What does it mean to be neurodiversity affirmative?

Thanks for sharing Autonomistic!

In the article there is a section on the value of disabled lives, however I don’t think that being autistic means I or any other autistic person is disabled. I prefer to use the term neurodivergent as being autistic is actually very enabling. By the way neurodivergent is a neutral term just meaning having a mind that significantly diverges from the neuromajority.

 I am aware that many of us in this autistic community have co-occurring needs/experiences and therefore may identify as disabled. What do you think about this?

Do you identify as disabled? I don’t think it is helpful to automatically assume that our autistic community identifies this way as we are literally neurologically different which naturally comes with so many benefits and to be autistic is my natural way of being.

Thanks for sharing Autonomistic!

In the article there is a section on the value of disabled lives, however I don’t think that being autistic means I or any other autistic person is disabled. I prefer to use the term neurodivergent as being autistic is actually very enabling. By the way neurodivergent is a neutral term just meaning having a mind that significantly diverges from the neuromajority.

 I am aware that many of us in this autistic community have co-occurring needs/experiences and therefore may identify as disabled. What do you think about this?

Do you identify as disabled? I don’t think it is helpful to automatically assume that our autistic community identifies this way as we are literally neurologically different which naturally comes with so many benefits and to be autistic is my natural way of being.

In a perfect 'Autopia' where society would be set up to accommodate the needs of all autistic people and more understanding then maybe we wouldn't be disabled.

'Disability is the experience of any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or have equitable access within a given society.'

The society we are given certainly makes a lot of things very difficult for us autists, as demonstrated on these forums alone! I believe that many autists are at a huge disadvantage. You only have to look at the statistics on rates of employment to see that. Being treated as a misfit and othered can be a daily experience for many autistic people throughout their lives. The sensory environment alone can be very disabling. Sadly autistic people tend to suffer much poorer mental health as a result of many of these factors.

I agree with Debbie that we need the protections and allowances that being classed as disabled affords. This topic has been debated on here a few times before and I have made my own personal view clear then.

Ausomely Autistic said:

I don’t think it is helpful to automatically assume that our autistic community identifies this way

In terms of what the article says then it does state that "It is an Autistic person’s right to choose if they identify as disabled." There is no automatic assumption made. 

I consider myself disabled under the medical model of disability for other conditions, but under the social model for my autism- I will always experience chronic pain regardless of the accommodations made for me, but I would be far less disadvantaged as an autistic person if the world was a more understanding (and quieter!) place. There are specific aspects that would always be disabling, e.g. I often don't realise I'm thirsty, but most things wouldn't be.

I think it's up to the individual to decide whether being autistic makes them disabled; there's no one answer to that question that applies to us all because our needs and experiences are so varied. I see both pros and cons to being autistic myself, but someone whose autistic traits are very different to my own might disagree.

I think being autistic ultimately is disabling, for me anyway. I'll always be autistic and therefore struggle with social nuances and other things.

It's hard to not place my importance of having my meals at a set time (to the point it could be harmful) as anything else.

Ausomely Autistic said:

however I don’t think that being autistic means I or any other autistic person is disabled.

I don't agree.

Being classified as disabled can bring accommodations and benefits that I would rather not go without because others see autism in a very positive light.

One needs to remember that some people (with high support needs, low functioning, level 3, whatever term you prefer) are very 'disabled' and need a lot of help directly due to autism.

People like us do not represent the whole community.