Autistic Blogger calls Temple Grandin ableist and classist

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The terms "Ableism" and "Disableism" seem to be mis-applied. If we follow the models of sexism (people of the opposite sex as "Other"), and racism (people of a different race as "Other"), then both "Ableism" and "Disableism" take on clearer meanings ...

... Ableism expresses contempt toward enabled people. It marks people without disabilities as "Other", and works from the perspective of the disabled. Bashing neurotypicals is an ableist practice.

... Disablism expresses contempt toward disabled people. It marks people with disabilities as "Other", and works from the perspective of the enabled. Bashing autistics is a disablist practice.

Since Temple Grandin has an officially-diagnosed, yet highly-functional disability, calling her an "Ableist" would be inappropriate due to her disability, while calling her a "Disableist" would be inappropriate for the same reason.

So, it would seem that the blogger has either a skewed perspective regarding Temple Grandin, or is herself an Ablist and is expressing her own jealousy toward Dr. Grandin's accomplishments.

Of course, I could be wrong about all of this, but at least I've added my own Cr0.02 to the discussion.

Sorry to nitpick, but did you mean that it would be inappropriate to call her an ableist because she does not bash neurotypicals ?

My son has LFA, and I have not seen / heard / interpreted anything that Dr. Grandin says as being biased and disableist towards individuals with LFA. I have always had the impression that she does not want parents and caregivers to give up, and to presume competence, even if their charges show no outward veneer of even a shred of competency.

I have been impressed and motivated by Dr. Grandin and her mother, Eustacia Cutler, and have read the mother's book, "A Thorn in My Pocket". Well educated (a Harvard grad), and very intelligent herself, Ms. Cutler refused to follow doctors' advise that she institutionalize her 4-yr-old non-verbal daughter and "move on with her own life". 2 years ago, that book saved my sanity. I was going through an extremely difficult phase with my son, and was at the end of my rope. If it hadn't been for the words of advise from Dr. Grandin's speeches and her mother's book, I would have probably have ended up in a lunatic asylum somewhere by now.

I beg leave to disagree with the author. There is nothing disableist about "presuming competency" of LFAs, and / or expecting nothing but the best from them - to the extent of their capabilities. I actually find the author's posting quite disableist if she thinks that LFAs should *not* be expected to live independently and as productive members of society.

I'm a little fuzzy headed right now. The meds are kicking in.

Should we say that people with disabilities should not try for better lives? Should they instead be locked away where enabled people won't be distressed by their presence? If so, then that is disablist thinking. My dad used to say that "ret*ds" and "cripples" (his words, not mine) should stay out of sight and out of the way of everyone else. He was a bigot in many other ways, as well.

Should those of us with an ASD criticize others with ASDs who have struggled hard to earn a degree, get a well-paying job, and achieve a degree of success that neurotypicals seem to be born with? If so, then that is ableist thinking. There are certain minority communities who criticize people who've left the community and become successful as being "uppity" and ashamed of their roots. They show as much bigotry as my dad used to when he was alive.

Seeing two keyboards now gonna goto bed.

Lydia Brown is not a self diagnosed tumbler autistic. She has written dozens of blogs decrying stigmas and the treatment of people at the Judge Rotenberg center who are victimized a lot worse then whatever we are by SJW's on tumbler. You have done what you criticized make a negative association

Have you ever wondered that some might think the same of you? Even if your diagnosis is in golden frames, it doesn't put a golden frame around you.

I normally Like this blog but not once does she provide any source or quote to base any of these accusations off so how am I supposed to take her seriously?

Ugh, never mind, don't want to get into it with anybody.

Last edited by NowhereWoman on 25 Oct 2015, 2:36 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Hi Nowherewoman,

I composed a long response to you last night but was unable to post it as the site kept kicking me out. Just wanted to let you know that - as a parent to a child with moderate / severe autism - I agree with everything you wrote / said.

Hang in there ! You wrote very eloquently, and a lot of the emotions (in addition to the opinions) in your post are emotions that I have felt / continue to feel over / with my son.

Exactly- where is the proof or examples of her being any of these things??

Does anyone agree with her? Could you explain why?

Many of the posts in this thread make it plain why I rarely come around here anymore.

Verdandi - I had noticed your recent post activity. I was glad you were back. You probably don't remember this, but you participated in some of my early threads, during a somewhat confusing point in my life (immediately after being diagnosed). I hope you don't go away again. I particularly enjoy the threads when all the "cat people" post together

That is the community's loss. I have found your posts informative and interesting.
I hope that you continue to come and join forces with others here to help create the place you wish this could be.

As a highly accomplished agent of transformation once said, you must be the change you want to see in the world.

I didn't see anything much wrong with comments in this thread, it seems that some people don't buy into ideas on the linked blog and are posting that.

Or, in true PC crusader fashion, she could just think the statements SOUND LIKE they should be whatever ist the writer is looking for. That's honestly all it takes to smack a label OK.

I have noticed and you are much missed.