Will the neurodiversity movement ever be as popular as LGBT

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zer0netgain
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30 Jun 2013, 7:18 am

cathylynn wrote:
gays are 10% of the population. we are 1%. perhaps if we banded together with other groups , we'd have a better chance.


Actually, they aren't even 2% of the population.

However, they are more visible and more "celebrated" than autistic people are.

Maybe if we were prone to be fabulous hairdressers and fashion designers, we'd get more positive attention rather than regarded as an object of pity.



Verdandi
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30 Jun 2013, 7:31 am

zer0netgain wrote:
cathylynn wrote:
gays are 10% of the population. we are 1%. perhaps if we banded together with other groups , we'd have a better chance.


Actually, they aren't even 2% of the population.

However, they are more visible and more "celebrated" than autistic people are.

Maybe if we were prone to be fabulous hairdressers and fashion designers, we'd get more positive attention rather than regarded as an object of pity.


1. Stereotype.
2. Much of that "being celebrated" came from activism. It didn't just happen, and many people still hold extreme views about people with same sex attractions.
3. LGBT includes more than the "G."



The_Walrus
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30 Jun 2013, 3:26 pm

Both zer0's "less than 2%" and puddingmouse's "over 10%" seem to be extreme values. I know 10% is the commonly cited figure, but there doesn't seem to be a great deal of evidence for that figure. The numbers vary an awful lot, presumably because of methodology (e.g. some people have homosexual experiences but still identify as straight, people are less likely to identify correctly over the phone or on the doorstep, etc.), and there's probably under-reporting, but most surveys seem to give answers from 3-7%.

In any case, that's a lot more than for autism.



Verdandi
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30 Jun 2013, 5:56 pm

I think you are correct, The_Walrus.



rdos
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01 Jul 2013, 8:20 am

cathylynn wrote:
gays are 10% of the population. we are 1%. perhaps if we banded together with other groups , we'd have a better chance.


Not so. Neurodiversity quite likely is much more common than gays, so the prevalence is not the primary problem. The primary problem instead is that homosexuality is a welll-defined trait, while neurodiversity is a spectrum of traits. In addition to that neurodiversity has been split up into a large number of DSM labels, intermixed with the result of discrimination,

So the first thing needed in order to succeed, is a definition that's indepedent of DSM.



neilson_wheels
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01 Jul 2013, 9:49 am

I agree that it could be just as common as each other.

The other issues are that homosexuality has and is penalised by direct discrimination and laws where those against ASC's are usually, but not always, veiled and second to other agendas.



foxfield
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01 Jul 2013, 3:14 pm

One question any neurodiversity movement would need to ask itself is what exactly does it want to achieve in terms of the acceptability of autistic behaviours.

Consider a formal business meeting.

In the 21st century it is widely acceptable for a LBGT woman to:
-adopt a masculine dress code.
-have masculine gestures and tone of voice
-When asked about her weekend, speak about her girlfriend that she lives with.
It is generally well accepted that she should be allowed to do these things without fear of ridicule, discrimination or harassment. This is a great achievement for the gay pride movement.

An autistic movement would similarly need to work out what autistic behaviours should be acceptable in a setting such as a business meeting.
Would it be acceptable for an autistic person
-To not make eye contact?
-To stim/rock?
-To refuse to shake hands?
-To not make small talk?
-When asked about their weekend, to talk about their collection of model cars?
-To wear comfortable clothing?

Are any of these behaviours acceptable in a formal business meeting, or should they be suppressed? Will autistic people ever feel truly free to be themselves, or will they always have to suppress some behaviours?

These are difficult questions with no easy answers.



KenG
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01 Jul 2013, 3:30 pm

Image

cathylynn wrote:
gays are 10% of the population. we are 1%. perhaps if we banded together with other groups , we'd have a better chance.
Autistics are 1%, but Neurodivergents are about 15%.
The term "Neurodivergents" includes Autistics, Dyslexics, ADDers, Bi-polars, etc.

If all Neurodivergents, regardless of their specific diagnoses, bring their combined powers into the Neurodiversity movement, then yes, the Neurodiversity movement can be as popular as LGBT.

Will the Neurodiversity movement ever be as popular as pop music?


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