With the silence of a thousand cries: extremes of autistic advocacy

Abstract

In the past year, I have observed a growing trend toward extremes of autistic civil rights advocacy, at least partially characterized by disdain for scientific research and knowledge alongside a preference for lived experiences. This concerns me, an individual on the autism spectrum and someone who desires to help autistic individuals through the psychological study of autism. Hence my intent here: to discuss and bring attention to this situation. In so doing, I hope to create civil and respectful dialogue on the subject. I will conclude by discussing implications and potential actions which might bring about positive outcomes.

Building Bridges: On Effective Weather Communication to, and with, Vulnerable Populations

“…Although it is unrealistic to expect that the needs of all populations will, or even can, be met, weather messengers should be aware of and focus on needs in each of several broader categories of individual psychobiological difference (the physical, auditory, visual, and cognitive domains), as appropriate for day-to-day and particular severe weather situations. Our work, together and with other colleagues, dating to 2015, has focused on matters related to autism spectrum conditions (Bolton, 2018a(Bolton, , 2018b(Bolton, , 2018cBolton et al, 2017;Bolton & Blumberg, 2015; and color vision (Bolton & Blumberg, 2015;Bolton & Mogil, 2018a, 2018bBolton et al, 2016;Bolton et al, 2019).…”

“…Vision-limited and blind individuals do not seem to share the consensus views of Deaf people, that they share group norms (Hopfe, 1999;Pierce, 2008), while many on the autism spectrum do believe in a shared culture. Autistic people, further, prefer a variety of terms in reference to themselves and autism itself (Bolton, 2018c;Kapp et al, 2013;Kenny et al, 2016).…”

“…These are highly complex but important matters with which to be familiar; they could mean the difference between successful and unsuccessful community engagement. Hence, for readers interested in gaining further perspective, we have provided several references (see Bailin, 2019;Baron-Cohen, 2017Bolton, 2018c;Clements, 2019;Elder Robinson, 2017;Salman, 2019;Zolyomi & Tennis, 2017). Readers may also contact us for further discussion.…”

Brief Report: Exploring Some Aspects of Social Activism in the Online Autistic Community

“…Given participant geographic distribution, results might also have been affected by cultural differences in social norms or understanding. Another important consideration is the perceptions of autistic people towards science, reflected in the ways people in the online autistic community respond to and participate in research (e.g., Bolton, 2018;Guest, 2019;Musikar, 2018;Pellicano et al, 2014).…”

Improving Prejudicial and Stigmatized Views towards Autistic People in the Weather Enterprise

“…Lest we be left behind, weather professionals must recognize that diversity encompasses many more variables than just race and gender; and must, furthermore, acknowledge and then work to change their own biases against autistic and other neurodiverse individuals. This starts with changing the terms we use to reference autism (e.g., using the less-stigmatizing autism spectrum condition instead of autism spectrum disorder; see Bolton 2018). Then, it is contact theory-not anti-bias training (which doesn't work; see, e.g., Belluz 2018)-that may provide the best framework for this endeavor.…”