The Allure of Neurodiversity

Abstract

Neurodiversity" is a term now frequently used to indicate the idea that disabilities, including a range of intellectual and developmental disabilities (e.g., autism spectrum disorder or ASD), are neurological variations among individuals that should be celebrated, not changed. Although it is true that diversity is within the natural continuum of human existence, neurodiversity, a biological reductionist term, has been used to imply a strategy and policy for education and social services for people with disabilities. In the political sense, neurodiversity can represent a rationale for not teaching students with various disabilities alternative behaviors so that they can maximize their human functioning, including social acceptance and opportunities. We discuss the educational and political consequences of this specific notion of neurodiversity.

Adventures in Naming EBD Realities: How Words Matter for Special Education

“…In the public domain, a portion of the public adapts to new terms after some delay. Some people who do not maintain stereotypes or prejudices but are older or distant from university, media, and government spheres may be called bigots for innocently using passe terms like “mental retardation,” “behavioral disorder,” or “autism” (which is now popularly referred to as “neurodiversity”; see Kauffman, Anastasiou, Felder, et al, 2022). Furthermore, changing the name of a condition just for peace of mind may make some people suspicious of the field of study or profession and search for ulterior motives or make light of changing names (Huntington, 2018).…”