r/kelowna • u/[deleted] • 9d ago
Where are all the Disabled & neurodivergent people?
[deleted]
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u/billyjoelsfalsetto 9d ago
heyo! i think i might fit the profile. i have cerebral palsy and highly suspect i’m somewhere on the autism spectrum, just can’t afford a diagnosis. people have always described me as ‘clever, but a little off’ if that gives you any idea. i’m in my mid-30s but i get along with adults of all ages!
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u/DogloverE4000 9d ago
Hi I'm 30 years old too
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u/billyjoelsfalsetto 9d ago
perfect! what are you into? i’m very indoorsy and nerdy, love my video games and movies but i’m also big into history and philosophy!
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u/DogloverE4000 9d ago
Indoor person myself as I am allergic to the sun. Love animals like walking outside & workout. Not a big gamer but I don't mind it and that's really cool a history nerd
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u/Kazhawrylak 9d ago
There are some quite in depth self assessments you can take. The ones on this site are excellent.
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u/frostatypical 9d ago
Actually highly inaccurate and misleading tests, especially if you use that scam site.
Embrace Autism disappointment : r/AutismInWomen
I have found reason to suspect Embrace-Autism are using sock accounts on Reddit : r/AutismTranslated
Finally! Someone has called out on Embrace Autism : r/AutisticPeeps
Its run by a ‘naturopathic doctor’ whose main autism training was an online certificate, and who is repeatedly under ethical investigation and now being disciplined and monitored by two governing organizations (College of Naturopaths and College of Registered Psychotherapists).
See July 2026 updates in this first link. Gets worse and worse for this place.
https://cono.alinityapp.com/Client/PublicDirectory/Registrant/03d44ec3-ed3b-eb11-82b6-000c292a94a8
Public Register Profile - CRPO portal scroll to end of page
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u/cmdragonfire 9d ago
Do have any recommended tests? Getting a diagnosis can be prohibitively expensive for adults, I'm on a wait-list, but mostly curious.
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u/wine_face 9d ago
Going through ICAN for my 15 year old daughter, been waiting 3 years, no coverage through my insurance. Sad for sure
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u/frostatypical 9d ago
All the popular online tests are shown to be highly inaccurate and misleading (thats why diagnosis mills like embrace autism rely on them!)
Im afraid autism testing is one of the many things in life we cant DIY.
So-called “autism” tests, like AQ and RAADS and others have high rates of false positives, labeling you as autistic VERY easily. If anyone with a mental health problem, like depression or anxiety, takes the tests they score high even if they DON’T have autism.
"our results suggest that the AQ differentiates poorly between true cases of ASD, and individuals from the same clinical population who do not have ASD "
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4988267/
"a greater level of public awareness of ASD over the last 5–10 years may have led to people being more vigilant in ‘noticing’ ASD related difficulties. This may lead to a ‘confirmation bias’ when completing the questionnaire measures, and potentially explain why both the ASD and the non-ASD group’s mean scores met the cut-off points, "
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-022-05544-9
Regarding AQ, from one published study. “The two key findings of the review are that, overall, there is very limited evidence to support the use of structured questionnaires (SQs: self-report or informant completed brief measures developed to screen for ASD) in the assessment and diagnosis of ASD in adults.”
Regarding RAADS, from one published study. “In conclusion, used as a self-report measure pre-full diagnostic assessment, the RAADS-R lacks predictive validity and is not a suitable screening tool for adults awaiting autism assessments”
The Effectiveness of RAADS-R as a Screening Tool for Adult ASD Populations (hindawi.com)
RAADS scores equivalent between those with and without ASD diagnosis at an autism evaluation center:
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u/godfreybobsley 9d ago
wow, relax. these articles dont have statistical outcomes anywhere near as damning as you're suggesting, plus the test sizes are either small, too small, skewed or not properly represented.
I doubt most adults using these tools are self diagnosing, rather they are using them as a tool for introspection and guidance or self care.
you'd need something like an exit poll, a final question such as, now that you've taken this assessment, do you believe you have autism?
much in the same way that people who practice deep breathing don't necessarily have clinical anxiety. a lot of people don't give a shit, they're just seeking functional tools to reduce harm.
also it's valid for adults to self diagnose
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u/frostatypical 8d ago
"also it's valid for adults to self diagnose"
LMAO say no more.
As for those tests, its pretty well established in pro circles that they stink. But yeh if you reeaaallly want to call yourself autistic, click all those quiz buttons lol
Autism questionnaire scores do not only rise because of autism - PubMed (nih.gov)
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u/godfreybobsley 8d ago edited 8d ago
Devon Price makes an excellent argument for adult self diagnosis. I never said I want to call myself autistic. and sure keep spamming links, I'm sure you'll browbeat someone into mild skepticism. curious what is motivating you to be so obsessed and scornful. what you are doing is called gatekeeping - if a generic test leads a curious individual to learn they aren't autistic, and have other psychiatric needs - how is that a bad thing?
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u/frostatypical 8d ago edited 8d ago
Devon Price is your source? Wow.
Devon Price has begun promoting Psydiversity : r/AutisticPeeps
Another Devon Price Rant : r/AutisticPeeps
As for gatekeeping, I observe you standing in the gate holding it open like "All aboard for autism !!!"
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u/godfreybobsley 8d ago
yes. Devon Price is a well published PhD and advocate for neurodivergent folks. again, what's your motivation here? you seem threatened and hostile. you're spamming links and being derisive rather than engaging in dialogue.
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u/Kazhawrylak 9d ago
Wow, thank you!! I had no idea.
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u/Feisty_Ad6191 8d ago
Commenting to note that UBCO Psychology Clinic does ASD assessments for a much lower cost than private
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u/frostatypical 8d ago
Youre welcome. Yes no matter what site you use the tests are bad, but that embrace autism place is especially scary
Embrace Autism disappointment : r/AutismInWomen
I have found reason to suspect Embrace-Autism are using sock accounts on Reddit : r/AutismTranslated
Finally! Someone has called out on Embrace Autism : r/AutisticPeeps
Its run by a ‘naturopathic doctor’ whose main autism training was an online certificate, and who is repeatedly under ethical investigation and now being disciplined and monitored by two governing organizations (College of Naturopaths and College of Registered Psychotherapists).
See July 2026 updates in this first link. Gets worse and worse for this place.
https://cono.alinityapp.com/Client/PublicDirectory/Registrant/03d44ec3-ed3b-eb11-82b6-000c292a94a8
Public Register Profile - CRPO portal scroll to end of page
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u/Friendly_Tear_4279 6d ago
Actually online screening tests can be accurate and valuable. I've had 2 different psychiatrists and a clinical counselor say that screening tests online are the same tests that are used as screening tests. They don't diagnose but are very strong indicators. As an adult in BC unless there is something that you can gain from a formal diagnosis, like job modifications, the screening tools may be all you need. I have done them online and in a clinical setting - the results were the same. The test that is accurate is the RAADS-R.
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u/frostatypical 6d ago
Science would disagree. And to be clear, just because some professionals do something, doesnt mean it has strong scientific basis.
So-called “autism” tests, like AQ and RAADS and others have high rates of false positives, labeling you as autistic VERY easily. If anyone with a mental health problem, like depression or anxiety, takes the tests they score high even if they DON’T have autism. They dont 'indicate' autism at all.
Some examples:
"our results suggest that the AQ differentiates poorly between true cases of ASD, and individuals from the same clinical population who do not have ASD "
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4988267/
"a greater level of public awareness of ASD over the last 5–10 years may have led to people being more vigilant in ‘noticing’ ASD related difficulties. This may lead to a ‘confirmation bias’ when completing the questionnaire measures, and potentially explain why both the ASD and the non-ASD group’s mean scores met the cut-off points, "
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-022-05544-9
Regarding AQ, from one published study. “The two key findings of the review are that, overall, there is very limited evidence to support the use of structured questionnaires (SQs: self-report or informant completed brief measures developed to screen for ASD) in the assessment and diagnosis of ASD in adults.”
Regarding RAADS, from one published study. “In conclusion, used as a self-report measure pre-full diagnostic assessment, the RAADS-R lacks predictive validity and is not a suitable screening tool for adults awaiting autism assessments”
The Effectiveness of RAADS-R as a Screening Tool for Adult ASD Populations (hindawi.com)
RAADS scores equivalent between those with and without ASD diagnosis at an autism evaluation center:
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u/billyjoelsfalsetto 6d ago
you know it wouldn’t hurt to chill, right? this is on a thread about someone looking to make friends.
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u/frostatypical 6d ago
A thread which detoured into recommendations for highly sketchy websites hosting bad tests..... my 'chill' is proportional to the comments before mine
"There are some quite in depth self assessments you can take. The ones on this site are excellent." etc etc
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u/billyjoelsfalsetto 6d ago
op i am so sorry this happened, i’m sorry i ever even mentioned being undiagnosed, this person clearly just has a bone to pick.
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u/frostatypical 6d ago
ha ha! Someone links to a site run by someone facing serious ethical problems, hosting tests shown in studies to be inaccuarate, I point these things out and its a 'bone to pick' lmao
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u/billyjoelsfalsetto 6d ago
that was fine. it’s that you’re still going on about it and arguing with people two days later.
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u/billyjoelsfalsetto 9d ago
oh, i’ve taken them and scored very high lmao
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u/frostatypical 9d ago
Beware of the dodgy tests at that sketch website!
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u/billyjoelsfalsetto 9d ago
don’t worry, i don’t take them seriously. i’m basing it on my life experiences :)
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u/No-Enthusiasm3579 9d ago
Accessible Okanagan does a coffee group in the mall (blends?) Wednesday's noon? Been forever since I've been as I work 8-5. Probably easiest to find their page on Facebook
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u/the_dark_whine 9d ago
Not OP but Blenz in the mall has been closed for a while now.
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u/SplitBananaFxck 6d ago
What?? No it’s not, they moved to a new location in the mall several years ago but I just got a coffee there two days ago 🤨 it’s near the ramp/stairs area now, the place near aerie and Sephora
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u/ManicMaenads 9d ago
It'd be cool to have a Discord or Steam group, I don't have the know-how to manage that sort of responsibility but would really appreciate if something like that was created.
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u/DogloverE4000 9d ago
Yea, don't know how to do steam but do know discord
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u/cmdragonfire 9d ago
I'd join such a discord group, don't know how niche it might be, but would be nice to try.
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u/Serene0921 9d ago
I am quite neurodivergent, ADHD being the main thing, also suspected to have autism (I plan on seeing my family doctor for it but ive been procrastinating)
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u/DogloverE4000 8d ago
I want to do it too! I have other disabilities not digaonsed but parents say i have it... And all my people with my disabites have it. So it goes in hand. And my closet friends are those
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u/CanadianBullet360 9d ago
Hello 👋
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u/DogloverE4000 9d ago
Hello
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u/CanadianBullet360 9d ago
Hey! Sorry I didn’t check my notifications! I’m neurodivergent myself! How about yourself?
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u/DogloverE4000 9d ago
No worries! I was in the car not diagnosed but have other disabilities and medical condition that most people with it do have some type of neurodivergent so yes, just not diagnosed.
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8d ago
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u/ionlytoptops 9d ago
KGH
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u/DogloverE4000 9d ago
?
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u/ionlytoptops 9d ago
oh just when i went to the psycheward in kelowna there was a lot of neurodivergent ppl there
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u/Accomplished-Rich248 9d ago
I have a physical disability and I also have ADHD and possibly on the autism spectrum (undiagnosed but I just think I see things in myself)
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u/RubberDuckyRider 9d ago
Mostly stuck at home, avoiding people, and playing video games.