Thread by @AMASEdin

This week is #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek!

Like most autistic-led organisations, AMASE strongly supports the celebration of neurodiversity; humankind is stronger, and more interesting, because different people think and experience the world differently.
amase.org.uk/resources/

You don't need to think all neurodivergent people have superpowers to celebrate neurodiversity!

As human beings, we have much to offer whether or not we have extraordinary talents; diversity, and people who process the world differently, are worth celebrating for their own sake.

Neurodiversity is not a name for a collection of labelled neurological differences: it is a term describing the collective cognitive diversity of humans as a species.

It is one manifestation of biodiversity - the variation that gives ecologies their resilience and adaptability.

@scrappapertiger It is true, and important, that being neurodivergent can have very positive effects - both for the individual and those around them, even society at large.

However, neurodiversity would be desirable even if this was not the case, because diversity in general is a positive thing.

Celebrating neurodiversity does not mean refusing to see the difficulties that also come with being neurodivergent. In fact, the neurodiversity movement - the movement for acceptance and human rights for neurodivergent people - is largely a part of the disability rights movement.

There is a place for initiatives promoting neurodiversity in the workplace by emphasising what neurodivergent workers can bring to a company.

We are too often excluded from working for reasons which can not be economically justified.

However, there are dangers in this approach.

Within every neurodivergent population, there is huge diversity. It is true that some autistic people are highly adept scientists, mathematicians and programmers, for example; others have no skills or interests in these areas.

Focusing on particular traits further excludes some.

When promoting the inclusion of neurodivergent people in the workplace, it is vital to avoid promoting harmful stereotypes - and to emphasise the huge variability within these populations.

It is also important to be clear that human beings are valuable whether or not they work.

So please do participate in #NeurodiversityWeek! #Neurodiversity is very much worth celebrating.

Just please be careful with how you use language; beware of promoting stereotypes; and celebrate diversity for its own sake - not just for those times when it adds to economic value.