Community views of neurodiversity, models of disability and autism intervention: Mixed methods reveal shared goals and key tensions.

Abstract

Lay abstract: What is already known about the topic? Some people support the neurodiversity movement and other people criticize it. They often disagree about what the neurodiversity movement means. Confusion about what the neurodiversity movement is makes it hard for people to agree about how best to support autistic or disabled people.What does this article add? We studied autistic and autism community members' views on the neurodiversity movement and autism interventions. Most participants supported the neurodiversity movement. Support for the neurodiversity movement was related to wanting to change society and make places more comfortable for autistic people. Neurodiversity supporters felt autistic children should choose their own intervention goals and that autistic adults should help children choose goals. Neurodiversity supporters did not think autistic people should be taught to act less autistic. Both those agreeing and disagreeing with the neurodiversity movement said that it is important to help autistic people be well. Many participants said that society causes all the difficulties disabled people experience. Yet they were somewhat open to helping people grow by teaching them useful skills and trying to cure depression and epilepsy.Implications for practice, research or policy. To better help autistic people, we should listen to participants in this study. They called for improving society, building more spaces where autistic people feel comfortable and helping autistic people lead change. They warned against teaching autistic people to hide their autism. Critics of the neurodiversity movement should read this article to better understand what neurodiversity movement supporters believe. By taking time to learn from one another, we can work together to better support autistic people.