Pathologising

There is a Zen Koan that asks "if a tree falls in a forest and nobody hears it, does it make a noise?"

So,

I'll answer that from what might be a quantum physics, a philosophical, a political and a personal (late diagnosed autistic) perspective.

Unless something is measured it doesn't exist - but that doesn't stop a tree falling on someone's head from causing severe injury!

The need to define these things has come about because individuals in society are experiencing problems that society is not resolving.

Patterns can be seen to be emerging.

How big a tree fall has to take place before society pays attention to it?

Phased said:

How big a tree fall has to take place before society pays attention to it?

This will depend greatly on who it falls on (ie are they important enough, sufficiently appealing to peoples sympathetic nature etc) and who it inconveniences.

If lots of quiet, unobtrusive autists were to start passing by their own hand then it may make a brief news article but only once somebody important or famous does it will the media make a fuss.

Even then, will it motivate the vast majority who are not affected to take any sort of action? I doubt it.

It will have to impact enough people (or some important people) in some tangible way for action to be taken.

The impact we seem to be having is through being a drain on the benefits system and I don't think this is seen as a positive thing. 

I'm open to ideas on how to raise out profile in a way that will win us some sympathy or recognition of deserving more.

Recognition? I suspect this would involve some form of autistic and neurodiverse union and solidarity and collective action.  Research indicates that individuals with autistic traits are over-represented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions compared to the general population.  These fields are all (I hate to use the term but you know what I mean - ) "wealth generating".  I would suggest that those autistic people with positions of power in these areas might collectively exercise it in such a fashion to leverage neurotypical society to a socially more equitable and globally safer and healthier fashion.

Sympathy - not sure that I as an autistic person want that because I am autistic.  The history of modern human society is based on being "one up" on another person/nation with occasional lapses into recognition that we're all in this together.  All people need to sympathise more in my opinion.

You're absolutely right, they do go hand in hand, it's sad that often those who shout the loudest about human rights rarely accept the responsibilities that go with having rights. Having human rights isn't the same as having everything your own way.

I wonder if one of the ways forward could be to identify the areas where ND's are underrepresented and work on what need to happen to get better representation? I wouldn't want to go down the route of having all ND shortlists for jobs or anything like that, whilst I understand why this has happened in other areas,particularly in terms of female representation, I think it leads to insecurity and more back lash. If I get a job, I want to know that I'm there by merit and not a tick box exercise.

What areas do you feel we're underrepresented in? I'd guess politics, but it would seem that everyone who's not a legal professional is underrepresented. I would of thought law could appeal to ND's who like rule following, if not criminal law then conveyancing, family courts and comercial.

Point taken - however I do think there is such a thing as good and bad.  Somewhere to base this on?  Everyone has human rights and moral behaviour needs to reflect these.

Point taken - however I do think there is such a thing as good and bad.  Somewhere to base this on?  Everyone has human rights and moral behaviour needs to reflect these.

You're absolutely right, they do go hand in hand, it's sad that often those who shout the loudest about human rights rarely accept the responsibilities that go with having rights. Having human rights isn't the same as having everything your own way.

I wonder if one of the ways forward could be to identify the areas where ND's are underrepresented and work on what need to happen to get better representation? I wouldn't want to go down the route of having all ND shortlists for jobs or anything like that, whilst I understand why this has happened in other areas,particularly in terms of female representation, I think it leads to insecurity and more back lash. If I get a job, I want to know that I'm there by merit and not a tick box exercise.

What areas do you feel we're underrepresented in? I'd guess politics, but it would seem that everyone who's not a legal professional is underrepresented. I would of thought law could appeal to ND's who like rule following, if not criminal law then conveyancing, family courts and comercial.