- Friday 04 April 2014
- My Account
- Logout
- Register
- Login
- News
- Images
-
Voices
-
Find by writer
- Yasmin Alibhai-Brown
- Rebecca Armstrong
- Memphis Barker
- Terence Blacker
- Chris Blackhurst
- David Blanchflower
- Archie Bland
- Chris Bryant
- Ian Burrell
- Andrew Buncombe
- Ben Chu
- Patrick Cockburn
- Laura Davis
- Mary Dejevsky
- Grace Dent
- Robert Fisk
- Andrew Grice
- Stefano Hatfield
- Philip Hensher
- Ian Herbert
- Howard Jacobson
- Ellen E Jones
- Alice Jones
- Owen Jones
- Simon Kelner
- Dominic Lawson
- Donald MacInnes
- Donald Macintyre
- Lisa Markwell
- Michael McCarthy
- Hamish McRae
- Jane Merrick
- James Moore
- Matthew Norman
- Dom Joly
- Amol Rajan
- Comment
- Campaigns
- Debate
- Editorials
- Letters
- IV Drip
- Archive
- Our Voices
- Commentators
- Columnists
- Democracy 2015
- IV Drip Archive
- Indy docs
-
Find by writer
- Sport
- Tech
- Life
- Property
- Arts + Ents
- Travel
- Money
- IndyBest
- Blogs
- Student
- Offers
Wednesday 2 April 2014
World Autism Awareness Day: Just because a person has a different way of communicating, it does not mean that they are impaired
The myriad of difficulties faced by autistic people are not simply as a result of autism, but are often due to the lack of understanding among others
Autism is possibly one of the most misunderstood cognitive states in modern day society. Over the years the representation (or mis-representation) of individuals within the film industry and within the media has perpetuated many myths associated with the autism population. Films such as Rain Man have certainly raised the awareness of autism, in as much as most people within society will have heard of autism and many will have an opinion as to what it means. Sadly, the reality is that very few have a good understanding of what being autistic actually means to the individual and their families.
Autism is still regarded very much within a medical model - diagnostic criteria and texts related to autism are rife with negative terminology such as 'disorder' and 'impairment'. Rarely do we see a celebration of the fascinating way in which the autistic mind processes information, the abilities that are often found within the autistic population, the value that the autistic person can bring to society. Rarely do we see a social model applied to the autism community.
Rather than assuming that an autistic way of thinking causes problems and is somehow inferior, the social model would urge us to recognise that the myriad of difficulties faced by autistic people are not simply as a result of autism, but are often a result of the lack of understanding among the majority of the rest of the population. That the barriers faced on a daily basis by the individual are not insurmountable, and it is the duty of all involved to circumnavigate those issues with appropriate adjustments, support and understanding in order for the individual to reach their potential.
We are led to believe that autistic people are impaired in their functioning - this is simply not true. Just because a person has a different social skill set, or a different way of communicating to the majority, does not automatically mean that they are impaired. I would argue that autistic people have their own, valid, skill set and that if the Predominant Neurotype (i.e. the non-autistic population) were to make the effort to engage with autistic people with an understanding of that skill set then the imbalanced view of autism may begin to change.
We live in a world that loves to categorise and pigeon-hole. It is impossible (and morally reprehensible) to assume that having an identification of autism means anything other than that the person is autistic. Being autistic does not automatically mean that the person is any less capable as a person than anyone else - in some cases, quite the opposite is true. Nor does it mean that any one autistic person could or should be compared to anyone else.
Each individual with autism is exactly that - an individual. She or he will have their own unique skills profile, strengths, weaknesses, wishes and dreams. It is time that society recognises the potential value of being autistic, and the necessity of learning to understand each individual as a person in their own right.
Dr Luke Beardon is a senior lecturer in autism at Sheffield Hallam University's Autism Centre
-
How would you feel if Remi Gaillard performed his ‘Free Sex’ prank on you?
Rachel Roberts -
Ukip, not Labour, is now Britain’s most working-class party
Chris Blackhurst -
I'm all for lads' mags - a flash of my cleavage and a swish of my hair is sometimes all it takes
Chloe Hamilton -
Just look at the contribution Yashika Bageerathi might have made to Britain. I mean – obviously she had to be deported
Mark Steel -
More than anti-EU, Nigel Farage is anti-establishment – and that’s where his real appeal lies
Mary Dejevsky
-
Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich quits following outrage over anti-gay marriage campaign support
-
Maria Miller expenses row: Cameron continues to back Culture Secretary
-
Yellowstone supervolcano: Videos show animals 'fleeing' but we've nothing to fear
-
Annoyed commuter in Twitter spat with Transport for London
-
Heavy drinkers could receive liver transplants on NHS
-
Princess Anne: Badgers should be gassed
Cumbria: The place to be
Win the ultimate photograph break worth over £2500 in the Lake District, Cumbria.
Summer Austria
In the summer, Austria casts off its iconic icy appearance and turns gorgeously green – its mountains and valleys becoming the perfect playground for sunny adventures.
When was the last time you had a first time?
Find out how a long weekend in York can will stay with you forever.
Dicover Croatia's Adriatic jewel
Heavenly hotels, history and high-drama scenery in Dubrovnik, Croatia's Adriatic jewel
Like father like son - the edit
Browse our polo shirt picks to pair the ultimate in fashion cute.
Win the Westfield spring edit
Your chance to win a spring wardrobe, hand picked by Evening Standard fashion editor Karen Dacre. Tweet or Instagram to win.
Beautiful Bergen, the gateway to the Norwegian fjords
Bergen - a city set amid spectacular scenery which is easily accessible for a fascinating weekend escape.
Far away - and yet close to home - in the beauty of the Norwegian fjords
Only two hours from Britain amid the dramatic scenery and lovely fjords of western Norway, find out more about the Norwegian fjords...
London - Denver: two return flights to be won
We've teamed up with Icelandair to give readers the chance to win two return flights from London to Denver to visit this astonishing city.
This is Kenya….the coast
Kenya’s 490 kilometre Indian Ocean coastline is ideal for a luxury beach holiday. It offers a striking combination of Swahili culture, superb palm lined beaches and colourful marine life.
What can a credit check offer you as a consumer?
Running a credit check is easy and the results can give you a great insight into your financial position through the eyes of potential lenders.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
iJobs General
Construction Solicitor - Bristol
£40000 - £70000 per annum + Excellent Salary: Austen Lloyd: BRISTOL - Construc...
Construction Solicitor - Exeter
£40000 - £70000 per annum + Excellent Salary Package: Austen Lloyd: Constructi...
Nursery Nurse
£45 per day: Randstad Education Manchester: Nursery nurse needed in Stockport ...
Nursery Nurse
£45 per day: Randstad Education Manchester: Nursery nurse needed in Manchester...