NeuroAbleism: the specific type of ableism experienced by neurodivergent people due to systemic oppression in a supremacist-based society that values neurotypicalness as the “right” way to be, think, and act.
The term “neuroableism” was coined in 2019 by Julia Feliz.
Examples of NeuroAbleism:
- Assuming all humans must conform to a specific way of being
- Expecting all humans to communicate in the same way
- Expecting that all humans share the same abilities and that these abilities determine their worth
- Assuming neurodivergent people will behave or think alike when they are individuals in the same way that neurotypical society assumes non-neurodivergent people to be
- Assuming neurodivergent people are less intelligent when neurodivergence has nothing to do with intelligence
- Judging and labeling neurodivergent people according to their ability to assimilate and hide their neurodivergence
- Refusing to learn to communicate with neurodivergent people in the way they need
- Assuming the worst of someone when they have disclosed their neurodivergence in an effort to have their needs met
- Assuming that neurodivergence is an excuse rather than a reason on why someone is responding the way they are
- Refusing to acknowledge that neurotypical supremacy is a problem affecting every aspect of a neurodivergent person’s life
Types of neurodivergence include:
ADHD, Autism, Bipolarism, Borderline Personality Disorder, Dyslexia, Oppositional Defiant “Disorder”, and many more.
It is important to note, however, that many neurodivergent variations share comorbid (co-existing) “disorders”/conditions (such as anxiety, depression, misophobia, etc) and different neurodivergences may have crossovers with one another.
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On this website, you’ll find resources on these differing neurodivergences to help neurotypical people learn to better understand and communicate with neurodivergent people.
Don’t see your specific neurodivergence? We’re still working on adding more, and welcome help from different neurodivergent communities. If you want to help us to add your community, contact us via info(at)sanctuarypublishers(dot)com.
Also, we’re looking for a volunteer that can help us change the site to one with a dyslexic friendly font – is this you?
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