The Online Autism Culture

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K, so I've been a member of WP since 2004-ish, earlier under the handle "Sophist." I used to spend a ton of time on here and other (now defunct) forums like AFF and some of the other WP spin-offs, including my own, Gestalt.

Back in the day I was familiar with vague concepts of Neurodiversity and the culture that was growing from venues like WP. While I didn't support the idea of "no intervention" I did have gnawing complaints about ABA given the amount of time it takes from a child's life, as well as other ridiculous and untested (potentially dangerous!) treatments like chelation, etc. So, basically, ND philosophy in moderation I guess?

I've been much less involved in the online community since I went to grad school and trained as a researcher. And I'm now a postdoc, soon-to-be professor, who studies autism and related issues. I kinda went into my own little hole for quite a few years and feel like much of what's happening in the online community has passed me by with exuberant speed. For instance, I wasn't familiar with the advocacy term "ableism" and felt like a twat when another autie on Twitter basically accused me of being an ableist. Admittedly, my perspective has changed much because I'm also part of the research culture, I get that. I've also had a chance to communicate with parent communities who, in a "previous life," I would've simply labeled "pro-cure" and huffily been on my way. I realize they're in pain too and we're all basically wanting the same things, we just disagree on the best ways to achieve that.

Anywho. I'm just curious what WP member's perceptions are of the larger online community, concepts like Neurodiversity, aspects of advocacy, "ableism," and the current state of medicine and science as it refers to autism. I realize that's insanely vague and far-reaching, but I feel so out of touch and would enjoy feedback from folks who're still in the thick of it.

Thanks!

Way oversimplifying things I believe in the concept of neurodiversity that is accepting that autistic traits in a person that do not harm oneself or others are not wrong.

Neurodiversity is much more accepted in the mainstream media then in 2004 and there are a lot of autistic TV and movie charactors now.

Ableism comes from racism. Racism is thinking another race is inferior, ableism is the belief the disabled are inferior to the not disabled.

There is still a lot of disagreement as to what level if any level of impairments are needed to say a person is autistic.

I feel there is too much of very prelimanary research bieng touted as breakthroughs.

Obvoiusly to understand what is going on online you need to spend a lot of time online just reading.