Adam Harris: Siamo arrivati ​​troppo lontano per tornare ai giorni dello stigma sull’autismo

The person in government responsible for this is Mary Butler, and only yesterday she was referring to people seeking autism and ADHD diagnoses as [“the new trend.”](https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/social-affairs/2025/04/10/surge-in-adhd-among-children-resulting-in-huge-waiting-lists-for-mental-health-services-says-minister/)

Maybe Adam Harris could get his older brother to have a word?

I think it’s very, very obvious he hasn’t actually read the book in question – and like, that’s fine, especially if he’s made the judgement that it’d be a waste of time. But I don’t think it’s fair or wise to publish a take on it if you’re not prepared to actually read it.

fwiw I think this take, the take going on in multiple social media “support” groups, all based on the reaction to 20 minutes of Brendan O’Connor, the thread we had here… all seem to be talking about a completely different book and a completely different argument to the one that she’s actually written.

I got it after hearing her (much, much more interesting) [interview with the New Statesman](https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/insight-podcast/2025/03/are-we-living-through-an-overdiagnosis-epidemic). (I am not a huge podcast person but the story about Valentina the Huntington’s patient in that podcast is absolutely fascinating and way more revelatory of the main thrust of the debate here than any shite BO’C was talking about). You can read glowing reviews in the [Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/12/the-age-of-diagnosis-by-suzanne-osullivan-review-do-no-harm) or the [Irish Times](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2025/04/05/the-age-of-diagnosis-by-suzanne-osullivan-and-no-more-normal-by-alastair-santhouse-intelligently-exploring-questions-of-immense-public-importance/) or the [Lancet](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)00567-7/abstract?rss=yes) here.

The book is only tangentally about autism (and it NEVER suggests anybody is being diagnosed with autism who is not actually autistic). By far the most interesting parts are about overdiagnosis in relation to Huntington’s or breast and prostate cancer. The behavioural disorder stuff isn’t even the most controversial thing she says (that’s the stuff about Chronic Lyme and Long Covid).

I think that if you want to disagree with her on any part that’s fine. For the record, I think she’s definitely wrong when she suggests that borderline diagnoses could or should get in-school supports without a diagnosis. That is totally unfeasible and would end up being immediately exploited by the pushy middle class.

But the comments I’ve seen on Facebook or the thread here: look, she’s one of the most distinguished neurologists in Ireland and Britain and she’s making a point in a well-researched and very nuanced way. Acting like she’s some RFK-style headbanger who’s claiming autism doesn’t exist is not honest. It’s counterproductive because the wider debate about overdiagnosis (which is NOT the same as misdiagnosis!! On the last post here it was extremely obvious most posters had no idea they aren’t the same thing!) has been occurring in medical circles for many years now and the rest of us had better get involved too.

I’m glad he read all the headlines, but I think Suzanne O’Sullivan has been making a much more nuanced point about the over-medicalisation of a lot of conditions.

She talks about diabetes, asthma, COVID, and neuropsychiatric disorders, among others.

And I don’t think she’s been advocating for any stigma towards anyone, in fact her suggestion has been the opposite, to provide help to anyone who needs it without the necessity of a medical diagnosis.

Here’s a nice review of her book: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/12/the-age-of-diagnosis-by-suzanne-osullivan-review-do-no-harm

Too many people area acting outraged without actually reading her book or being open.

Look, we can all understand that Adam Harris (Simon Harris’ brother) is fully functioning. There is a big difference between and what we used to know as autism.

He has made his identity and his career.

We are all neurodivergent. That term was coined by a sociologist. Every brain is different. There is money to be made in the autism and adhd industry.

People develop emotionally and socially different. We all have different temperaments. Social media has a lot to blame for.

Yes, people aren’t mature enough to listen to other views