Disability isn’t a bad word. Yet, sometimes, neurodivergence is seen — or even sold — as a superpower alone. When this happens, these words come in as a refreshing reminder:

“We are expected to accomplish great things to justify our oddness, and because we possess an enviable, socially prized quality, it’s assumed we need less help than other people, not more.” ( Source: Unmasking Autism 📖)

Here are some perspectives on disability & ableism — from the neurodivergent community itself >

🎤 “Most of our families who have experienced Asperger Syndrome say that it can be both a disability and a gift. Asperger Syndrome is a social difference that requires ongoing social support throughout a person’s lifetime. However people with Asperger Syndrome are also usually very honest, reliable and dedicated people who offer original creative thinking to solving problems and are sometimes exceptionally talented and gifted in specialised areas.” (own bolding, Autism Spectrum Anonymous)

Here some super insightful posts on social media:

(also cause in such a diverse field we want to get curious about different experiences & wordings by the content creators and self-advocates out there 😊)

• Autistic traits are human traits (IG, @christinedoyle.ie)
• Sometimes encouragement is ableism (IG, @spottherapyhub)
• 6 ways being autistic is disabling (IG, @neurodivergent_lou)
• Disabilities are disabling (IG, @_ellawillis)
• 7 signs you might have internalized ableism (IG, @method.creative.mpls)
• A personal post on internalized ableism — by a leading content creator (IG, @autisticthought)
• Lateral ableism: High Support Needs autistic people are not ‘setting the community back’ (IG, @lozzagilbert)
• My perspective on the social model of disability . . . (IG, @getaway_autist_mobile) + “If I woke up tomorrow…and the world was as accommodating and neuroaffirming as it could possibly be…I would still struggle” (IG, @neurodialectical)

Let’s stay mindful and expand our vocabulary :)

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