Using a social perspective to autism, I would appreciate if there were a way to classify someone as autistic without calling it a disorder. Yes, we have difficulties, but from a social perspective, a lot of them come from society being structured to meet the needs of allistics. They get guidance, acceptance, and ultimately privilege of a world that is designed for them, while we have to try to meet their expectations. From this perspective, we’re not disordered, but oppressed/marginalized. How does that make us disordered?

I agree that there are different levels of functioning, and that some individuals might meet criteria for a disorder due to autism spectrum characteristics, so that would be valid. However, many individuals would function quite well in a setting that was designed to raise, educate, and accommodate autistic brains.

Anyone have any insight or ideas on this?

  • pizza-bagel@kbin.social
    11·
    1 year ago

    I don’t disagree that neurodivergent people would have a way better time if people/society took them into consideration more. But I am low support needs and still consider it a disorder. My boyfriend has ADHD and agrees. While there are a lot of things that would be fixed by having sensory friendly environments for example, there are still a lot of things about being autistic that hinder me that I wish would go away regardless of what accommodations exist.

      • pizza-bagel@kbin.social
        1·
        1 year ago

        I would highly recommend you stop speaking for other autistic and ADHD people. If you think accommodations can help you with everything, that’s great. I’m not doubting that. But it’s ignorant as fuck to assume that your experience is the one true experience and you already know my entire life experience and autistic traits to be able to correct me like that.

        Let other autistic and ADHD people speak for themselves. We are more than capable.