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The author mentions problems with speech processing, speaking, sensory overload, sleeping, getting out of bed, eating, smells, textures, and navigation
by JohnBooty 6y ago
The author mentions problems with speech processing, speaking,
sensory overload, sleeping, getting out of bed, eating, smells,
textures, and navigation. None of those problems were created by
society
Your understanding of the neurodiversity movement isn't correct.
Neither the article nor the movement in general claims that society "created" her difficulty performing those things.
The neurodiversity movement points out (correctly, IMO) that lots of people with behavioral "disabilities" are in fact quite able, but need to do things differently and may need accommodations.
It says that autism and other behavioral health issues are not necessarily inherently "bad" (just as being in a wheelchair is not inherently bad) but we fail as a society when fail to accommodate such folks.
Broadly I agree wholeheartedly with this. Ultimately it's a message of ability. It is a movement by and for people who want to achieve and be a part of society. As somebody with diagnosed ADHD this is how I approach things as well. I don't consider it a disability. I just tend to do things a little differently.
A valid criticism of the neurodiversity movement is that it seems to gloss over the fact that, well, often behavioral health issues are genuinely debilitating. A schizophrenic who hears voices in their head would probably not claim that it is some hidden strength.
On the whole though, I think the movement is a good thing. It is ultimately a message of ability and a call for inclusiveness.
- watwut 6y ago> It says that autism and other behavioral health issues are not necessarily inherently "bad" (just as being in a wheelchair is not inherently bad) but we fail as a society when fail to accommodate such folks. You know, when I put on ramp for someone with wheelchair, it is done. It takes some space, alright, but mostly does not affect healthy peoples days. When I am yelled at and get insulted by an autistic because I personally did not done things in the exact required routine, then it is not nearly the same thing. It is not that we should not accommodate people with issues. But pretending these are not issues that dont affect others is not accurate either.
- Tijdreiziger 6y agoWhen you get insulted by a neurotypical person, you'd call that person a jerk. But when you get insulted by an autistic person, the problem is that they are autistic? There are plenty of autists who go through life without 'yelling at and insulting' people.
- JohnBooty 6y agoAgain, the neurodiversity movement does not claim that every single behavioral health issue nor every manifestation of every behavioral health issue is a good thing. I like how this is all about you. "Neurodiversity is b.s. because somebody with autism yelled at me!" In case this is what you need to hear, I am sorry a person yelled at you. That's not fair to you and I am sure it was unpleasant.
- Causality1 6y agoWhat sort of mental gymnastics does it take to convince yourself not being able to walk isn't inherently bad? Not being able to walk is bad. Not being able to fly is bad. Not being immortal is bad. Inabilities are bad regardless of what the "normal" state is. Society and accommodation could make up for 90% of the downsides but being confined to a wheelchair will never be a neutral status.
- aethertron 6y ago> Society and accommodation could make up for 90% of the downsides Why not 100%? For every downside you can come up with, can't you imagine some possible way for society to make up for it? Here's a simple one: calculate the value of whatever the disabled person is missing out on, and pay them a cash compensation.
- Causality1 6y agoHow much are your legs worth to you? Really think about the question. How much would someone have to pay you for you to be happy for them to take them away from you? For me I can't put a number on that. I can't imagine any degree of compensation that would make me glad to make the exchange.
- aethertron 6y agoI can't put a number on that either. I could probably put numbers on very specific things I'd miss out on. But I'd never run out of those.
- JohnBooty 6y agoWhat sort of mental gymnastics does it take to convince yourself not being able to walk isn't inherently bad? Of course it's inherently bad. But it is not necessarily deabilitating -- unless of course you're forced to navigate a world where you can't use your wheelchair, etc.