Elmo has aspergers, a form of autism. RFK says people with autism can’t use the bathroom by themselves.

  • Nougat
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    09 days ago

    “Asperger’s” is not a thing anymore. It’s all Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) now. And Hans Asperger was “a bit of a Nazi.”

    • massive_bereavement
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      09 days ago

      It’s still easier to tell people that you have Asperger’s than trying to explain why their autist nephew and yourself are different but still on the spectrum.

      I mean… Educating people is important and all that jazz but I’m just tired of it.

      • @warbond@lemmy.world
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        08 days ago

        “It’s level 1 autism, what used to be called Asperger’s,” is normally enough for people to understand what I’m talking about. Of course, I’m not saying these things to every person passing by, but when a conversation goes there I try to be educational.

      • Like the wind...
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        08 days ago

        It’s almost as if an extremely ambiguous meaningless label is useless and contributes to nothing but confusion, isolation, and ruined lives due to unneeded “help”.

    • @garbagebagel@lemmy.world
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      09 days ago

      Maybe that’s why musk also thinks he should be a Nazi, he’s just trying to live up to the name.

      Really shouldn’t use that anymore

  • @SomeGuyNamedDave@lemm.eeOP
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    09 days ago

    Honestly, this is nonsense. Instead of making memes we really should be breaking out the guillotines. Seriously.

      • First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

        Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

        Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

        Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

        —Martin Niemöller

      • @Sabin10@lemmy.world
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        09 days ago

        It’s at the point where the president wants to deport citizens for not being white enough, it’s about to to stop chilling.

        • Possibly linux
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          09 days ago

          Honestly I wish it was just the US. However, I have a feeling these things will start happening on a global scale as misinformation spreads.

        • @Zorque@lemmy.world
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          09 days ago

          That we think in absolutes, and either are hyper violent or apathetic, both of which lead to no real resolution? Yeah, definitely a real problem.

          • Possibly linux
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            09 days ago

            I’m no expert here but I believe it is called: Populism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populism

            The core part of Populism is a leader who goes around that the established systems are broken and how only they can fix it. It is massively destabilizing on both sides.

            Rant:

            Is is a seriously bad sign when people want to go on killing spree. It feels like these days you are ether expected to support Trump and all of his madness and human rights violations or be ready to support mass reforms and even violence. Can I not support Trump while not wanting to start executing people? Last time I checked the courts were a very powerful enemy of Trump. They have repeatedly stepped in his way of his power. The courts take a long time to do anything but they are absolute when they decide on something. If you overthrow the systems of power you end up with a dictator and even totalitarianism. I do not support mass deportations especially when they are completely violating peoples rights. However, that doesn’t mean I have to support a violent uprising. Last time I checked that didn’t work well for the capital rioters.

            • @KMAMURI@lemmy.world
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              8 days ago

              You should look around. You have installed a dictator. One that you ensured had unlimited power through your court system. Then he ensured the courts had zero power by openly defying them repeatedly. One that no one in your country with the power to do so, seems to be willing to defy or confront.

            • @frostysauce@lemmy.world
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              08 days ago

              that doesn’t mean I have to support a violent uprising. Last time I checked that didn’t work well for the capital rioters.

              What? You mean the people that faced no consequences for their insurrection? Seems like it worked out quite well for them.

      • @KMAMURI@lemmy.world
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        09 days ago

        Push them hard every time. I didn’t even consider this. Thank you for updating me. I will be borrowing this theme going forward.

        • @Yawweee877h444@lemmy.world
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          9 days ago

          If enough people join in at the same time, the threat/risk of repercussions/punishment drops to zero, or very close to zero. The difficult part is organizing enough people.

          • @index@sh.itjust.works
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            08 days ago

            The difficult part is organizing enough people.

            Governments work hard in preventing people from organizing. Mass media and centralized socials are directly sponsored by the government.

          • @Zorque@lemmy.world
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            09 days ago

            If you organize that many people you can get what you want without resorting to a form of violence that will really only create a power vacuum, not a better future.

            Violence is just cheap and easy, as long as you don’t have to think about the consequences of your actions.

            • @KMAMURI@lemmy.world
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              9 days ago

              Problem is you’ve left organizing and resisting so long you’ve already so far behind that the only catch up now is violence. Also the vast majority of people who have had to resort to violence as a last resort think about the consequences of their actions daily. It is well documented. I don’t know the stats on fascist dictators but I have afeeling heir druphkin and his ilk never seem to have those problems.

              • @Zorque@lemmy.world
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                09 days ago

                The problem is it’s not the last resort, far from it. We still have some semblance of democracy, no matter how often people are screaming that it’s all lost already (like yourself). We still have options, just because so many people choose not to consider them doesn’t mean they don’t exist, it just means it takes more effort than lighting a bottle of alcohol with a rag in it on fire and tossing it at the people you blame for all your inconveniences.

                Yes, we have a problem at the federal level, and yes it’s going to be hard to fix it. But it’s not the only thing that matters, and treating it like it is is how we’ve lost so much ground already. People gave up long ago because everyone keeps telling them their thoughts don’t matter, that everything is already broken and there’s no way to fix it. Not because it’s true, because it’s the easiest way to get people to stop resisting effectively.

                You want people to do something meaningful? Stop backing them into a corner by telling them they have no options left. Cause as we’ve seen already it just means they give up.

                • @KMAMURI@lemmy.world
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                  9 days ago

                  As someone looking from the outside in please tell me about this democracy you have left. Truely. I’d like to know because I don’t see it anywhere. I specifically don’t see it in the constant threats of annexation of my country and fuck all being done about that from your end. Too busy with your democracy I suppose to stand up for one of your largest trading partners and closest ally. Probably see us as the burden your lord and leader tried to peg us as. Your democracy is working really fucking well.

            • @fishy@lemmy.today
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              08 days ago

              Well how the fuck do we get this ball rolling? I’m ready and it feels like a load of others are ready to fix this too.

              • Robust Mirror
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                08 days ago

                If people were actually ready instead of all talk, there would already be riots and such. No one is actually uncomfortable enough to entertain the idea of real sacrifice yet. To lose the life they have, or potentially their actual life, to fight the oppression that’s started/is coming.

                I think at this point the only thing that would actually make it hit boiling point is mass joblessness/homelessness/starvation. People have to really feel it and have almost nothing to lose to really start caring.

  • @Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world
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    09 days ago

    I can’t use the bathroom unassisted either. Big shout out to gravity for being the force that allows poop to come out of my butt, and not float around the house until you open a window, and it just happens to float outside.

    But then outside there would be just a mess of poop and other debris just floating around the city all willynilly.

    Boy I sure do love the combination of indoor plumbing and gravity. It’s been at least 40 years since I held a human turd. If I ever did. I don’t know. I would have been a toddler, and don’t remember.

  • @besselj@lemmy.ca
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    09 days ago

    I wouldn’t expect a person peddling snake oil to understand or care that autism is a spectrum

  • kn0wmad1c
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    09 days ago

    Elon was never diagnosed with autism, afaik. He just tells everyone he has it

    • @Broadfern@lemmy.world
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      09 days ago

      As much as I hate to say this in response to your comment, self diagnosis is valid.

      Mostly the context is for people without resources, however, so your point is fair. Taking away validity for marginalized groups’ experiences is at risk with that stance though.

      Thanks if you read this and I hope you have a great day otherwise. /gen

      • @LuckyPierre@lemm.ee
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        08 days ago

        self diagnosis is valid.

        I agree. And in my country, waiting lists for any professional diagnosis are extremely long, especially for adults.

      • 74 183.84
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        09 days ago

        Self diagnosis is not valid. Stop pretending it is

          • 74 183.84
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            08 days ago

            It has nothing to do with how well you can read a book. People are not good at self-judgement. It is very common that people under or over estimate themselves. It is easier to have an outsider make a judgement. I am convinced that you put pretty much zero thought into your comment. Maybe: try to think

            • @surewhynotlem@lemmy.world
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              08 days ago

              Here’s a thought for your thinker: your self evaluation only needs to be better than the world worst psychiatrist to be just as valid.

              • 74 183.84
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                08 days ago

                No shit. Thats why you find someone credible, not some random dope who doesn’t know much.

                • @surewhynotlem@lemmy.world
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                  08 days ago

                  No shit

                  So then you agree that people’s self diagnosis are valid, because shitty doctors can diagnose and those are valid.

        • @Katzimir@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          09 days ago

          Self diagnosis for adhd and asd is a pretty strong predictor for an actual diagnosis. Also self help is a huge part of therapy/management anyway, so why not do some self help and acceptance? theres no 'cure ’ to either. making it your personality and an excuse for being an asshole is a symptom of assholism. That, however, is really hard to self diagnose due to the nature of being an unreflected selfish manbaby egomaniac.

        • @andros_rex@lemmy.world
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          9 days ago

          I am fairly confident (as are my therapists) that I am somewhere on some sort of spectrum. However, when I looked at the process of getting a formal diagnosis, it was several thousand dollars which would not be covered by insurance and would be a full year at least on a waiting list. (I believe they also want to talk to your family…)

          The average age of diagnosis for AFAB folks is around 30. Clinicians are not trained in recognizing the way that ASD presents in girls, and are to this day often taught that it doesn’t really present in girls at all (a current gig is tutoring intro psych - this was in a students textbook!)

          Self-diagnosis is problematic, but you also must acknowledge that accessing resources to even get evaluated are often completely out of reach.

          • @LuckyPierre@lemm.ee
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            08 days ago

            Same here in the UK.

            Maximum target waiting time is 13 weeks - AFTER you get a referral from a GP - and not all of those are willing to refer adults who are high functioning because they see it as taking a rare resource away from those more in need.

            But even with that referral, 84% of people are waiting longer.

            Private is possible, and 3-4 weeks, but that costs around £4,000.

            Without a professional diagnosis, you won’t qualify for any assistance, either from the state or your workplace.

            (I self diagnosed as autisitic in my 50s, after a childhood diagnosis of dyslexic. I now think was a misdiagnosis of autism.)

          • kn0wmad1c
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            09 days ago

            They are for most people, but he’s literally the richest man in the world.

        • @Liberteez@lemm.ee
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          09 days ago

          It is dangerous in some countries to get an official diagnosis for a disability. I respect that some people know they have a problem, but fear a label

          • @Zorque@lemmy.world
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            09 days ago

            Some people also wear a label as a badge of honor, or as an excuse for their malign actions. Elon has little to lose with his claims, and so much to excuse.

            • is it? do we really think autistic people or others with disabilities won’t be targeted by the current administration in the US? they’re following the Nazis playbook pretty accurately so far and that was kind of a major point for them. I mean the term Asperger’s was coined by a Nazi scientist after performing experiments on the disabled people they rounded up and out in camps.

        • @andxz@lemmy.world
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          08 days ago

          From someone with two major surgeries behind me, one of them involving a tumour inside my head, this sounds outright idiotic.

          I’d be dead unless I realized something was wrong other than what the doctors at the time described as “just a few headaches”. Took me upwards of 10+ different doctors before they finally listened and found it. Exactly where I described the pain and pressure coming from.

          Listen to your body, and for fucks sake stop giving bad advice to people.

            • @P00ptart@lemmy.world
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              08 days ago

              It’s certainly in the same vein, but you’re right, not exactly the same.

              Though as far as self diagnosis with autism is concerned, I don’t see that as a bad thing. Even if they aren’t on the spectrum, realizing they have some shared personality traits will cause more “normies” to have a sympathetic view towards autism, causing it to have less stigma. People hear that certain traits are related to autism and recognize those same traits in themselves, and then they can relate better. If only more people could do this with race, religion and gender, people would have more compassion for others as a whole.

              But Elon? Fuck that guy.

              • GladiusB
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                08 days ago

                I don’t agree this is self diagnosis unless you set up an MRI and analyzed the data yourself. Having self awareness to think that something wasn’t right? Yea. That’s what it sounds like.

                • @andxz@lemmy.world
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                  08 days ago

                  Setting up an MRI and interpreting the images yourself is obviously impossible, but I did work in a related field so it wasn’t just guesswork either. Do you think any of the doctors I met gave a shit about my thoughts on the matter regardless?

            • @andxz@lemmy.world
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              08 days ago

              I knew it wasn’t just random headaches but something else, potentially a lot worse. I was right in that instance, at the very least. You’re right that I couldn’t tell them exactly what it was, but since it was quite localised I had my suspicions.

              Trying to tell a doctor that you suspect something isn’t exactly easy unless they actually happen to listen, which they didn’t, for far too long.

              When they finally did the surgery it was a lot worse than it could’ve been. I was lucky enough that it was a pre-cancerous tumor though. A few months more and it would probably have been too late.

              I’ll admit that I worked in a related field at the time though, so I wasn’t entirely relying on guesswork. Not that that meant anything to a single one of the doctors I met before the last one that actually gave me the MRI scan I had begged for for months. I was in surgery the next week.

              So you tell me, was the right course of action to just listen to what the doctors said, or not?

              • You did the right thing. I’m not disputing that.

                I’m saying it’s a very different thing from people who self-diagnose psychological issues or other diseases, without confirming with a doctor.

                You didn’t go “I have a brain tumour, where’s the surgeon”, you persisted in getting a proper diagnosis from a doctor who finally did the right tests.

                • @andxz@lemmy.world
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                  07 days ago

                  I’ll concede that there’s a difference between physical and psychological diagnoses, but I’ll stand by the main point I was trying to convey, which in this case is that simply blindly following whatever a doctor says can go very wrong.

                  At the very least there’s always a good reason to get a second opinion if there’s even a little bit of doubt. Obviously there’s also the difference between a lifelong psychological issue and an acute medical emergency.

                  I simply felt that OP was giving really bad advice and I’m fairly sure he’s got no medical training whatsoever, while I’ve been a nurse for over a decade. Maybe I’m wrong and he’s a doctor, but I highly doubt it.

          • 74 183.84
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            08 days ago

            That is not self-diagnosis. Just google the term if you don’t know the meaning

        • slst
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          08 days ago

          How do ypu get a diagnosis without self diagnosing first

  • @Mothra@mander.xyz
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    09 days ago

    I’m obviously OOTL here- I’ve known people with Asperger’s and they used the bathroom by themselves just fine. What’s going on? I don’t live in US

    • Person with autism here: the truth is even if some people on the spectrum can’t use the bathroom by themselves, it’s either a comorbidity linked to a different disability or it’s obscenely rare.

      The way autism expresses in different people is very complex and this is this is one of the worst mischaracterizations I’ve ever seen.

      That guy shouldn’t be able to touch the US health department or any other health organization for that matter with a ten foot pole. He is explicitly and intentionally spreading lies on a variety of different topics and should have no authority.

    • @Liberteez@lemm.ee
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      9 days ago

      RFK Jr has a long history of being wrong about everything. He doesn’t want to break character now.

      • @Mothra@mander.xyz
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        09 days ago

        Oh I see. So he said Aspergers can’t use the toilet unassisted, not that Elon needs assistance

        • Miles O'Brien
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          09 days ago

          Elmo has claimed to be autistic at multiple points. Most recently to my knowledge, to try and excuse his nazi salute.

          So when RFK was drooling droning on about how terrible autism is, and how autistic people can’t use the restroom unassisted, by extension he was saying Musk can’t have a solo bathroom experience.