It's not 'A' spectrum, it's a Autism(!) spectrum. It's named that way because people on the spectrum have Autism.
The name is changed(since 10 years)to a spectrum because many sub forms of autism overlap
Autism in Football: James McClean
- Thread starter SilentWitness
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It's not 'A' spectrum, it's a Autism(!) spectrum. It's named that way because people on the spectrum have Autism.
The name is changed(since 10 years)to a spectrum because many sub forms of autism overlap
Autism is not the only condition which exists on a spectrum.
I have always presumed that a lot of Sports people are on the spectrum/Aspergers. I say this because of the nature of sport, the needing to repeat and perfect routines in a strict manner, the fixation of that particular sport/activity etc. For me, Rafael Nadal and Pep display a lot of characteristics that I would associate with what I was told is 'high order Aspergers' (apologies if this is the wrong way of describing it or if it an outdated way.)
Obviously, Autism is slightly misunderstood as the spectrum is so wide and I agree that we probably need to come up with better ways of explaining it as there is such a variety of disorders it incompassess.
Obviously, Autism is slightly misunderstood as the spectrum is so wide and I agree that we probably need to come up with better ways of explaining it as there is such a variety of disorders it incompassess.
I just explained how it works. You don't understand, and I don't know how I can make it any simpler.
Edit: I've been explained by many of you're collogues that there is no such thing as being a little Autistic. Either you are or you are not.
Edit: Here is what the the Dutch Autism Association says about being a little bit of Autistic
https://www.autisme.nl/over-autisme/wat-is-autisme/feiten-en-fabels/
Use google translate
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Dude, I’m a doctor with an additional qualification in psychiatry. I really do understand how this works, believe me.
Seriously don't know how a post about James McClean speaking out about autism, devolves into an argument over what is and isn't autism.
Fair play to him for coming out and speaking about it. Can't have been easy given the amount of stick he gets from fans at a certain time of the year.
Fair play to him for coming out and speaking about it. Can't have been easy given the amount of stick he gets from fans at a certain time of the year.
Fascinating topic. Did a bit on this in a Job I once had. I have been to art exhibitions with amazing artists, all w Autism. I have wondered if the super/focus tunnel vision aspect is almost like a weird adaptation for survival in extreme situations?
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My 4 year old son ( 5 in June ) has Autism, so far he's non verbal but i live in hope 
My wife picked up on it way before i did and its been some experience to be honest.
In all my years, I've never even noticed anyone with Autism, but when you look back and see kids having a tantrum in the supermarket with the parents struggling to cope you just put it down to a unruly child or even bad parenting.
I never think like that anymore as we never really know what is going on in these situations.
Routine is such a massive part for a kid with Autism, its crazy how quickly they pick up on something that is not the norm.
Yesterday, my wife went to some meeting where she wore a headset and gloves that mimics what a Autistic child hears and feels, she said it was quite jaw dropping.
The first 3 years were the worst, just crazy meltdowns for things we could not figure out, and as he is non verbal, he could not explain it.
Things are much better now, he's in a great school that is equipped with everything he will need and honestly, he is such a happy boy with very few meltdowns these days.
All we need to do it live by his rules
My wife picked up on it way before i did and its been some experience to be honest.
In all my years, I've never even noticed anyone with Autism, but when you look back and see kids having a tantrum in the supermarket with the parents struggling to cope you just put it down to a unruly child or even bad parenting.
I never think like that anymore as we never really know what is going on in these situations.
Routine is such a massive part for a kid with Autism, its crazy how quickly they pick up on something that is not the norm.
Yesterday, my wife went to some meeting where she wore a headset and gloves that mimics what a Autistic child hears and feels, she said it was quite jaw dropping.
The first 3 years were the worst, just crazy meltdowns for things we could not figure out, and as he is non verbal, he could not explain it.
Things are much better now, he's in a great school that is equipped with everything he will need and honestly, he is such a happy boy with very few meltdowns these days.
All we need to do it live by his rules
My 4 year old son ( 5 in June ) has Autism, so far he's non verbal but i live in hope
My wife picked up on it way before i did and its been some experience to be honest.
In all my years, I've never even noticed anyone with Autism, but when you look back and see kids having a tantrum in the supermarket with the parents struggling to cope you just put it down to a unruly child or even bad parenting.
I never think like that anymore as we never really know what is going on in these situations.
Routine is such a massive part for a kid with Autism, its crazy how quickly they pick up on something that is not the norm.
Yesterday, my wife went to some meeting where she wore a headset and gloves that mimics what a Autistic child hears and feels, she said it was quite jaw dropping.
The first 3 years were the worst, just crazy meltdowns for things we could not figure out, and as he is non verbal, he could not explain it.
Things are much better now, he's in a great school that is equipped with everything he will need and honestly, he is such a happy boy with very few meltdowns these days.
All we need to do it live by his rules
Glad you’re getting all the support you need, sounds like a great kid with great parents.
Autistic person with ADHD here (ADHD and Autism are the most common co-morbid conditions).
It is really empowering to see individuals such as James McClean come out and share their diagnosis. Each disclosure is a massive step towards achieving acceptance.
Be kind with your language too people. Aspergers or High/Low Functioning are outdated terms. For anyone interested in learning more, the OpenUniversity do a free course called Understanding Autism which is worth the time in doing:- https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/understanding-autism/
It is really empowering to see individuals such as James McClean come out and share their diagnosis. Each disclosure is a massive step towards achieving acceptance.
Be kind with your language too people. Aspergers or High/Low Functioning are outdated terms. For anyone interested in learning more, the OpenUniversity do a free course called Understanding Autism which is worth the time in doing:- https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/understanding-autism/
So everyone from the same background as McClean are scumbags and killers?
This 100%. I know speculating about these sort of things is a bit poor form, but Ronaldo is another I think of everytime I see him express himself publically. I think it is very widespread among those who have dedicated their life to something
Nothing but admiration for James on more than one level.
Bit of a dangerous game diagnosing celebrities from the limited information we have on them though isn’t it?
You're right, I wrote and deleted the post three times, but thought asking those with experience might be the best way to discuss it. But you're probably right, I'll delete!
It's bad enough trying to stick labels on people after completing an online questionnaire. To do so based on a few interview clips and vague statements about his behaviour on Twitter is really going above and beyond.
I agree with this. Don't diagnose based on the very limited information. That said, I was diagnosed last year at the age of 30 it was the first thing I thought of when I read these tweets.
I forgot i posted this but thank you.Glad you’re getting all the support you need, sounds like a great kid with great parents.
We are getting all the support needed and that is mainly down to his mother who is really on the ball when it comes to stuff like this, she is the type that will not be fobbed off by anyone and will always fight to get what he needs.
So lucky to get the right school for him, again the wife pushed for it and he got a place, even better its only about 8 miles away and a taxi picks him up every morning, some parents have to re-locate to get to this school so we are very fortunate indeed to have it so close.
The wife even works about 5 minutes away from there so its great.
Still non verbal but one day it will happen.
He has been on the waiting list for years for him to be assessed and diagnosed properly but we still wait, be nice to know what the long term prognosis might be,
That was my only thinking but I was wrong to post it rather than just keep it to myself, admittedly.
My 4 year old son ( 5 in June ) has Autism, so far he's non verbal but i live in hope
My wife picked up on it way before i did and its been some experience to be honest.
In all my years, I've never even noticed anyone with Autism, but when you look back and see kids having a tantrum in the supermarket with the parents struggling to cope you just put it down to a unruly child or even bad parenting.
I never think like that anymore as we never really know what is going on in these situations.
Routine is such a massive part for a kid with Autism, its crazy how quickly they pick up on something that is not the norm.
Yesterday, my wife went to some meeting where she wore a headset and gloves that mimics what a Autistic child hears and feels, she said it was quite jaw dropping.
The first 3 years were the worst, just crazy meltdowns for things we could not figure out, and as he is non verbal, he could not explain it.
Things are much better now, he's in a great school that is equipped with everything he will need and honestly, he is such a happy boy with very few meltdowns these days.
All we need to do it live by his rules
Sorry to derail the thread but when was it you noticed and how did you come to this conclusion?
The reason I ask is I'm worried about my boy, as he's 2 now and severely late in talking.
He barely says mom, dad, and his name whereas kids his age speak fluent/sometimes coherent words/sentences. Its always gesturing what he wants without speaking.
This is despite being in daycare with other kids around him in the same age, and the other kids being able to speak/say words, and being exposed to speech and such via the person who looks after his group.
I know we're never supposed to compare, but I'm starting to worry a bit.
What worries me more is he resembles your case, where anything out of the norm results in a tantrum. He's also always calmed down when I spin a ball (resembling a fidget spinner).
I wanted to have the conversation with the wife but I was worried about her reaction as she doesn't take (potentially) bad news very well and stresses a lot. But on the other hand, she is getting tired of the tantrums and him not saying what he actually wants.
We decided to book an appointment for him (with the wife present of course) with a speech therapist who specialized in children and infants. Perhaps this delay in talking can be solved via a couple of sessions, as she's apparently worked with similar cases before.
I don't think it was wrong. I have autism, come from a family where there is lots of autism, and as a result followed a career path of working with children with autism and going through all the courses and training whereby I am now very experienced and fully qualified to diagnose children with autism (and other conditions that require EI) so I know what I'm talking about when I say that there are some signals like those you mentioned that really stand out as indicators for ASD. I havnt seen the videos but the leaks about his behaviour would suggest a deeper look and its ok to say that as long as your not saying its a certainty. Being afraid to think and say it is the stigma that makes things worse. Whether your right or wrong is no big deal but it's an interesting perspective and something I would look at more closely if I was EtH
Appreciate this. You're saying exactly what was going through my head when I finally decided to make the post, but I do also understand the opinions of those who think it's dangerous to make assumptions. It's why I asked a question rather than actually making any sort of definite statement.
It was mental health issues when he went on a 3 month fitness program last year, now he's autistic.
Sometimes people, especially those who were pampered as infants all the way to adulthood can just be rude, obnoxious and lazy, no need to label it.
Sometimes people, especially those who were pampered as infants all the way to adulthood can just be rude, obnoxious and lazy, no need to label it.
It’s also interesting to mention the autism theory in this particular thread. James McClean may not be the most talented player but he is is insanely fit and well disciplined. Presumably his diagnosis works well with living a very organised, regimented lifestyle, big on routine and meticulous timekeeping.
None of the above comes to mind when we talk about Jadon Sancho, does it?
None of the above comes to mind when we talk about Jadon Sancho, does it?
Our now 8 year old was the same, didn’t speak much, only made a specific sound over and over again. Eventually he was diagnosed as having a sever speech disorder and behind in his developmental stages. However through speech and language, mixing with other kids in pre-school etc he developed his speech. Now you can’t shut him up. He was also diagnosed with ADHD at age 7, but like you, my wife knew that there was something for years. He’d self regulate himself by taking himself off to a corner to play a jigsaw or something like that. At age 8 he is flying, speech is great, his conversations are on point and he’s doing brilliantly at school.
your little one can catch up too with support and sounds like there is 2 great parents to do that
Sent you a message Slevs, feel free to reply whenever you want.
Not sure how you do private messages but it seems ive started a conversation, are those private ? .. proper newb here
Have edited the title of my own Autism Assessment thread to be a bit more general if people want to take their discussions there if they're not football related.
https://www.redcafe.net/threads/general-autism-adhd-neurodivergent-thread.474482/
https://www.redcafe.net/threads/general-autism-adhd-neurodivergent-thread.474482/
Greg Halford the latest to reveal a diagnosis. I found it interesting what he said about moving clubs and struggling to adapt to those changes. Again, it's really great to see more people talking openly and honestly like this.
https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/footbal...k-tears-as-he-reveals-autism-diagnosis-413761
https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/footbal...k-tears-as-he-reveals-autism-diagnosis-413761
I'm autistic. Late diagnosed this year in my early 30s. Autism can make watching football hard. Injustice sensitivity of a team breaking all the rules to win everything is tough. The inconsistency between refereeing decision and the laws of the game leaves me feeling aggrieved. I'm still annoyed that our goal against Spurs was cancelled when Son feigned a severe head injury from a light brushing of his cheek.
I'm thinking about giving up live viewing as it can be a difficult experience at present.
I'm thinking about giving up live viewing as it can be a difficult experience at present.
I remember a story they told on that Class of 92 doc, where as a young player he'd stay in his room with all the lights off and the windows closed eating sweets.
It makes sense for him to be. Social awkwardness.
Guys, is there anyway of watching the documentary that Scholes did about autism. I have a sister with it and I heard the show is great but I can't find it anywhere.
John O'Kane is autistic, wrote a book about his experiences.
I've always thought it about Bielsa. Looks down when conducting interviews, dosen't give a feck about people finding him sitting on buckets to watch matches and saw at Leeds when they had spygate thing and he went through every Derby game that season to reporters to show how obsessed he was studying opponents.
I'd say he's on the spectrum but he clearly has his own brilliant unique way to communicate given 99.9% of players love playing for him.
I've always thought it about Bielsa. Looks down when conducting interviews, dosen't give a feck about people finding him sitting on buckets to watch matches and saw at Leeds when they had spygate thing and he went through every Derby game that season to reporters to show how obsessed he was studying opponents.
I'd say he's on the spectrum but he clearly has his own brilliant unique way to communicate given 99.9% of players love playing for him.