Friday, May 17, 2013

Exploring a train of thought- The problem isn't Autism?

I haven't done this before, but I am going to share with you all an unfinished train of thought. I've been tossing this around in my head for a while. It's still very broad in terms of concepts explored.... but it's a start. 
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I've been wondering, since I honestly believe that Autism is not a "disorder" but instead is a different kind of neurology, where that leaves me in terms of calling it a disability. 

I have tried to identify key things that make an Autistic person different, and then figure out what is behind each thing that is actually in common with a person who is not Autistic (or a "person lacking Autism" which is a phrase I read this week, and L O V E).

So, if (in the case of my kids)......
Meltdowns = not having sensory regulation needs met
Not wanting heaps of social contact = introvert 
Struggling to keep pace at school= system designed in a way that doesn't suit his/her learning style
Stimming= society believes some stims are inappropriate based on some arbitrarily decided-by-no-one-in-particular set of constructs

Then I come to this.....
Theory- autism is not so much a disability in itself, but society disables Autistic people by being unwilling >to accept some differences as part of the normal or >make accommodations to support their needs.

Thoughts?

2 comments:

  1. * So, 'Don't 'dis' my ability' is very meaningful!
    * Glad I'm not a 'person lacking autism'!
    * Still stand by my theory that within a generation, those with a different kind of neurology will be running the world!

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    Replies
    1. You have, of course identified a key issue.... because the obstacle to acceptance often is that in order to get appropriate supports we are forced to sell deficits to funding providers which results in reinforcing negative stereotypes instead of acknowledging strengths

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