The fight between those who define autism as a medical condition and those who see it as a mere difference has reached vitriolic levels. Can the two sides come together to support all autistic people?
BY ALISA OPAR
24 APRIL 2019
Both sides make good points, but the animosity does only harm, say many experts who are frustrated by the situation.
“I see many positives in the neurodiversity movement, including fighting for what parents of autistic children want: to get society’s acceptance of them and to get accommodations for them,” says Manuel Casanova, professor of biomedical sciences at the University of South Carolina. But the loudest voices in the neurodiversity camp are causing an “upheaval” by insisting on a strict interpretation of autism and what autistic people need, he says.
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I don't view Asperger's and Autism as being one and the same. Rather, I view Homo Sapiens Sapiens Aspergerensis as being an 'improved' version of Homo Sapiens Sapiens Neurotypicalis. We are Vulcan.The Neurotypicalis are just plain stupid!
They decided to lump us into the Autism category to make themselves feel less stupid!
davknight
Level 8
Jan 15, 2021
0
To me the question whether autism is a condition or a difference is irrelevant. I much rather the debates discuss how to treat autistic people as valuable members of humanity.
Tyrantmike
Level 6
Dec 16, 2020
2
This FIGHT began when Thomas Jefferson advocated for FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND FREE public education..... not only does that require local taxes local facilities but also local ACCESSIBILITY ... thus making transportation of each STUDENT free to an APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL resource THAT INCLUDES MEDICAL SERVICES THAT MAKE STUDENTs safe/transportable @AmmaRE007 has provided a generic link to "reports" about the various "sides" weighing into the public discourse/public DEMAND FROM PARENTS STUDENTs/adults who have been left behind.....not only is public policy DIVIDED over autism people needs but so too is public policy over disabled veterans..... in OUR case how do you educate a amputated limb ? So money is thrown at SOME vets AND pitiful enforcement to hire disabled vets .... if AUTISM is considered a disability; does USA throw money @ parents/students OR FORCE EMPLOYERS TO ACCOMMODATE all needy people into the workplace not to mention HOUSING HEALTHCARE and protection of us all from abuse neglect or taking our money away from us
Larry68Feminist
Level 7
Nov 2, 2020
1
Quite so. Stop fighting and find out what is most needed by autistic people. my impression is that autistic people have a lot to offer society.
rogerbenham
Level 8
Oct 31, 2020
2
exactly. It is called a spectrum because of the great diversity. What may help is to ecducate as to "neural-diversity" . There is a lot of talk of accepting people as they are, but when reality hits the fan, diversity walks out the door. Autistic people do have a truly different wiring of the brain. It is a huge suffering to be gifted with creativity and intelligence and to have their voice taken away. \
I believe in Sweden (I could be wrong) a man created a data entry company that only hired those on the spectrum who loved data entry. They were paid competitive pay and he charged competitive rates to those wanting the service.
When a prospective customer commented that because his employees had special needs surely they did not get full pay to which he replied they should be paid higher as they would not make a mistake which other companies could not promise.
Their "Special Needs" were around how the workplace was structured some worked from home with packets of data downloaded while others came to the office but may have worn headphones etc.
They can be incredibly observant. I was creating a small book using prepositions and the parent had sent in some photos from around their house for me to use. One was of a possum and the ASD point pointed out the gecko in the picture (apart from the possum and the roof the only thing you could see was one glowing eye the size of a pinprick) we enlarged the photo and sure enough there was a gecko hiding under the roof.
Imagine that skill in searching through CCTV footage to find a particular individual.
Find the skill they have and help them explore that if it interests them, (like we would do for any other person) and then make the adaptations needed to help them achieve.
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Posted by altschmerzI was diagnosed with autism by a psychologist after a day of testing, but my current therapist keeps saying she doesn't think I have it (or I'm a "little bit" autistic).
Posted by altschmerzI was diagnosed with autism by a psychologist after a day of testing, but my current therapist keeps saying she doesn't think I have it (or I'm a "little bit" autistic).
Posted by altschmerzI was diagnosed with autism by a psychologist after a day of testing, but my current therapist keeps saying she doesn't think I have it (or I'm a "little bit" autistic).
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