Give children comfort rather than labels says Dr Rachel Taylor, Neuropsychologist
Neuropsychologist Dr Rachel Taylor shares her thoughts on the current news agenda about autism and ADHD.
"The environment is increasingly hostile and toxic which is leading in my opinion as a cognitive neuroscientist to conditions which are lending themselves to atypicalities in phenotypes. I see lots of children though who are presenting with what I would consider to be distress rather than neurodiversity.
Autism is typically associated with social behavioural differences and difficulties. I look around and I see parents giving babies smartphones instead of interacting, I see children being given labels instead of comfort.
There are so many things being given and done to children that are in essence wrong, damaging and causing harm. Parents need to stop being so passive and start being active with their children. Studies have shown that pro-social interventions with toddlers can reduce the severity of autism symptoms and in some cases eradicate them.
I’m tired of labels. Let’s focus on creating an environment where children can thrive not one where you are lucky if your child has not been diagnosed with x, y or z. Look at what policies have done to the population as a whole, the majority are sick or unwell.
I was the first person in the world to develop a theory of well-being for people with autism and people are not interested. That’s because people want to be medicalised or want their children to be. This then for many discharges their responsibility for ensuring wellness and health- not everyone, but the majority.
Let me tell you now, we have a health and social care system that is designed to keep you sick not well. It’s big business unwellness and it saddens me that most people don’t want to see this.
I love people with autism they are my absolute passion and researching with them hugely changed my life. They are unique, amazing, and so vulnerable they need us all to change how we live to improve the quality of their lives.
If anyone cares about autism beyond the headline tell them to talk to me. I tell the stories of the whole person not just the atypical side of them!"
Find out more at https://drracheltaylor.co.uk