lecture 8- autism

what is neurodiversity

• umbrella term for civil right movement of neurological minority

• subset of biodiversity

• political term

2 models of diasbility

medical & social

2 limitations of both models of disabilty

1. simplistic

2. doesn’t explain differences in autism well enough

medical model

• focuses on impairment & what can be done to fix them

• wants to fix a disabled person or provide special services for them

1 strength of the medical model

informs legislation so creates avenues for support

2 limitations of the medical model

• sees the individual as a problem: focuses on impairment & not social/environmental factors

• unsupportive: too much focus on what a person can’ do instead of can

social model

• model created by disabled people

• autism = different way of being

• disability & impairment = different

• people don’t have a disability instead they experience it

• autistic people are excused from society because they experience environmental/institutional/attitudinal barriers

environmental barriers

stressors

institutional barriers

restrictive laws

attitudinal barriers

discrimination

2 strengths of the social model

• preferred model by autistic people

• removes barriers in society so autistic people can integrate more fully

3 studies for autistic people’s preferred language

1. english speaking autistic communities prefer identity 1st language (eg: ‘autistic people’)

2. UK study: language preferences changed based on profession but always preferred language that makes autism seem part of natural diversity & not a deficit

3. autistic community prefers ‘condition’ rather than disorder (de-stigmatising language)

how to avoid ableist language

take a more social and not medical approach

what is the universal theory of autism

tries to explain how one factor/combination of factors explains autism in all autistic people

2 ways bio-markers are reliable

• sensitive: if its found in all autistic people

• specific: if its only found in autistic people

6 things that makes an autism theory good

1. concrete predictions which lead to rigorous tests

2. interpretation not just description of evidence

3. detailed explanation of pattern of characteristics

4. causal account

5. alignment with basic scientific truths

6. informed by community perspectives/priorities