Study finds overt discrimination by NTs toward autistic adults
Magna
Citizen
in General ASD
I subscribe to a very informative organization out of Canada called: "Embrace ASD".
Here's a link to a page from their website that details the findings of a study done in 2019.
For those who don't want to view the summary, I'll summarize the intent and few interesting conclusions:
An equal number of autistic adults and NT adults watched short interview type videos of people who were NT and of people who were also autistic.
"Autistic observers did not discriminate in expressing interest in interacting with subjects. In contrast, neurotypical observers had no interest in interacting with autistic subjects even when their diagnosis was disclosed."
Comments
I'm surprised that the autistic individuals wanted to interact with anyone.
^ I get what you're saying, Oli. However, it doesn't surprise me that the study found that autistic people were more accepting and tolerant of people who don't appear to be "normal" since that's been my experience both of myself as well as my experience of the tolerance exhibited by other autistic people that I know.
Autistic people wanting to interact with both sets of interviewed people, but the NTs not wanting to interact with the autistic people, doesn't surprise me.
We have to deal with NTs in our daily lives from the time we're born, but most NTs probably never have to really get to know and learn to tolerate someone that is autistic, let alone multiple. They're going to have a much smaller amount of experience and tolerance towards us.
I also hear a lot of autistic people say they enjoy the company of autistic people more, and that they sometimes feel more drawn to interact with other autistics, so them still being interested in them isn't a surprise to me either.
That's interesting Hylian, I believe we had a thread here about autistics preferring the company of autistics, so this is basically saying the same thing from the opposite angle.
People (NTs) don’t want to adjust their interactional styles to accommodate those who seem to exhibit interactional difficulties.
I've looked at many articles from that site. It's a very good site.
They're wonderful people.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7843702/
Of course there is always the residue of trauma resulting from prejudice, discrimination, mocking, bullying and negativity that those of us who are ND have experienced, but it is not only that. All people have an affinity with people who share the same mindset, common experiences, a common denominator. There is the proverb " birds of a feather flock together", this is human nature. There is a distinct difference between preference and discrimination. This is the relevant point. If someone prefers autistic's company or NT ( I actually equally enjoy NT, ND and ASD company with no particular preference) it is fine, everyone has a different comfort zone and individual mode of communication. Autistics do not only seek each other's company when fleeing from discrimination, not at all. Autistics often enjoy the things they share in common, the way of viewing the world, the way they process life. Autistics are not uniform in thought, I have close autistic friends who have chosen me as a non autistic to be the closest person in their lives, There are many members here in "mixed" relationships, myself included, who have connected with the essence of a person we love without preference for a particular neurology. There are many autistics on line who are just as cruel to other autistics than any NT can be.
I think we should focus on how to promote tolerance and understanding rather than perpetuate the negative and separation. Many successful relationships thrive regardless of neurological, ethnic, religious differences. I have a natural affinity to people who have ADD/ADHD and CPTSD such as myself because we share similar responses to life, the way we process life, and an often traumatic emotional history, but that does not mean that I would exclude another human being from my heart or categorize them in order of preference.
The current global trend is divisive, violent and intolerant, this has become globally endemic and is particularly emphasized in the U.S. currently. I pray for a more inclusive, united and tolerant global trend. I personally choose to look for what can bring people closer together rather than emphasize where they are incompatible. I refuse to believe that autistics and NT's cannot live in harmony, my aspie man has never experienced discrimination from NT's, he actually has no autistic friends, neither has any autistic I know in my country experienced discrimination, and I know intimately quite a few. How much does a country's cultural/political climate influence how they perceive neurodiversity or diversity in general? That might be good topic for another thread.