About to sit through another #ProfoundAutism panel and wondering just how preemptively cynical I should be. #INSAR2025
May 1, 2025 at 5:22 PM
About to sit through another #ProfoundAutism panel and wondering just how preemptively cynical I should be. #INSAR2025
Folks tend to assume that anyone who claims to be an autism advocate is working on behalf of autistic people's wellbeing. Unfortunately, that is often untrue—especially with parents who promote " #ProfoundAutism." Why? @ejwillingham.bsky.social explains in our latest, thread-worthy newsletter. 1/
January 27, 2026 at 3:38 AM
Folks tend to assume that anyone who claims to be an autism advocate is working on behalf of autistic people's wellbeing. Unfortunately, that is often untrue—especially with parents who promote " #ProfoundAutism." Why? @ejwillingham.bsky.social explains in our latest, thread-worthy newsletter. 1/
"Autistics with Complex Support Needs" (CSN) is a far more useful term than #ProfoundAutism, & we recommend using it instead. We also endorse listening to people doing participatory work to improve the lives of autistics with CSN, like paper authors @dianatan.bsky.social & @drstevenkapp.bsky.social.
"For some Autistic people with CSN (complex support needs) who may continue to face significant communicative challenges even in ideal conditions, advocacy may look very different from conventional notions of self-advocacy."
osf.io/preprints/ps... #autism #neurodiversity
osf.io/preprints/ps... #autism #neurodiversity
OSF
osf.io
December 26, 2025 at 7:17 PM
"Autistics with Complex Support Needs" (CSN) is a far more useful term than #ProfoundAutism, & we recommend using it instead. We also endorse listening to people doing participatory work to improve the lives of autistics with CSN, like paper authors @dianatan.bsky.social & @drstevenkapp.bsky.social.
Did you know that people with #ProfoundAutism can be completely different from each other? OMG THE WISDOM. /sarcasm #INSAR2025
April 30, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Did you know that people with #ProfoundAutism can be completely different from each other? OMG THE WISDOM. /sarcasm #INSAR2025
Please avoid the label #ProfoundAutism, as "There is a clear risk that 'Profound Autism' will lead to clinical and research confusion." Instead, we need to describe autistic people's support needs individually, to ensure they get the right accommodations.
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/09/grav...
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/09/grav...
December 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Please avoid the label #ProfoundAutism, as "There is a clear risk that 'Profound Autism' will lead to clinical and research confusion." Instead, we need to describe autistic people's support needs individually, to ensure they get the right accommodations.
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/09/grav...
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/09/grav...
As harmful autism disinformation campaigns go, grievance parents‘ attempt to break off “ #profoundAutism” as a separate diagnosis via smearing #neurodiversity advocates is notable—mostly for its spitefulness. Select observations by @embergreen.bsky.social:
thinkingautismguide.com/2026/03/debu... 1/
thinkingautismguide.com/2026/03/debu... 1/
Debunking "Profound Autism" and Anti-Neurodiversity With Ember Green — THINKING PERSON'S GUIDE TO AUTISM
Ember Green debunks "profound autism" and anti-neurodiversity, with its cherry-picked numbers, fear-mongering, and speaking over autistics.
thinkingautismguide.com
March 29, 2026 at 3:55 AM
As harmful autism disinformation campaigns go, grievance parents‘ attempt to break off “ #profoundAutism” as a separate diagnosis via smearing #neurodiversity advocates is notable—mostly for its spitefulness. Select observations by @embergreen.bsky.social:
thinkingautismguide.com/2026/03/debu... 1/
thinkingautismguide.com/2026/03/debu... 1/
Another profound side eye at the #profoundAutism lobbyists—as yet another ND person whom you call “fine” because they could attend college is instead profoundly hospitalized because of insufficient supports. Stop making supports a contest, you ghouls. All autistic people need and deserve more help.
February 27, 2026 at 5:22 AM
Another profound side eye at the #profoundAutism lobbyists—as yet another ND person whom you call “fine” because they could attend college is instead profoundly hospitalized because of insufficient supports. Stop making supports a contest, you ghouls. All autistic people need and deserve more help.
Just because the same group of mostly anti-neurodiversity, non-autistic people keep trying to make #ProfoundAutism happen does not mean the proposed label actually has merit. In fact, the term has the potential to do great harm, as @drstevenkapp.bsky.social details:
www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13...
www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13...
www.mdpi.com
July 9, 2026 at 4:20 AM
Just because the same group of mostly anti-neurodiversity, non-autistic people keep trying to make #ProfoundAutism happen does not mean the proposed label actually has merit. In fact, the term has the potential to do great harm, as @drstevenkapp.bsky.social details:
www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13...
www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13...
The questionable label #profoundAutism has "limited scientific validity and feasibility in everyday practice [as] the term describes autistics whose limited speech or verbal IQ has caused many to underestimate their communication & intelligence."
www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13... #neurodiversity #autism
www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13... #neurodiversity #autism
www.mdpi.com
August 30, 2025 at 10:26 PM
The questionable label #profoundAutism has "limited scientific validity and feasibility in everyday practice [as] the term describes autistics whose limited speech or verbal IQ has caused many to underestimate their communication & intelligence."
www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13... #neurodiversity #autism
www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13... #neurodiversity #autism
PSA: Any time you see Amy Lutz's name in an autism article, please know that article is going to be pushing myths about " #ProfoundAutism," misdirecting parents from useful approaches, painting parents as martyrs, smacking down self-advocates, &/or claiming assisted communication methods are hoaxes.
August 1, 2026 at 6:04 PM
PSA: Any time you see Amy Lutz's name in an autism article, please know that article is going to be pushing myths about " #ProfoundAutism," misdirecting parents from useful approaches, painting parents as martyrs, smacking down self-advocates, &/or claiming assisted communication methods are hoaxes.
Don't fall for the fabricated label "profound autism." Instead, get your information about autism and disability from those communities—where people will think you or your kid are awesome, and will want you to feel the same way.
#autism #ProfoundAutism #neurodiversity #autistic #parenting
#autism #ProfoundAutism #neurodiversity #autistic #parenting
February 17, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Don't fall for the fabricated label "profound autism." Instead, get your information about autism and disability from those communities—where people will think you or your kid are awesome, and will want you to feel the same way.
#autism #ProfoundAutism #neurodiversity #autistic #parenting
#autism #ProfoundAutism #neurodiversity #autistic #parenting
"Because of the media's relentless negativity, fearmongering, & pseudoscience in covering autism, “ #profoundAutism " communities are often magnets for parents whose goal is to cure or treat autism, instead of understanding how to support an autistic child."
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/04/crea...
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/04/crea...
thinkingautismguide.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:02 PM
"Because of the media's relentless negativity, fearmongering, & pseudoscience in covering autism, “ #profoundAutism " communities are often magnets for parents whose goal is to cure or treat autism, instead of understanding how to support an autistic child."
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/04/crea...
thinkingautismguide.com/2025/04/crea...
"The concept of ' #profoundAutism ' is deeply problematic. It risks reinforcing dehumanizing assumptions—that the absence of speech equates to an absence of thought, agency, or interiority, & that Autistic people with CSN are–as the Lancet Commission claims—'unable to advocate for themselves.'" 1/2
December 24, 2025 at 6:02 AM
"The concept of ' #profoundAutism ' is deeply problematic. It risks reinforcing dehumanizing assumptions—that the absence of speech equates to an absence of thought, agency, or interiority, & that Autistic people with CSN are–as the Lancet Commission claims—'unable to advocate for themselves.'" 1/2
As always, the term #ProfoundAutism is BS: "Autism varies broadly in manifestations and autistic people have wide differences in support needs, although these have too much complexity to reduce to simple terms such as 'profound autism' or 'low-' or 'high-functioning.'"
www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13...
www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13...
www.mdpi.com
September 17, 2025 at 8:12 PM
As always, the term #ProfoundAutism is BS: "Autism varies broadly in manifestations and autistic people have wide differences in support needs, although these have too much complexity to reduce to simple terms such as 'profound autism' or 'low-' or 'high-functioning.'"
www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13...
www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13...
Please note: We have since heard from Czech autistic self-advocate parents that the Czech OTA program is just soft-pedaled ABA, and has traumatized autistic children. So, once again, side-eye to the #ProfoundAutism campaigners. #INSAR2026
Czech "Open therapy of autism" (OTA): They consider an autistic child as a child with BASIC HUMAN NEEDS. They avoid saying NO, focus on ways to say yes. They train parents to have attunement, calm voice, NO drilling, and mirroring the child's emotions. (Sounds helpful.)
#INSAR2026 #ProfoundAutism
#INSAR2026 #ProfoundAutism
May 16, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Please note: We have since heard from Czech autistic self-advocate parents that the Czech OTA program is just soft-pedaled ABA, and has traumatized autistic children. So, once again, side-eye to the #ProfoundAutism campaigners. #INSAR2026
We don't need a #ProfoundAutism label; we already have the "Level 3 Autism" DSM label (problematic, sure).
But the campaign for "Profound Autism" is Autism Grievance Parent-led lobbying to dominate the autism narrative and overshadow autistic advocacy and #AutismAcceptance. Reject, counter, repeat.
But the campaign for "Profound Autism" is Autism Grievance Parent-led lobbying to dominate the autism narrative and overshadow autistic advocacy and #AutismAcceptance. Reject, counter, repeat.
October 20, 2025 at 5:01 PM
We don't need a #ProfoundAutism label; we already have the "Level 3 Autism" DSM label (problematic, sure).
But the campaign for "Profound Autism" is Autism Grievance Parent-led lobbying to dominate the autism narrative and overshadow autistic advocacy and #AutismAcceptance. Reject, counter, repeat.
But the campaign for "Profound Autism" is Autism Grievance Parent-led lobbying to dominate the autism narrative and overshadow autistic advocacy and #AutismAcceptance. Reject, counter, repeat.
Talking about bringing in expertise to support people with #profoundAutism, zero mention of autistic people themselves and their lived expertise. SHOCKER. #INSAR2025
April 30, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Talking about bringing in expertise to support people with #profoundAutism, zero mention of autistic people themselves and their lived expertise. SHOCKER. #INSAR2025
Basically, the " #Profoundautism" label is profoundly useless, because "clustering autistic people under an arbitrary, demeaning label erases their individual humanity & needs" plus it shunts those who are nonspeaking &/or intellectually disabled into a medicalized, QoL-free corner of existence. 2/
January 27, 2026 at 3:41 AM
Basically, the " #Profoundautism" label is profoundly useless, because "clustering autistic people under an arbitrary, demeaning label erases their individual humanity & needs" plus it shunts those who are nonspeaking &/or intellectually disabled into a medicalized, QoL-free corner of existence. 2/
ASAN also noted that the Lancet report's mention of the term “ #profoundAutism” was a “sidebar recommendation” and an “administrative classification,” rather than a diagnostic recalibration. (Journalists, are you paying attention? Is this thing on?) 6/
January 27, 2026 at 3:49 AM
ASAN also noted that the Lancet report's mention of the term “ #profoundAutism” was a “sidebar recommendation” and an “administrative classification,” rather than a diagnostic recalibration. (Journalists, are you paying attention? Is this thing on?) 6/
Now at #INSAR2025. We are in a #ProfoundAutism SIG being led by people who understand the issues with the term but want to bring people together who have shared interests and I am HERE FOR THIS. -SR
April 30, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Now at #INSAR2025. We are in a #ProfoundAutism SIG being led by people who understand the issues with the term but want to bring people together who have shared interests and I am HERE FOR THIS. -SR
I'm not going to argue about that destructive ghoul RFK Jr. with people who support him. His plan is to eliminate/disappear/defund disabled people like my high-support autistic son. If you are excited that he supports your niche #autism program—are are many #ProfoundAutism parents—you are complicit.
May 3, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I'm not going to argue about that destructive ghoul RFK Jr. with people who support him. His plan is to eliminate/disappear/defund disabled people like my high-support autistic son. If you are excited that he supports your niche #autism program—are are many #ProfoundAutism parents—you are complicit.
"Autistic people need & deserve better services, especially those of us with the highest support needs. But the term “ #profoundAutism ” doesn’t help anyone. It does not provide useful information about why a person needs support or what supports they need." TY @autisticadvocacy.org. #autism
January 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM
"Autistic people need & deserve better services, especially those of us with the highest support needs. But the term “ #profoundAutism ” doesn’t help anyone. It does not provide useful information about why a person needs support or what supports they need." TY @autisticadvocacy.org. #autism
Green: And also, those requirements, the ones that [the #profoundAutism people are] suggesting—needing access to 24 hour care or being unable to take care of basic adaptive needs, for example—that is not synonymous with intellectual disability or language disability. 32/
March 30, 2026 at 1:58 AM
Green: And also, those requirements, the ones that [the #profoundAutism people are] suggesting—needing access to 24 hour care or being unable to take care of basic adaptive needs, for example—that is not synonymous with intellectual disability or language disability. 32/
Green: …and pushing the concept of autistic self-advocacy as "dangerous anti-science"—when [the #profoundAutism people's] own comment sections are full of anti-vaxxers and pushers of unproven untested potentially dangerous autism treatments. 61/
April 5, 2026 at 4:14 AM
Green: …and pushing the concept of autistic self-advocacy as "dangerous anti-science"—when [the #profoundAutism people's] own comment sections are full of anti-vaxxers and pushers of unproven untested potentially dangerous autism treatments. 61/
It's a dangerous and stigmatising term - #profoundautism
April 30, 2025 at 9:41 PM
It's a dangerous and stigmatising term - #profoundautism