Autism: Is It a Disability?
The question of whether autism spectrum disorder is a sickness or a feature of neurodiversity has generated intense debate, despite the fact that the condition has just recently been diagnosed.
Autism: What is it?
Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder that frequently appears in early childhood and negatively affects a person’s ability to communicate, interact with others, maintain relationships, and exercise self-control. People with autism experience the “spectrum condition” in different ways and to differing degrees. It is characterized by certain actions.
Although autism has no one cause, early identification enables a person to receive the support and care they need, perhaps leading to a happy and opportunity-filled life.
There are indications that the prevalence of ASD is rising. Some have linked this increase to environmental factors. Experts cannot agree on whether there is a true rise in cases or if the rise is only due to more frequent diagnoses.
There is continuous scientific discussion and research about the degree of overlap between autism and intellectual disability, as well as the question of whether autism is largely caused by hereditary or developmental factors. A social debate has also been going on regarding whether autism qualifies as a different kind of disability.
Personally, I consider autism to be a disability.
Tens of millions of individuals who identify as neurodivergent exist in the world, and their awareness of their identity, rights, and the larger community varies.
“The disability community is incredibly joyful. We create families together, share pictures, dance together, and encourage one another.
When autism was initially described, it had a real meaning. It seems like everyone else feels they are, at least somewhat, on the same spectrum now. Many people attribute their “autism” to social incompetence, nerdy or obsessive hobbies, or a little bit of both. Anyway, as a diagnostic term, autism has always been devalued. Many people view autism as just one aspect of “neurodiversity”—a “different way of being”—instead of the severe disability that it actually is.
In spite of its oddly endearing depiction of Nazi collaborator Hans Asperger (whom we all inherit Asperger’s condition), Steve Silberman’s NeuroTribes was heralded upon publication as the definitive account of autism. The book had a key role in popularizing the neurodiversity movement, which views autism as a unique identity.
Read more – Autism’s early warning symptoms
#ReallyAutistic
A thriving online community of “neurodivergent” individuals has developed. Many people who claim to be autistic now identify primarily with the hashtag #ActuallyAutistic, despite the fact that many have not received a professional diagnosis.
In actuality, self-diagnosis is routinely promoted and commonly accepted. Similar to this, the neurodiversity movement stresses a “social” as opposed to a “personal” approach to learning. Additionally, the neurodiversity movement promotes a “social” rather than a “medical” interpretation of disability, arguing that the former is more inclusive, accepting, and less stigmatizing.
De-medicalizing a serious disease such as autism inevitably leads to people using it in the same manner that they use transgender identities to get a much-vaunted victim status and boost the egos of the narcissistic and needy. The true sufferers of autism are consequently ostracized.
In the neurodivergent community, headbanging, screaming, wearing diapers, several A&E trips because of epilepsy, and uncontrollably violent outbursts are not typically addressed. The current wave of identity-first neurodiversity supporters frequently chastises parents of children with serious autism for speaking out about their difficulties, frequently using harsh language.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is not limited to Asperger’s Syndrome
Originally divided into autism and Asperger’s syndrome, the two conditions were included together in the DSM-V, the most popular diagnostic tool for mental illnesses. This was a huge mistake, in my opinion. “Autism” is a way too general phrase.
To put it mildly, there is a stark difference between the neurodivergent online community, which often presents itself as an autism community and a gauge of autistic sentiment, and the kind of autistic individual you might see at a special-needs school.
Internet Patterns
People with autism and neurodiversity, who can frequently pass for neurotypical in the online community, wear their conditions almost as fashion accessories. In the form of “stim dances,” which are posted on YouTube or social media, “self-stimulating” repetitive motions like flapping and rocking that can be calming for those with autism are celebrated.
A self-described “neurodiversity expert,” John Elder Robison, claims that “neurodiversity stands as the civil-rights issue of our day.” For someone like Robison, autism is like being black in a white-dominated world. Not any disorder, but a prejudiced society is what keeps autistic individuals back.
The Way Autism is Seen Around the World
Cognitively capable autistic speakers frequently highlight the benefits of neurodiversity and the different “gifts” that autism offers in long articles and at large conferences. Concurrently, a large number of individuals suffering from severe autism are confined to their rooms, isolated from the outside world, and confined to a realm of their own limited, frequently childlike obsessions.
When autistic people disagree with the neurodiversity narrative, they are labeled heretics and face witch hunts on social media that resemble cults. Longtime opponent of neurodiversity and autistic identity politics Jonathan Mitchell frequently gets angry phone calls, emails, and threats of death.
The author of To Siri with Love, Judith Newman, has come under heavy criticism for saying that she had considered having her autistic son get a vasectomy because she was afraid of the outcome. His illness might have made it difficult for her to fulfill the responsibilities of fatherhood.
Final Thought
It’s time for society to examine autism with greater objectivity. It’s improbable that some people find comfort in acknowledging and even celebrating their autism. But this isn’t always the case for many autistic individuals, their parents, and caretakers.
Above all, autism is a disability, not a personality characteristic.