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Health Care Analysis
Published in: Health Care Analysis 1/2012

01-03-2012 | Original Article

Autism as a Natural Human Variation: Reflections on the Claims of the Neurodiversity Movement

Authors: Pier Jaarsma, Stellan Welin

Published in: Health Care Analysis | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Neurodiversity has remained a controversial concept over the last decade. In its broadest sense the concept of neurodiversity regards atypical neurological development as a normal human difference. The neurodiversity claim contains at least two different aspects. The first aspect is that autism, among other neurological conditions, is first and foremost a natural variation. The other aspect is about conferring rights and in particular value to the neurodiversity condition, demanding recognition and acceptance. Autism can be seen as a natural variation on par with for example homosexuality. The broad version of the neurodiversity claim, covering low-functioning as well as high-functioning autism, is problematic. Only a narrow conception of neurodiversity, referring exclusively to high-functioning autists, is reasonable. We will discuss the effects of DSM categorization and the medical model for high functioning autists. After a discussion of autism as a culture we will analyze various possible strategies for the neurodiversity movement to claim extra resources for autists as members of an underprivileged culture without being labelled disabled or as having a disorder. We will discuss their vulnerable status as a group and what obligation that confers on the majority of neurotypicals.
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Metadata
Title
Autism as a Natural Human Variation: Reflections on the Claims of the Neurodiversity Movement
Authors
Pier Jaarsma
Stellan Welin
Publication date
01-03-2012
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Health Care Analysis / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 1065-3058
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3394
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10728-011-0169-9

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