Thread by @MorenikeGO

Exactly this. Disgusted by @Spectrum’s irresponsible tabloid-style journalism. Intentionally misrepresenting #neurodiversity to fuel this toxic manufactured autism “war” that helps NO ONE, especially those who would be considered to have #profoundautism. /1

https://twitter.com/drstevenkapp/status/1618483891496685569

Is the #autism “community” in a delusional time warp? Because the value of non-stigmatizing language & participatory #research is well documented in many fields. It’s not some new phenomenon conjured up by random #ActuallyAutistic ppl. Seriously? /2

Last I checked, the #DenverPrinciples came out in the early 80s. A rallying cry from the #HIV community for respectful terminology & meaningful community inclusion. And guess what? The field of research wasn’t DERAILED ONE BIT by adopting these critical changes. /3

In fact, partnering w/the community helped ADVANCE the d@mn research. Measurably! And there wasn’t a massive exodus of researchers leaving the field because they were now charged w/using more respectful terminology either. /4

“The #autism spectrum is TOO BROAD!” Lemme tell y’al something: YOU’RE NOT SPECIAL. You think HIV doesn’t have a wide, heterogeneous presentation too? From “elite controllers” to the person w/a minimal CD4 cell count? Or the multiple strains? Or HIV-1 & HIV-2? /5

In the same amount of time that the #autism “community” has spent needlessly fighting, #HIV has been transformed from a DEATH SENTENCE to a manageable chronic illness. And it has modeled effective engagement across communities who are VERY different from one another too. /6

There’s DECADES of literature about this. Google is your friend.

BTW, I easily found 15 existing respectful language guidelines online used by researchers in fields outside of autism. Are all those people are unreasonable & are “stifling” progress? morenikego.com/inclusive-comm… /End