Deficit, difference, or both? Autism and neurodiversity.
Abstract
The neurodiversity movement challenges the medical model's interest in causation and cure, celebrating autism as an inseparable aspect of identity. Using an online survey, we examined the perceived opposition between the medical model and the neurodiversity movement by assessing conceptions of autism and neurodiversity among people with different relations to autism. Participants (N = 657) included autistic people, relatives and friends of autistic people, and people with no specified relation to autism. Self-identification as autistic and neurodiversity awareness were associated with viewing autism as a positive identity that needs no cure, suggesting core differences between the medical model and the neurodiversity movement. Nevertheless, results suggested substantial overlap between these approaches to autism. Recognition of the negative aspects of autism and endorsement of parenting practices that celebrate and ameliorate but do not eliminate autism did not differ based on relation to autism or awareness of neurodiversity. These findings suggest a deficit-as-difference conception of autism wherein neurological conditions may represent equally valid pathways within human diversity. Potential areas of common ground in research and practice regarding autism are discussed.
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Many neurodiversity advocates are still in favor of intervention when it is provided in a respectful manner, focused on teaching useful skills, and improves subjective quality of life.
“Although the neurodiversity movement has advocated for a shift away from the medical model’s foundation for autism intervention, many neurodiversity advocates are still in favor of intervention when it is (a) provided in a respectful manner, (b) focused on teaching useful skills, and (c) improves subjective quality of life (Chapman & Bovell, 2020; den Houting, 2018; Kapp et al., 2013).”
From Neurodiversity and Autism Intervention: Reconciling Perspectives Through a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention Framework (2022) · cites this paper as Kapp et al., 2013
Parents are more likely to endorse wanting a cure than Autistic individuals themselves, and parent-led advocacy groups are more likely to align with cure narratives.
“Differing perspectives on “curing” autism have divided the community, with parents being more likely to endorse wanting a cure than Autistic individuals themselves and parent-led advocacy groups more likely to align with cure narratives (Carey et al., 2019; Kapp et al., 2013).”
From Neurodiversity and Autism Intervention: Reconciling Perspectives Through a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention Framework (2022) · cites this paper as Kapp et al., 2013
Those who self-identified more strongly with the concept of neurodiversity tended to view autism itself more positively.
“Kapp et al. (2013) noted that those who self-identified more strongly with the concept of neurodiversity tended to view autism itself more positively.”
From Experiences of autism acceptance and mental health in autistic adults (2018) · cites this paper as Kapp et al. 2013
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References 74 · Cited by 1,263
- Authors
- Kapp, S. K., Gillespie-Lynch, K., Sherman, L. E., & Hutman, T.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Venue
- Developmental Psychology
- Published
- 2013
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 59-71
- ISSN
- 0012-1649 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-0599
- OpenAlex
- W2124715426
- Cited by
- 1,263
- References
- 74
- Citations by year
- 2026: 237 · 2025: 183 · 2024: 126 · 2023: 164 · 2022: 100 · 2021: 95 · 2020: 159 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 7
- FWCI
- 8.84
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Developmental Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (R01-HD40432)
- FPR-UCLA
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Disability Rights and Representation
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, neurodiversity movement, medical model of disability, deficit model, autism identity, autistic people, parenting practices, human diversity
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Autistic Disorder, Awareness, Child, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Online Systems, Predictive Value of Tests, Parenting, Cultural Diversity, Young Adult, Self Report
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