Neurodivergence

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All things neurodivergent and relating to the broader neurodivergent community (and communities).

See also this community's sister subs Feminism, LGBTQ+, Disability, and POC

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I am autistic, an autist, not a “person with autism” (beehaw.org)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by rosethornRangerTTV@beehaw.org to c/neurodivergence@beehaw.org

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I don't like being referred to as a "person with autism". I can't just set it down, it's not something I can remove. It is fundamental to the way I interact with the world, right down to how stim enters my brain. If my brain has types of inputs no allistic person can even approach, and methods of processing inherently different, it is an existence no allistic person can reach. There is no version of me that is not autistic.

A "cure" is the same as shooting me and replacing me with someone else.

The type of person I am is autistic. I am autistic.

I know it is a big trend in anarchist spaces to use person first language, but in many situations that just sounds like eugenics to me. Personhood is not some distinct universal experience. There is no “ideal human mind” floating out there in the aether for them to recognize in me.

I get that person first language helps some people recognize that thoughts happen behind my eyes, but if the only way they can do that is by imagining I’m them, I don’t care.

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[–] DarkFox@pawb.social 11 points 3 months ago (1 children)

There are newer types of CBT that are autism friendly/aware, but it's unlikely for your average therapist to 1; be trained in them and 2; be aware of, and able to spot autism in a patient.

I've had multiple therapists and psychiatrists where, despite them having many years experience I was their first autistic patient.

Perhaps it is different elsewhere in the world, but that's how it is in Denmark.

[–] Scipitie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 3 months ago

That's very good to know, thank you for sharing! I have only insights into the behavior therapy arm of occupational therapy due to personal contacts there. I can imagine what you describe though because I heard more than one story of "what's wrong with that doctor/therapist, sending that kid with (insert ridiculous diagnostic)".