Deficit, difference, or both? Autism and neurodiversity.

Abstract

The neurodiversity movement challenges the medical model's interest in causation and cure, celebrating autism as an inseparable aspect of identity. Using an online survey, we examined the perceived opposition between the medical model and the neurodiversity movement by assessing conceptions of autism and neurodiversity among people with different relations to autism. Participants (N = 657) included autistic people, relatives and friends of autistic people, and people with no specified relation to autism. Self-identification as autistic and neurodiversity awareness were associated with viewing autism as a positive identity that needs no cure, suggesting core differences between the medical model and the neurodiversity movement. Nevertheless, results suggested substantial overlap between these approaches to autism. Recognition of the negative aspects of autism and endorsement of parenting practices that celebrate and ameliorate but do not eliminate autism did not differ based on relation to autism or awareness of neurodiversity. These findings suggest a deficit-as-difference conception of autism wherein neurological conditions may represent equally valid pathways within human diversity. Potential areas of common ground in research and practice regarding autism are discussed.

The life and times of 'Asperger's Syndrome': A Bakhtinian analysis of discourses and identities in sociocultural context

“…Hart's (2014) observations would seem to support Kapp et al's (2013) reports of "the false dichotomy between celebrating differences and ameliorating deficits" (p.67) in the discursively mediated real world experiences of people living with AS and autism.…”

“…Kapp et al (2013) report for example that "autistic individuals endorsed a relatively essentialist biological attribution of autism" (p.66). This is, I suggest, another reason for the ineffectiveness of 'neurodiversity' as a challenge to normalcy and as an anti-ableist discourse.…”

“…In this way, 'neurodiversity' can be understood as a problematic attempt to hybridise the medical and social models in order to accommodate, simultaneously, the experience of being and having autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Kapp et al (2013) represent this as an "emerging deficit-as-difference conception of autism (describing it as) a substantial overlap" (p.59) or "convergence of the social and medical models" (p.66) "wherein neurological conditions may represent equally valid pathways within human diversity" (p.59). From my perspective however, this research and the notion of "deficit-as-difference" reflects the persistent, prevailing hybridity of 'neurodiversity', the centripetal-centrifugal struggles to reshape heteroglossia as community members draw upon its discursive resources for their own living ends, as well as the enduring authority of a medicalised conception of autism to underpin even its apparent alternative framing as 'neurodiversity'.…”

Knowing me, knowing you: perspectives on awareness in autism

“…He described the possible diagnostic criteria for 'neurotypical disorder' such as excessive concern about what other people think of them and a delusional belief in the ability to read others' minds (https://neurotypicalsyndrome.wordpress.com/2011/08/04/nt-syndrome-diagnostic-criteria). While producing good-natured humour, Mark's analysis was also a thought-provoking way of highlighting the pejorative nature of deficit-focused labelling of characteristics that many (though by no means all) consider part of natural human variation (Kapp et al, 2013).…”

“…We use these terms to reflect those used in the positive reframing of autistic identities through the neurodiversity movement (e.g. Kapp, Gillespie-Lynch, Sherman & Hutman, 2013). The introductory address by Richard Brown, CEO of Autism Sussex, put into relief some stark figures on access to employment and services for adults with autism.…”