There are however, fringe skirmishes in the borderlands.
On the one extreme, we have a handful of “Rainbow People” who, it seems to me, want to define “Autism” as whatever it is that they like about themselves. And who want to expunge the word “severe” from the lexicon.
Rising up against them in inevitable reaction, come a handful of "Angry Young Men" (OK, not all men, and maybe not all young, but I couldn't think of a better phrase) who storm against the idea of Neurodiversity. Again, just my perception, they seem to want to leverage the real hardships associated with autism for their own emotional need for recognition.
Each feels silenced by the other. But they are both factions of the Neurodiversity Movement whether they like it or not, part of the evolving dialogue.
Although both have sides have given me a hard time, I am grateful to them because they define the boundaries of the discourse and help me to critically examine, refine and clarify my thinking.
We all need recognition. Most of us have suffered exclusion, humiliation and disadvantage as a result of our misunderestimated (sic)* neurodivergent traits.
It's not surprising that our coping mechanisms range from rainbow-washing to storming. But...
There can be no rainbows without storms
nor light without dark
Most of us occupy the centre
We simply want more understanding, acceptance and accommodation of
the absolute wonder that is human diversity.
the absolute wonder that is human diversity.
Both sides imagine they are fighting for a bigger share of the same small piece of pie.
That pie is imaginary, folks!
Our Western nations are actually immensely wealthy, creative and adaptive. There is enough for everyone as long as everyone gets a fair share.
We can work together to add more ingredients and make
a Bigger and Better Pie!
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* Misunderestimate (v): to underestimate someone because you misperceive them
What a fabulous word!
As a lover of neologisms, I reckon this perfectly sums up how neurodivergent people have been viewed for far too long. Without a doubt, George W. Bush's greatest contribution to posterity.
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