Autistics are a new type of people

Other View vs Mainstream View

Some people believe that "Autistics are a new type of people". Let's look at the pros and cons of this idea:

1. Pros: Autistic people think and behave differently from most people. Their brains process information in unique ways, leading to distinct strengths and abilities.
   – Cons (Mainstream View): Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain functions. However, autistic people are still part of the human species, sharing the same basic biology as everyone else.

2. Pros: The apparent increase in autism diagnoses in recent years could suggest that a new type of human is emerging, with a brain wired for the demands of the modern world.
   – Cons (Mainstream View): The rise in autism diagnoses is largely due to increased awareness, broader diagnostic criteria, and better detection methods. Autism has always been a part of the human condition.

3. Pros: Autistic people bring valuable diversity to society. Their unique perspectives and skills in areas like pattern recognition, intense focus, and systematic thinking contribute to innovation and problem-solving.
   – Cons (Mainstream View): While autistic people have strengths, they also face significant challenges in areas like social interaction and communication. Autism is a disability that requires support, not a separate or superior type of human.

4. Pros: Autistic traits like exceptional memory, attention to detail, and heightened senses could be seen as evolutionary adaptations that enhance survival and reproduction in certain environments.
   – Cons (Mainstream View): Autism is not an evolutionary advantage overall. Many autistic individuals struggle with daily functioning and independent living, which would be a disadvantage from an evolutionary perspective.

5. Pros: If autism represents a natural variation in human brain development, it could be a sign of increasing diversity and complexity in the human species over time.
   – Cons (Mainstream View): Autism is a neurological difference, but it is not indicative of a new stage in human evolution. The human brain has always been diverse, and autism is one of many variations that have existed throughout human history.

Terms

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties with social interaction, communication, and restricted or repetitive behaviors. Autism occurs on a spectrum, with individuals exhibiting a wide range of symptoms and severity.

• Neurodiversity: The concept that neurological differences like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia are natural variations in human brain wiring, rather than disorders or deficits. Neurodiversity advocates view these differences as part of the normal spectrum of human diversity.

• Evolution: The process by which living organisms change and develop over generations through the inheritance of genetic variations. Evolutionary theory suggests that traits that enhance survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed on to future generations.

Analogy

Saying autistic people are a new type of human is like saying people with red hair are a new species. While autistic people have some distinct traits and abilities, they are still fundamentally human, just as people with red hair are. An autistic person and a non-autistic person can have a child together because they belong to the same species.

History

1. 1943: Leo Kanner publishes a paper describing "autistic disturbances of affective contact" in children, providing the first clinical description of autism.

2. 1944: Hans Asperger independently describes a group of children with similar traits, later known as Asperger's syndrome.

3. 1980: "Infantile autism" is added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III), officially recognizing autism as a distinct diagnosis.

4. 1987: The DSM-III-R expands the definition of autism and recognizes Asperger's syndrome as a separate diagnosis.

5. 1990s: Autism is increasingly understood as a spectrum disorder, encompassing a wide range of symptoms and severity. Diagnosis rates begin to climb.

6. 2013: The DSM-5 merges all subcategories of autism into a single diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

7. 2020s: Autism is increasingly viewed as a lifelong neurotype associated with both challenges and strengths. The neurodiversity perspective, which frames autism as a difference rather than a disorder, gains wider acceptance in society.

How to use it

1. A parent of a newly diagnosed autistic child can use this knowledge to reframe their understanding of autism. Instead of seeing it as a devastating illness, they can learn to appreciate their child's unique way of thinking and perceiving the world. This perspective can foster greater acceptance, empathy, and support for the child's development.

2. An autistic employee can share this information with their employer to advocate for accommodations and inclusion in the workplace. By explaining that autism represents a different way of processing information and interacting with others, they can help their employer understand and value the unique contributions that autistic employees bring to the table. The red hair analogy can make the concept more relatable and easier to grasp.

3. A psychology student can use this framework in a research paper exploring different perspectives on autism. Contrasting the "new type of human" view with the mainstream medical model can provide a foundation for a nuanced discussion of the evolving understanding of autism. The historical timeline can help contextualize how scientific and societal attitudes towards autism have shifted over time.

Facts

• Approximately 1 in 44 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls, although this disparity may partly reflect underdiagnosis in girls due to differences in presentation.

• An estimated 2.21% of adults in the United States, or over 5.4 million people, are on the autism spectrum, based on 2020 census figures.

• Around 44% of autistic children have average to above-average intellectual ability, challenging the misconception that autism is always associated with intellectual disability.

• Some major corporations, such as Microsoft, SAP, and JPMorgan Chase, have implemented specialized hiring programs to recruit and support autistic employees, recognizing the unique skills and perspectives they bring to the workforce.