Expertise and credentials aren’t the same thing

Generally speaking:

  • It’s possible to have credentials without being an expert.
  • It’s possible to be an expert without having credentials.

Some specific examples

  • Someone with Special Autism Training isn’t necessarily an expert in communicating with autistic people
  • It’s actually likely that they’ve been thoroughly taught to be incapable of doing so
  • People with rare medical conditions often know things most doctors they encounter don’t
  • Someone with a college degree might not know as much as someone who studied the same subject privately

This doesn’t mean credentials are irrelevant – but they only tell you so much. Don’t confuse them with expertise.