title: Autism as a natural human variation: reflections on the claims of the neurodiversity movement.
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.
authors.affiliation: Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden. pier.jaarsma@liu.se
authors.forename: Pier
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaarsma
authors.forename: Stellan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Welin
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002961:Civil Rights; D003469:Culture; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D035862:Vulnerable Populations