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Should autistic people campaign for recognition as a distinct part of humanity rather than be labelled as disabled?

NAS71674

I have stories previously of other groups of people such as Irish gypsies successfully campaigning to be recognised as a distinct subgroup of humanity. Irish gypsies do have a distinct culture (they are wonderful people if you knew them) but they are quite a bit closer to most other people than autistic people are. So rather than be classified as a disability (excluding comorbidity like learning disability, depression etc) should autistic people, who generally have a unique way of approaching life (that is common across most autistic people) campaign for the same thing? In my opinion I don't consider us to have a disability, I think we are really just a very different type of human being with a common identity among all of us who share the so called disability. What are your thoughts?

Parents

  • I think this viewpoint also misses the point that even people who are "neurotypical" have to navigate some situations with difficulties because of variations in personalities, values and beliefs, preferences... the list goes on. 

    I don't think I want to be considered a different type of human. I think the world has enough genocide in its past and present to see the pitfalls of segregation. 

  • in reply to M

    I'm not advocating for segregation. Where are other people getting that from? What I am saying is that I think autistic people are different enough in world view and culture if you like from NT people that it should be recognised a distinct subgroup of humanity we should be facilitated to live our lives how we are built to and not be forced down a NT path and just labelled as disabled.  There doesn't have to be segregation. A NT person "is a" human being and an autistic person "is a " human being. Homosapien is a more complex diverse and beautiful part of the animal kingdom than to just have one set in it.  Are NT people are there is? No there is alot more than that its just not recognised yet. Not segregate but different specialisations of homo sapiens. If that was recognised and facilitated I'm sure the autistic community would be super charged to have an even more productive impact on life in general for everybody. 

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  • in reply to M

    I'm not advocating for segregation. Where are other people getting that from? What I am saying is that I think autistic people are different enough in world view and culture if you like from NT people that it should be recognised a distinct subgroup of humanity we should be facilitated to live our lives how we are built to and not be forced down a NT path and just labelled as disabled.  There doesn't have to be segregation. A NT person "is a" human being and an autistic person "is a " human being. Homosapien is a more complex diverse and beautiful part of the animal kingdom than to just have one set in it.  Are NT people are there is? No there is alot more than that its just not recognised yet. Not segregate but different specialisations of homo sapiens. If that was recognised and facilitated I'm sure the autistic community would be super charged to have an even more productive impact on life in general for everybody. 

Children
  • in reply to NAS71674

    I've got a few points to make. 

    1. Re being forced down an NT path...I get where you are coming from but this isn't realistic. I've got my life set up as it is and need to partake in "NT" society to pay for the house, bills and shopping. 

    2. Who is to say that they speak on my behalf as an autistic individual? Who gets to decide that the autistic community is a distinct part of humanity? 

    3. Where do you draw the line? Everyone has differences (not just neurological). What makes autism special to distinguish it from other differences?

    4. My friend's son is classed as disabled. If he didn't have that "label" he wouldn't be able to get the help he needs in life.

    Maybe I'm thinking more of the pragmatics. How would this even work without segregating people? I think realistically,  it's that there needs to be more awareness and appreciation of individual differences regardless of neurological status,  or any other status. This would then "allow" people to live a life more naturally suited to them.