Summary for the TL DNR folk: The terms neurotypical and neurodiverse have utility. The OP should relax about the rest.
mahfouz wrote:
if autism is a spectrum, and we value neurodiversity, why do we operate on these forums with this binary: neurotypical | autistic
I don't think people here do, but it might appear that way because people are trying to come to grips with their own neurologically based issues or those of people close to them. In that context, it really makes sense to use these terms to try to deepen understanding of what autism is and how to make the best of it.
mahfouz wrote:
isn't the point of a spectrum to blur where the line is drawn?
No.
The point is to recognize that there is a range of traits, behaviors and symptoms that make sense grouped together as "autism" and that are different in specific and similar ways to the diverse range of traits and behaviors that are seen in neurotypical people.
mahfouz wrote:
isn't the point of diversity to recognize how different every mind is, based on genetics, family, experience, choices, etc.?
I am not sure that the concept "diversity" can meaningfully be said to have a point. But no, the utility of the term "neurodiversity" does not come from rendering all distinctions meaningless and looking at all humanity as an undifferentiated mass of difference.
There are meaningful and useful distinctions to be drawn between typical neurology and various divergent neurologies including autism. As someone who only became aware of my own autism in the last 12-18 months, I have found these labels and terms very helpful in understanding myself and others. Not using these terms would not be helpful.
mahfouz wrote:
i understand we are trying to describe patterns (it has been helpful for me to utilize this framework already) but while i am enjoying reading these forums i almost feel compelled to fit in or not fit in, to come to a decision to accept a label or to not, and then to manage new expectations of who i am and what that means,
Describing patterns--patterns that actually exist and have direct meaning in peoples lives--is exactly what it's about and it's very useful. I don't think most people care if you fit in or not. Try to relax a little about all this and accept yourself for yourself. If something that people are saying is helpful, take it in, otherwise let it go.
mahfouz wrote:
i guess interrogating any category of meaning, any binary, ends up with absurdity in the end, so maybe i should just let it be, and enjoy the space as it exists …. what does neurodiversity mean, and what kind of society do we want to live in?
Yes, let it be.
To me, "neurodiversity" means recognition that there are brains with "normal" states that are not typical and that that is OK. We are entitled to be what and who we are.
What kind of society do I want to live in? Easy: I want to live in "The Culture" as described by Iain Banks. Unfortunately, that's fiction. If it wasn't people would be able to choose their neurologies and change them at different phases of their long, long lives.
Back in the real world, I want to live in a culture of rights and responsibilities in which people's differences are respected and accommodations are made for those that need them. I want to live in culture that rewards productivity without creating poverty and I want people to try to be decent to each other.
Thanks for this post Adamantium - I found your responses really very helpful indeed.
07 Feb 2016, 4:47 am
