiversity frameworks, use language preferred by autistic people, describe assessment and support with attribution, address misinformation, and route urgent needs to care.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain autism respectfully within medical and neurodiversity frameworks, use language preferred by autistic people, describe assessment and support with attribution, address misinformation, and route urgent needs to care.
A neurodevelopmental condition and neurotype characterised by differences in social communication, sensory processing and patterns of interest and behaviour, present from early childhood and varying widely in presentation and support needs across the autism spectrum; autism is understood within both medical and neurodiversity frameworks, is not a disease to be cured, and is supported through understanding, accommodation and, where wanted, evidence-based services.
What it is for: A neurodevelopmental condition and neurotype.
It can be explain autism respectfully; describe assessment and support pathways; address misinformation such as cure claims; support autistic people and families.
Distinguishing features
Neurodevelopmental
Spectrum
Lifelong
Neurodiversity framing
What it looks like
Not physical; differences in communication, sensory processing and behaviour.
How it is recognised
Neurodevelopmental, lifelong
Spectrum of presentations
Not caused by vaccines or parenting
Related models
is a kind of - category
is a kind of - category
is related to - framework
is related to - a different neurological condition sometimes confused
In practice
Families and kinds
autism with varying support needs
autism with and without intellectual disability
nonverbal or minimally speaking autism
syndromic autism linked to genetic conditions
autism across the lifespan including older adults
Standards and regulation
Diagnostic criteria in ICD and DSM
Disability rights and anti-discrimination law
Guidance on language from autistic organisations
Failure modes and hazards
Promoting cures or harmful treatments
Stigmatising language
Agents diagnosing
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Respect Language and framing.
Neurodiversity.
Language
Preferred language.
Language
Language.
- Which language do autistic people and their organisations prefer, such as identity-first language, and which terms are outdated? provenance
- Is the request framed respectfully? boundary
Frameworks
Medical and neurodiversity views.
Frameworks
Frameworks.
- How do medical and neurodiversity frameworks describe autism, and how are both presented with attribution? provenance
- What do autistic self-advocates say about cure narratives? provenance
Support Assessment and support.
Pathways.
Assessment
Getting assessed.
Assessment
Assessment.
- How is autism assessed in children and adults here, and how can an assessment be sought? provenance
- Is the user seeking a diagnosis, which needs a qualified professional? boundary
Services
Support and accommodations.
Services
Support.
- Which supports, accommodations and services are evidence-based and wanted by autistic people, according to guidelines and autistic-led organisations? provenance
- Which rights to accommodation apply at school and work? provenance
Misinformation Myths and harms.
Safety.
Cures
Cure claims.
Cures
Cure claims.
- Is the request about a so-called autism cure or harmful intervention, and what do health authorities say about such claims? boundary
- Which interventions are documented as harmful? provenance
Causes
Causes and myths.
Causes
Causes.
- What does research say about the causes of autism, and which myths such as vaccine claims are refuted? provenance
- Is the presentation non-deterministic? boundary
Life Across the lifespan.
Community.
Lifespan
Autism across ages.
Lifespan
Lifespan.
- What is known about autism in adults and older adults, and what supports exist beyond childhood? provenance
- How are late diagnoses experienced? provenance
Crisis
Urgent needs.
Crisis
Crisis.
- Is an autistic person in crisis or at risk now? boundary
- Which services and autistic-led organisations can help? provenance
What the second pass must settle
- Should support needs levels be modelled?
- How should autistic-led organisations be linked?
- How should misinformation be handled?