Autism and Neurodiversity

The neurodiversity perspective can be described as a movement that sees neurocognitive variation as a difference rather than a deficit. Although the neurodiversity movement is frequently associated with autism, it is also supported by advocates with other disabilities such as dyslexia, epilepsy, hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, developmental dyspraxia, and Tourette’s syndrome. Autistic individuals who embrace the neurodiversity movement emphasize the importance of self-advocacy and of seeing autism as a culture with unique characteristics and many positive aspects.

Autism can be defined as a developmental disorder that results in communication and social impairments or, alternatively, as a natural variation in cognition associated with high intelligence, enhanced memory capabilities, and strong pattern processing. Autism and the neurodiversity movement, which has grown exponentially since the 1990s, continue to inform ...