Drage blant sauer

  It is said ASC inclusion and acceptance has come a long way in 30 or so years. Closer reading shows the opposite. In the last newsletter of the Norwegian Autism Society (1) they seek new blood to integrate into their leadership and interest groups. With such a promising title as “Will You Contribute to Lead The Norwegian Autism Society Into the Future?” they entice at first glance, for those who wish to make a national difference in how ASC is perceived. Who could say no to that sellout question? This is an opportunity to practice what you preach. To put your money where your mouth is and seek to influence Norway's leading voices regarding autism in a new, more promising direction.  Right? The second line sounds good enough.  “Are you passionate about autism?” What scholar worth their salt wouldn't be? This is our bread and butter, an inclusive world shaped by us, for us. No more being talked over by experts and special educators , or condescended to fo...

  Everywhere I look or read, I get embroiled in linguistic discourse on acceptable terms used to refer to autistic people.   I have written many times on this blog that a change in wordage when referring to autistic people is needed. It is a core issue for me, as language shape thoughts and attitudes towards those deemed Other within society. Otherment is due to linguistic difference and already marginalized people are more marginalized by the words that are applied.  Autist , to my mind, carries too much historical weight to be used in polite conversation. The term itself was coined in 1911 by Swiss psychologist Eugen Bleuler, who derived it from Greek autos ‘self’, referring to schizophrenia in the vernacular of the time. In nearly the century since Ukranian pediatrician Grunya Sukhareva wrote of autism (1925), much has been attempted to better the lives of the autistic population. At least in theory. Seldom are autistic people herded into mental institutions; th...