Is the "spectrum" of today meant to be an inclusive idea of all neuro-divergence? #Autism is stuck in my head as specifically nonverbal

Not quite. It encompasses all autistic folk though! And verbalness isn't fixed for everyone either -- I'm partially nonverbal!

Iirc, the main reason for consolidating the spectrum into one DX is the recognition that function labels are inadequate

And that it's much better for everyone involved to instead speak of supports, to avoid devaluing autistic folx who need more support

I was diagnosed with AS (in a weird case, as it's not even in the DSM anymore) because it appeared to the Dr that I didn't need much support

And because for some reason he had it in his head that it was "better" than being "really Autistic". Which is.... awful, really.