For your consideration, a blog entry I found offensive in its delivery, yet correct in some of the points the doctor wished to express.<\/p>\n
The Neurodiversity Movement<\/a><\/p>\n
http:\/\/corticalchauvinism.com\/2015\/01\/05\/the-neurodiversity-movement-lack-of-trust\/<\/a><\/p>\n
Neurodiversity is a catastrophic movement for autistic individuals in general. It is reminiscent of the early religious accounts of Jewish people claiming the existence of a Messiah who would take them out of oppression, out of slavery, and restore their rightful life in society. Are they “The Last of the Just”? What gives them the right to carry the weight of the autistic community<\/a> on their shoulders? By claiming that autism is not a pain or a handicap to some do they change medicine?<\/strong> Do they erase the existence of seizures, mood disorders, impaired attention, learning difficulties, or sensory abnormalities in a majority of autistic individuals?<\/p>\n
Dr. Manuel Casanova, neurologist and the Kolb Endowed Chair in Psychiatry and Vice Chair for Research at the University of Louisville.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Readers of this blog know I don’t consider myself part of the neurodiversity movement. I simply don’t share their rhetorical flourishes nor their certainty that autism can be a good thing. Repeatedly, I’ve written that I’d be quite happy to be without some of the co-morbid conditions that might (or might not?) be linked to my autistic traits.<\/p>\n
However, the rhetoric of Dr. Casanova is absurd, too. And I agree with some of the underlying claims he wants to advance. But, his blog is not the way to bridge divisions or lead autistic self-advocates towards reconciliation with families of the severely challenged.<\/p>\n
I am not opposed to finding treatments for seizures, migraines, sensory sensitivity (I just ordered new, darker sunglasses), self-injurious behavior, or any number of (sometimes) autistic traits. To assume that all high-functioning individuals oppose genetic research<\/a>, neurological studies, or (gasp!) therapies to address social skills<\/a>, is to further another stereotype about autistics.<\/p>\n
My wife knows and hears me say (constantly) that I do not like much about how I experience the world<\/strong>, and I do not like how it affects her and others around me<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n
But, I also want to be respected and given a chance to prove myself as an artist, writer, technologist, and teacher. Do I struggle? Absolutely. My social skills stink, my ability to read people is impaired, and I am always searching for ways to circumvent my executive function issues. My academic and professional record is proof enough that I don’t seem to last long in stressful situations.<\/p>\n
We need more bridges, not rhetoric like the doctor’s blog.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For your consideration, a blog entry I found offensive in its delivery, yet correct in some of the points the doctor wished to express. The Neurodiversity Movement http:\/\/corticalchauvinism.com\/2015\/01\/05\/the-neurodiversity-movement-lack-of-trust\/ Neurodiversity is a catastrophic movement for autistic individuals in general. It is reminiscent of the early religious accounts of Jewish people claiming…<\/p>\n