Critical Neurodiversity Framework

What are the implications of the Neurodiversity paradigm for research?

With the uptick in neurodiversity-lite and the uncertainty brought on by an emerging self-definition, it can be challenging to leverage Neurodiversity to produce humanizing research. Here are a few tenets that have guided my practice which I offered in my most recent talk:

Critical Neurodiversity:

• Is a critical framework designed to trouble ‘normal’ in all its forms

• Shifts the critical gaze away from the disabled bodymind towards structures and systems of power

• Views neurotypicality/neuro-normativity as a system of power

• Recognizes neurotypicality as a historically situated and socially reified construct which privileges certain ways of being while marginalizing others

• Recognizes neurotypicality as one aspect of an interlocking system of power which reinforces and is reinforced by gender, race, class, etc.

The Neurodiversity Paradigm emerged from the autistic community in the 90’s as a way to talk about their experiences to each other. It is the autistic community’s language for their experiences. It also directly builds upon the work of feminist, Black feminist, queer, and disability studies scholars - all of whom directly trouble what we think of as ‘normal’. 

Neurodiversity is a critical paradigm. Neurodiversity is a queering paradigm. It is not meant to be neutral.

Thus, Neurodiversity Research:

• Focuses on systems of power 

and the mechanisms which reinforce them

• Troubles false neutrality 

of the medical model of disability & scientific research

• Attends to the problematic history 

of research that has been produced about neurodivergent folx

• Is not neutral 

and invites researchers to engage in reflection of their own positionality

• Actively works to include and amplify

the voices and perspectives of neurodivergent folx who have historically been excluded from the research process

Neurodiversity Research DOES NOT:

Reinforce ‘Otherness’

by comparing ND folx to some neurotypical standard/ performance

Reproduce Trauma Narratives

by emphasizing harm, damage, or other deficit-based narratives 

Engage in a surface-level application

by using the language of neurodiversity while ignoring its tenets

Present as neutral or ‘objective’

as research neutrality is directly troubled

Ignore historical context

as neurodiversity research directly attends to the history of dehumanization

These are examples of neurodiversity-lite and are a misuse of Neurodiversity. 

For those interested in advancing Neurodiversity Studies as an emerging field of scholarship, I highly recommend Neurodiversity Studies, edited by H. Rosqvist, N. Chown, & A. Stenning and the Routledge Handbook of Critical Autism Studies edited by D. Milton and S. Ryan. Both are fantastic resources.