Thread by @JenniAgitator

🧵1/7 Well-meaning people send me rhe autistic “telepathy tapes.” It’s garbage, riddled w/pseudo-science, and justifies anti-vaxx nonsense.
The other reason beyond being junk science that it’s problematic is it’s dehumanizing to autistics. I’ll explain.open.substack.com/pub/drdevonpri…

2/7 1st question asked is why is ascribing super powers to autistics w/high support needs dehumanizing?
1. We call it autistic supremacy, people who think we’re the next rung UP on the evolutionary ladder, that autistics are special starseeds from space

3/7 Some see autistics as tragic broken zombies, more obviously dehumanizing, but the super powers, autistic supremacy, next rung up on the evolutionary ladder, special blessings, grace, needs, or whatever; it’s all just as harmful and eugenics-adjacent as autistic tragedy porn

4/7 When asked what can others do to make autistic lives better, my 1st answer is always, humanize autistics. That includes not seeing us as tragic blobs w/no afeelings or total incapacity to love, or also includes not to , evolution, super powers-telepathy-para-normal noise.

5/7 Why is calling it a super power problematic? 2. That’s almost always used to justify our existence, when in fact, most auts are regular people w/out extraordinary abilities. We should be accepted, treated respectfully & valued members of every community without being perfect.

6/7 Where do telepathy tapes go wrong? It’s not based on science, it’s BOTH autistic tragedy porn AND Autie supremacy-Darwinian rhetoric. It’s eugenics, also uses non-evidence based methods & known anti-vaxxers and their garbage are repeated as fact in the podcast numerous times.

7/7 So, how to humanize autistics? By not segregating us & discarding us into a dumpster, or segregating us up into a higher hippy, starseed plain. How about seeing us as people w/hopes, needs, love & dreams? We’re people; include us, not above or below you, WITH you.
♾️✌️♿️ 🌏

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