Thread by @AutSciPerson

This thread is why I have very complicated feelings about talking about autism to kids as "a superpower."

I worry that when kids run up against something they can't do, they will feel bad and feel shame because they are not taught that disability is okay.

1/4

https://twitter.com/mykola/status/1411032929753616387

My generation growing up was always fed a "you can do anything you want/put your mind to!" mentality.

And that's just not true. That's not reality. I can't go for a walk and not be in pain. I can't go to loud concerts/conventions without managing my time and energy.

2/4

Like yes, my brain does work differently than neurotypical people. And I think that's fine to say. But also, there are some things I cannot do that NTs can, even if I wanted to & tried really hard.

And that's important to let kids know too.

3/4

Sometimes my ability to hear electrical noise (like a light or microscope being on) does mimic a superpower (no NTs can do it).

But sometimes my hyperacusis is just a disability. Sometimes my fawning response is just a disability.

And that's completely fine too.

4/4

The reason people don't like the word "disability" and either don't want to label their loved ones this way, or don't want to label themselves this way,

is because we are taught that disabled means bad, lazy, ignorant, other, and "not us."

I'm so tired of disability being wrong

As a disabled person with a physical disability,

abled people's perception of my own identification with disability is with ignorance, and is so persistent and exhausting.

Abled people will jump through mental hoops to not let another person identify as disabled.

"oh you don't have a disability, you just can't do X!" or
"oh you don't have a disability, you just need help sometimes!" or
"oh you don't have a disability, come on, you can do this right?" (it will cost me a lot & cause intense pain but it doesn't count as "not being able to")

You do realize that being disabled isn't inherently wrong, right?

Being disabled isn't a moral failing.
Being disabled isn't wrong.
Being disabled isn't something you need to distance yourself from, and pretend like you're not.

Honestly I think a lot of ND people have some internalized ableism to work through.

That is 1 thing having a physical disability has helped me with, and following disability twitter in general, learning that disability is not a bad word.

We need to stop treating it like it is.

After reading the replies to this,

I am even more convinced that people are just using the word "superhero" or "superpowers" to not use the word disability.