Originally published November, 2021
First off, I am newly self-identified, so I am still learning about myself and about the wider neurodivergent community.
Secondly, I speak only for myself. Autistic people are not a homogenous group, there exist a variety of perspectives, opinions, and experiences amongst individuals. I do not speak for others.
It’s up to the individual to decide what terminology they feel fits them best, so please respect that person’s choice.
Why I use identity-first language
Why I say I’m Autistic, rather than I have ASD, or Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Many Autistics do not feel they are disordered, so ASD or “spectrum disorder” does not sit well. I’m divergent, as in my neurobiology diverges from the statistical norm, that’s all.
Note that when people speak about “having” a condition, it’s usually in reference to something negative. Somebody might have cancer or asthma or diabetes, because those are medical conditions that negatively impact a person’s life.
“Some people resent the suggestion that the word for their disability is so distasteful that they should hold it at arm’s length, like it’s a dead fish.” — C.L. Lynch
Many of us consider autism another neurotype in a world full of various neurotypes. The world needs variety, it’s important for the health of the species, just like biodiversity. That’s one of the ways the neurodiversity movement got its name: based on work by Judy Singer, Harvey Blume, and other Autistic advocates.
My son and I are both 2e, meaning gifted with a disability. We say he’s gifted, we don’t say he has giftedness. Why? A lot of it likely has to do with the positive connotations associated with gifted intellect. This despite the fact that it’s a neurodivergence, just like ADHD or Autism, that comes with its own set of struggles (but I digress).
If you think of a bell curve, approximately 5% of the population are considered outliers. Well, approximately 6–9% of people are thought to have ADHD, it’s estimated 2–3% of people are Autistic, and only 2.5% of the population is considered highly or profoundly gifted.
So why are some neurotypes valued and idealized, while others are considered less-than?
No really, I’m asking.
Why are some neurotypes valued while others are considered less-than?
The spectrum concept has been misunderstood
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