Rejecting the Stigmatizing and Ableist Narrative Regarding Autism

Rejecting the Stigmatizing and Ableist Narrative Regarding Autism

Regardless of a person’s nervous system profile, diagnosis, and/or level of required support, all people uniquely contribute to our society. Autism is not a disorder. Instead, people with autism experience naturally occurring and unique nervous systems. Diversity within, and across, our population allow for a variety of contributions, unique perspectives, abilities, and ways of processing information—all of which enhance our collective experience!

Furthermore, autistic people display numerous impressive strengths that warrant recognition and celebration. They present with self-generated compensatory strategies, a wide array of interests, and a strong desire to be successful. While it is typically more difficult for people with autism to intrinsically understand how other people may think and feel, they genuinely care about the wellbeing of others and are indeed socially motivated—they might simply express their compassion in less obvious ways.

Disorders and functional impairment can occur when an autistic person’s environment poorly fits their regulation needs. For example, people with less obvious autistic nervous systems typically socially camouflage via actively employing strategies to appear “neurotypical.” People that socially camouflage dedicate a significant amount of energy assimilating, compensating and/or masking their social and behavioral differences when interacting with other people within their communities. Most of the time, people are not consciously aware that they are engaging in social camouflaging behaviours; regardless, social camouflaging behaviours can be a highly effortful and tiring coping strategy. Other people present with more traditional autistic traits and are tasked with navigating additional areas of difficulty related to communication barriers as well as possible academic or occupational outcomes, as examples. Regardless of one’s autistic phenotype, if left unsupported, autistic people may feel:

• emotionally and/or physically dysregulated,
• disconnected from their own bodies,
• lonely,
• anxious,
• angry, and/or
• depressed

All these possible difficulties indeed impact the daily functioning on an autistic person, but the traits of autism themselves are not the underlying problem; instead, the lack of understanding, support, and accommodations cause day-to-day difficulties.

Subsequently, self-identifying as autistic and/or receiving a formal diagnosis may offer individuals a sense of re-assurance and validation that their experiences differ compared to most of their peers. Thorough and affirming assessments can help identify individualized accommodations and supports. Individualized assessments can also help people with autism learn whether they experience one, or more, co-occurring diagnoses (e.g., Intellectual Developmental, Language, Specific Learning, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity and/or mental health disorders). Clearly, every person is dynamic and complex whereby people with autistic nervous systems are represented in countless areas within our society. Some examples include (a) daycares, (b) mainstream, modified, alternative, and intensive support programs within elementary and high schools, (c) universities, (d) assisted living communities, and (e) retirement homes.

Autistic individuals are not required to further develop their social skill strategies; instead, they typically benefit most from strategies that support their regulation needs and the opportunity to choose when, and if, they desire to implement certain skills. Ultimately, when humans are able to make conscious decisions about their own actions and outcomes, there is a greater likelihood that they can participate in experiences that are aligned with their personal values and routinely live more fulfilling lives.

Notes:

• While many people who are autistic prefer identity affirming labels and refer to themselves as “autistic”, other people who have received this diagnosis prefer person centred terms such as “person with autism.” Language is powerful and both preferences should be taken into consideration. Therefore, both ways of phrasing are referenced within this blog entry.
• A wonderful resource to learn more about this perspective is outlined in the book titled Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism by Barry M. Prizant (2015). This book outlines the everyday challenges faced by autistic people and looks at how the people in their lives, from family members to teachers, can support and encourage autistic people as they work towards living fulfilling lives.

 

Blog Post by: Chantalle Hunt, Psychologist with Wildflowers