Autism

I recently went to the movies with my father and brother.

A few years ago, I was formally diagnosed with ASD, and I’ve long suspected my brother might also be on the spectrum. He’s far more sensitive than I am. In fact, he recently quit his job at a factory because of it. But my family refuses to even consider the possibility that he might have autism.

During the movie, he looked like he was in agony: hands over his ears, rocking, clearly distressed. Later, I mentioned this to my father, who revealed he’s been taking my brother to expensive medical clinics abroad (including the Mayo clinic). They’ve diagnosed him with a "neurological hypersensitivity disorder" and want to run costly scans and medicate him. I suggested a simpler, more likely explanation: autism. After all, I was formally diagnosed with it by CAMH (Canadian association of mental health), and my brother is even less social than I am, struggles with sensory issues, and tends to hyperfixate. Instead of spending tens of thousands at this clinic, why not explore this first?

My father claimed he didn’t know or had forgotten about my diagnosis. That’s hard to believe. He wanted nothing to do with my assessment process, but I talked about it nonstop for months before and after. How could he forget?

I could suggest all of this to my brother, but he’s never taken me seriously. We don't really talk much outside of family events. In high school, he was already programming, building apps in C, and even the chess club champion. He got into a great university only to burn out and drop out. Meanwhile, I was the barely passing theater kid who later went into game development (and, for the record, I’m doing great career-wise). But to him, I’ve always been the "dumb one," and his ego won’t let him listen.

At this point, I think the best option is to let it go. It’s not my diagnosis, not my money being spent, not my time being wasted. But watching this unfold is crazy to me. Get the man some loops!