Julianna and Kelley discuss the National Council on Severe Autism's position statement advocating for severe or profound autism to be recognized as its own diagnosis, separate from the broader autism spectrum. They explore the evolution from DSM-IV's three-tier classification system to DSM-5's umbrella approach, examining how this change has impacted service allocation and representation. The conversation highlights the tension between neurodiversity advocacy and the needs of profoundly autistic individuals requiring 24/7 care, addressing housing crises, caregiver shortages, and the dominance of higher-functioning voices in autism discourse. The episode concludes with a lighthearted exploration of "outroverts."

Key Takeaways

• The National Council on Severe Autism advocates for severe/profound autism to be its own diagnosis, distinct from the broader spectrum
• DSM-5's umbrella approach consolidated previous categories (Asperger's, PDD-NOS, classic autism) into one autism spectrum disorder with levels 1-3
• Severe autism is qualitatively different, not merely a matter of degree on a linear scale
• Individuals with severe autism typically have significant social communication impairments, cognitive deficits, challenges with basic living skills, sensory dysregulation, and need 24/7 supervision
• Parents of profoundly autistic individuals feel the conversation is dominated by higher-functioning voices and disability advocacy focused on independence
• Competition for limited services creates challenges when level 1 and level 3 individuals are competing for the same therapists and resources
• Popular culture representation of high-functioning autism has positive aspects but can overshadow the needs of the severe autism community
• Current group home options are inadequate, and alternative housing solutions face practical barriers including housing and care worker shortages

Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments including SAINT (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder, as well as MERT (Magnetic e-resonance therapy) for autistic people aged three or older. Learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com

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