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@punishmenthurts @filmfreak75 @actuallyautistic @autistics

As long as medicine continues to see autism as a disorder, a mistaken deviation from the norm, people will continue to see it as a problem to be solved, rather than as a difference to be understood.

Autistic people are more vulnerable to a range of health issues, and the possibility that we could address this aspect of autism is actually encouraging. (Obviously we would also need to acknowledge that some of our health issues are indirect consequences of stress due to inadequate accommodations etc.) It would allow more autistic people to lead more fulfilling lives. But when autism itself is seen as a disorder to be fixed, as something to be understood in purely negative terms…

I know it’s wrong to evaluate people in terms of what contributions they make to society. But imagine how much more autistic people could do & be recognised as doing if we were seen as worth supporting & accommodating?

Of course the same could be said with regard to all human beings. Properly supporting and accommodating everyone’s needs and potential should be a goal of all societies and would benefit every individual and all communities. But is unlikely to happen, unless maybe if autistic people were in charge… Utopian thoughts.