SZA revealed that she has been diagnosed with high-functioning autism in a post on her burner account, according to Complex. The superstar, whose real name is Solána Imani Rowe, reportedly posted a screenshot of a diagnostic summary to the private account under the handle @notmusicatalIswear.
“Solana Rowe is a…woman who presents with a history, patterning of scores, behaviors, on examination that are quite consistent with autism spectrum disorder. Solana has a qualitative impairment in reciprocal social interaction, as both self-reported and observed by this examiner,” read the post.
What Is a Burner Account?
Secondary private accounts, or burner accounts as they are sometimes called, are commonly called finstas. These pages allow celebrities to communicate directly with fans in a space that is less formal than their larger platforms. SZA is known for her candidness on the @notmusicatalIswear account.
Her blunt communication style has drawn support from her fans there.
Autistic People Are Known to Have Strong Justice Sensitivity.
The Grammy Award-winning performer has criticized the unchecked use of AI in creative spaces on her burner account. She shares opinions in comment sections, often delighting her fans by engaging with them directly. She spoke out on the account about the disproportionate impact of AI on the Black creative community.
“Pretty sure this is why I’m taking AI so personally BTW. And also why I’m in every comment section,” wrote SZA in the comments.
More details about her diagnosis were provided in the post’s caption. “Finally took the time n got formally diagnosed .. asbergers/ high functioning autism,” it read. Asperger’s syndrome, commonly misspelled by many as “asbergers syndrome,” is a defunct medical term, abandoned in 2013. It was previously a diagnostic term used to label behavior that now officially falls under Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The term was named after Hans Asperger. Many considered it deeply problematic given the scientist’s controversial beliefs connected to the eugenics movement.
What Is High-Functioning Autism?
“Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication skills, restricted patterns of behaviors and interests, and specific sensory processing,” according to Frontiers in Psychiatry. The spectrum ranges widely from people in need of constant assistance to those who can manage on their own.
The reciprocity issues described in the post are prominent in the disorder. “Poor reciprocity is one of the defining features of an Autism Spectrum Disorder,” according to the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
High-functioning autism is characterized by an individual’s ability to manage daily tasks with minimal support. It is not a formal diagnosis, but it is frequently used as a descriptor.
Some take issue with the term, finding it offensive and even ableist. Researchers have suggested that the term can prevent certain people who are labeled high-functioning from accessing the care they need due to assumptions about their capabilities.
What Is Pattern Recognition?
The remaining part of the caption described what some deem as a valuable superpower that accompanies an autism diagnosis: pattern recognition. “Stop playing in my face cause pattern recognition told me, and I WILL get to the bottom of it, thanks,” the caption concluded.
Pattern recognition allows individuals to observe, discover, and translate patterns quickly and effectively. It is one of the cognitive strengths associated with autism.
Many in the neurodivergent community post humorous content about how they can decipher lies and trickery through their pattern-recognition skills.
Why is ASD in Girls and Women Difficult to Diagnose?
The CDC reports that “ASD is over 3 times more common among boys than among girls.”
High-functioning cases of autism are difficult to diagnose in women. “Females with high-functioning ASD are diagnosed even later in life as compared to males,” according to Cureus.
This can be due to camouflaging, a behavior sometimes known as masking. “Camouflaging is a broad construct seen more often in females and is described as masking of ASD symptoms with motivation to assimilate,” Cureus reports. “The consequence of camouflaging is mental exhaustion and subsequently heightened anxiety.” Listeners will find references to mental exhaustion and anxiety in several of SZA’s powerful tracks.
Sources
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
