New eBook: The Autism Culture Wars
What philosophers such as Freire, hooks, Táíwò, and Chapman can teach us about cultural revolution and resolution
Brief disclaimer
The eBook and related articles are based on a paper I originally wrote for a University rhetoric course. I have made efforts to edit it to make them easier to read, so I hope you enjoy.
The story behind these articles
I have two undergraduate degrees — well, one is a College diploma from a 3-year full-time Child and Youth Work (CYW) program, and the other is a 3-year bachelor of arts in Psychology.
I completed my CYW in 2006 and my BA Psych. in 2009.
This year I decided to return to University at the age of 40 to upgrade my undergraduate degree to an advanced degree in order to pursue post-graduate studies.
When I was registering for courses, my priority was classes which were available online and would fit with my work schedule and family life. I just so happened to stumble upon two which fit the criteria and also piqued my interest: a Language Policy & Planning (LPP) course and a Rhetoric, Writing, & Communications (RWC) course.
Those who have followed my work may have noticed I enjoy written communication and critical discourse, so I felt a rhetoric class would be a great fit. Thankfully I was right, and I was very lucky to encounter a fantastic professor. I genuinely enjoyed the course and its content.
As we moved through the course towards our final presentations and papers, I felt I could use what I was learning and apply it to current, relevant situations I — as part of the Autistic community — have been writing about and working through (and which the community has been grappling with for decades).
I am under no illusions that I have all the answers; scholars much more knowledgeable and experienced than myself continue to ponder and confront these highly complex issues.
I am grateful to be in a position to play even a very small part in strengthening our community and working together towards collective liberation. As such, I humbly share my perspectives, based on the works of academics and philosophers whose works have changed advocacy work for the better.
All in a Row
In February of 2019 a culture war within the Autistic community was rekindled by a theatrical performance, a play called All in a Row. The play itself was performed in the United Kingdom (UK), but its impact was felt internationally. All in a Row is about a small family: a mother, a father, and their 11 year old son. Their son, Laurence, is Autistic.
His role is played by a puppet, while the rest of the cast is played by live actors. The entire play occurs over the course of one day and illustrates the struggle of the parents, Martin and Tamora, to find the best way to care for their son who requires a lot of support.
After All in a Row’s opening night the divide in the Autistic community was immediately clear. Many who saw the performance took to social media, blogs, wrote letters to the editor, and posted reviews to share their reactions — none of which were mild. On one side were those who praised the play as raw, honest, even warm. On the other side, reviewers called the play grotesque), horrifying, dehumanizing, and ableist.
This chasm separating two strongly opposed perspectives is not new in the Autistic community, and was certainly not created by this play. All in a Row was merely a catalyst, providing a concrete target for these pre-existing and long-warring factions.
As the debates over All in a Row illustrate, there is significant discord in the Autistic community when it comes to representation. Who is allowed to represent the Autistic community, and how should autism and Autistic people be portrayed to the general public?
My research explores whether the play All in a Row, and the controversy it ignited in the Autistic community, illustrates incommensurable ideas of what it means to be Autistic and how autism should be understood, described, and portrayed.
The Autism Culture Wars
How anti-oppression philosophies can help us bridge the divide.
In the first of a 3-part series of articles, I outline the weaknesses in the arguments put forth by both sides of the autism debate. I offer my own alternatives for consideration, suggesting new ways of approaching these issues in order to find common ground…
Bridging the Paradigmatic Divide
Anti-oppression philosophy and the autism culture wars: Part 2 of my three-part series of articles on the autism culture wars.
The Neurodiversity paradigm has its own notable weaknesses. While this new approach emerged in the late nineties, and its impact has been strongly felt across the Autistic community…
Bridging the Paradigmatic Divide
Cultural Revolution and Resolution
Neurodivergent Marxism and the autism culture wars: The final of my three-part series of articles.
Having identified extensive issues on both sides of this debate, I turn now to our philosophers and critical thinkers for guidance. I want to know what lessons we can take away from their work and experience to help unite these factions in solidarity…
Cultural Revolution and Resolution
Little self-promotion
I turned this series of articles into an eBook. I also have an online shop with more than 260 different resources related to neurodiversity (in particular Autism and ADHD) and advocacy.
If you enjoyed these articles and know someone else who might also enjoy them, please share! Thank you for your support.
Related articles
Autism Speaks Continues to Misrepresent Itself
Without Community There Is No Liberation
Some Exciting News and a Preview
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Related book review articles
Book Review: Conflict is Not Abuse