--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It seems as though autism is being…" description: "\"“It seems as though autism is being portrayed in literature less as a diagnosis, and more as a minority lifestyle. Sometimes it is even portrayed as a ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/718/thomas-d-taylor-7968_books_it-seems-as-though-autism-is-being-portr_130983.jpg" --- # It seems as though autism is being portrayed in literature… ![“It seems as though autism is being portrayed in literature less as a diagnosis, and more as a minority lifestyle. Sometimes it is even portrayed as a culture or cultural imperative. Much of what is written by “autistics” is actually being written by “self diagnosed” autistics, and no matter who is…” quote by Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/718/thomas-d-taylor-7968_books_it-seems-as-though-autism-is-being-portr_130983.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/718/thomas-d-taylor-7968_books_it-seems-as-though-autism-is-being-portr_130983.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/718/thomas-d-taylor-7968_books_it-seems-as-though-autism-is-being-portr_130983.jpg) > ““It seems as though autism is being portrayed in literature less as a diagnosis, and more as a minority lifestyle. Sometimes it is even portrayed as a culture or cultural imperative. Much of what is written by “autistics” is actually being written by “self diagnosed” autistics, and no matter who is doing the writing (autistic author or self-diagnosed author), plots, characterization, and other elements, are many times being drawn and presented based on observation of “autistics” with unconfirmed diagnoses in informal venues rather than upon observations of real, diagnosed autistics in realistic or controlled settings. The”” [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Autism representation often shifts from clinical diagnosis to cultural identity, with many narratives based on unverified self-diagnoses, raising concerns about authenticity. **In simple terms:** Autism is portrayed more as a culture than a medical condition. Key Takeaway Seek authentic, research‑based perspectives on autism. Themes representation identity culture diagnosis authenticity Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical educational When to use this quote - reading diverse autism narratives - consulting experts - supporting autistic voices Key Concepts sociology medical ethics literary criticism Questions to Reflect On - How can we honor both diagnosed and self‑identified voices? - What standards ensure accurate representation? A Different Perspective May overlook the value of lived experience regardless of formal diagnosis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Autism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/autism/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Unfortunately, by this time it didn't matter. Self-diagnosed autistics and fakers were asking diagnosed autistics whether or not they had a diagnosis, and if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/unfortunately-by-this-time-it-didn-t-matter-self-diagnosed-autistics/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“Alternatively, diagnosed autistics, self-diagnosed people, people in the process of getting a diagnosis, people seeking a diagnosis, wannabees, or misdiagnosed individuals will sometimes call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/alternatively-diagnosed-autistics-self-diagnosed-people-people-in-the/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [Often autism is portrayed in the media as a very negative condition, as something that prevents somebody from communicating or from socializing or from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tammet/often-autism-is-portrayed-in-the-media-as-a-very-negative-condition/) [Daniel Tammet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tammet/) > [“In reality, if they are autistic, they may either identified as:   ◦         High-functioning, or ◦         Low-functioning   by their physicians. But diagnosed autistics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/in-reality-if-they-are-autistic-they-may-either-identified-as-high/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“An additional problem occurs when people may infer they have synesthesia when they really do not, or they may pretend to have it when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/an-additional-problem-occurs-when-people-may-infer-they-have/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“Be that as it may, some of those that would no longer be diagnosed “autistic” today were diagnosed on the autism spectrum and accepted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/be-that-as-it-may-some-of-those-that-would-no-longer-be-diagnosed/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“I would be remiss if I didn't say a little bit about morally conservative autistics. This group of people often seem to get the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/i-would-be-remiss-if-i-didn-t-say-a-little-bit-about-morally/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“Whom a person in the autism community is friends with is very important. Alliances are forged against people who have certain friends, and these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/whom-a-person-in-the-autism-community-is-friends-with-is-very/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“A counterargument is that nonfunctional autistics who could benefit from a treatment and a cure but elect not to pursue either of them, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/a-counterargument-is-that-nonfunctional-autistics-who-could-benefit/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“If there is one part of the world that should be suffering from severe autism, it is people who live in the vicinity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/if-there-is-one-part-of-the-world-that-should-be-suffering-from/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“And lots of autistics like to play video games. How much electromagnetic radiation are they getting, sitting in front of the TV, and holding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/and-lots-of-autistics-like-to-play-video-games-how-much/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“The person generally agreed upon by many to be the founder of Applied Behavior Analysis, Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas, described autistics as “Little Monsters”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/the-person-generally-agreed-upon-by-many-to-be-the-founder-of-applied/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“To call oneself a journalist when one has no established qualifications is “bad”, but to tack the “autistic” qualifier onto title is worse in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/to-call-oneself-a-journalist-when-one-has-no-established/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“It has happened that a group of autistics, who were considered radical by many, attempted to petition the United Nations to recognize autistics as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/it-has-happened-that-a-group-of-autistics-who-were-considered-radical/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“The amount of bickering that most autistics engage in over politics is probably no greater than the bickering seen between people who do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/the-amount-of-bickering-that-most-autistics-engage-in-over-politics/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) ## More by Thomas D. Taylor > [“Unfortunately, by this time it didn't matter. Self-diagnosed autistics and fakers were asking diagnosed autistics whether or not they had a diagnosis, and if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/unfortunately-by-this-time-it-didn-t-matter-self-diagnosed-autistics/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“Be that as it may, some of those that would no longer be diagnosed “autistic” today were diagnosed on the autism spectrum and accepted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/be-that-as-it-may-some-of-those-that-would-no-longer-be-diagnosed/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“This hardly needs to be stated, but if a faith healer tries to “heal” an autistic person, the implied message is that the “healer”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/this-hardly-needs-to-be-stated-but-if-a-faith-healer-tries-to-heal-an/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“Whom a person in the autism community is friends with is very important. Alliances are forged against people who have certain friends, and these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/whom-a-person-in-the-autism-community-is-friends-with-is-very/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“The person generally agreed upon by many to be the founder of Applied Behavior Analysis, Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas, described autistics as “Little Monsters”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/the-person-generally-agreed-upon-by-many-to-be-the-founder-of-applied/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“Recently, Temple Grandin's mother, Eustacia Cutler, wrote and article that tried to explain why some autistic men seem to have a sexual preoccupation with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/recently-temple-grandin-s-mother-eustacia-cutler-wrote-and-article/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“The problem with this theory is that   ◦         Thimerosal is not mercury itself, but a mercury compound   ◦         Thimerosal is not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/the-problem-with-this-theory-is-that-thimerosal-is-not-mercury-itself/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“Hypersensitivities occur when sensitivities are strongly heightened, many times uncomfortably so. 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Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“It has happened that a group of autistics, who were considered radical by many, attempted to petition the United Nations to recognize autistics as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/it-has-happened-that-a-group-of-autistics-who-were-considered-radical/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“To call oneself a journalist when one has no established qualifications is “bad”, but to tack the “autistic” qualifier onto title is worse in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/to-call-oneself-a-journalist-when-one-has-no-established/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“The amount of bickering that most autistics engage in over politics is probably no greater than the bickering seen between people who do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/the-amount-of-bickering-that-most-autistics-engage-in-over-politics/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“Assuming aliens do exist, the only problem with scientifically proving the genetic connection between autism and aliens is that no alien DNA has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/assuming-aliens-do-exist-the-only-problem-with-scientifically-proving/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“Some really do want to prepare themselves, and in these cases, the preparedness is primarily emotional. They want to love that baby as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/some-really-do-want-to-prepare-themselves-and-in-these-cases-the/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) [Explore all 85 Thomas D. Taylor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) ## More Autism quotes > [“We know that children with autism like order, that they are often very visual and that they can be quite literal. They deserve beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele-devine/we-know-that-children-with-autism-like-order-that-they-are-often-very/) [Adele Devine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele-devine/) > [In fact, when we as neuro-typical people encounter a person with autism spectrum syndrome who's always been that way it is that we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamlyn-tomita/in-fact-when-we-as-neuro-typical-people-encounter-a-person-with/) [Tamlyn Tomita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamlyn-tomita/) > [If you give us a safe vaccine, we'll use it. It shouldn't be polio versus autism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-mccarthy/if-you-give-us-a-safe-vaccine-we-ll-use-it-it-shouldn-t-be-polio/) [Jenny McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-mccarthy/) > [Autism is a big continuum, going from someone who remains nonverbal, all the way up to geniuses on Silicon Valley. And some kids are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/autism-is-a-big-continuum-going-from-someone-who-remains-nonverbal/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [Metaphor isn't just a fancy turn of speech. It shapes our thoughts and feelings, reaches out to grasp new experience, and even binds our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-richardson/metaphor-isn-t-just-a-fancy-turn-of-speech-it-shapes-our-thoughts-and/) [James Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-richardson/) > [The position of Autism Speaks has been for quite awhile that we need to find out what's happening. We know there's a genetic component,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-emken/the-position-of-autism-speaks-has-been-for-quite-awhile-that-we-need/) [Elizabeth Emken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-emken/) > [Some people with autism who don't talk, all they hear are vowel sounds. Like if I said 'cup,' they might just hear 'uh.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/some-people-with-autism-who-don-t-talk-all-they-hear-are-vowel-sounds/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/children-must-be-taught-how-to-think-not-what-to-think/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [Mild autism can give you a genius like Einstein. If you have severe autism, you could remain nonverbal. You don't want people to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/mild-autism-can-give-you-a-genius-like-einstein-if-you-have-severe/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [“The autistic mind is not the wave at the surface of the ocean, but the whole world that exists below.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krissy-bells/the-autistic-mind-is-not-the-wave-at-the-surface-of-the-ocean-but-the/) Krissy Bells > [In the person with autism, the brain may already be seeing the part and be less distracted by the whole, and in the person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-baron-cohen/in-the-person-with-autism-the-brain-may-already-be-seeing-the-part/) [Simon Baron-Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-baron-cohen/) > [I think that the definition of autism is too broad. 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Self-diagnosed autistics and fakers were asking diagnosed autistics whether or not they had a diagnosis, and if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/unfortunately-by-this-time-it-didn-t-matter-self-diagnosed-autistics/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) [Browse all 621 Autism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/autism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It seems as though autism is being portrayed in literature less as a diagnosis, and more as a minority lifestyle. Sometimes it is even portrayed as a culture or cultural imperative. 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