Summary 3 (The Problem with “Autism Levels”)
🇬🇷 Ελληνικά
Categorization and its shortcomings in practice
From the lack of recognition and the existence of an “invisible level” (which I discuss in the post and video The Ableist Construct of “Camouflage”), to the direction toward behavioral normalization and indifference to support, the existing system and prevailing model is full of gaps and superficiality. It is officially left to the behaviorist subsystem, to which it grants authority, while the gap is also filled by other “alternative” subsystems that exploit parents’ sense of helplessness and the real lack of support (pseudo-therapies, even dangerous ones).
The categorization of the diagnosis into “levels” refers to support, but there are perceptions associated with these levels that need to be disentangled. These perceptions concern, more broadly, the framework of “diagnosis” (viewing autism as a “disorder,” and therefore a nosological entity, with levels translated as “mild” or “severe”), its historical context, and the dominant ideas and stereotypes that spread socially through the prevalence and authority of medical model approaches. They concern ideas of “high intelligence” or “normal behavior” that have prevailed as the basis for the division into levels.
The construction of an invisible “functioning level”
If the person themselves “achieves” camouflage, they supposedly do not need anything; they are normal. Or they have mental health issues, trauma, personality disorders, and other diagnoses for which they must seek therapy or “manage” individually.
“Camouflage” is conveniently charged to us as something we do — a personal act of invisibility that some of us are supposedly “capable” of. A false status that maintains our lack of access and our oppression. And those who are seen as “not capable” are expected to try harder — or to achieve it through conversion therapies. A massive industry and system built on the promise of this false status, with long, exhausting conversion therapies that are traumatic and destructive. These practices can cause PTSD, while also making people — especially the children targeted — vulnerable to abuse and unable to assert their own will. This exposes children to numerous dangers and undermines their boundaries and self-respect.
Internalized ableism
As Autistic identity becomes destigmatized, more and more people who consider themselves “high-functioning” realize and accept that they are Autistic. However, they separate themselves from the pathologized stereotype, which they reject as part of their own identity.
Yet depathologization does not mean “levels,” with one level being pathological and another being a “personality type.” In reality, they have not accepted it. They have accepted something else about themselves. Then the impression of a “trend” is created, and all of this is recycled without resolution, offering itself up as a show and for exploitation.
From the post The Problem with “Autism Levels” – Topic Presentation
Read on the blog
Η κριτική μου στοχεύει όσους εκμεταλλεύονται το θέμα, και τις νοοτροπίες εσωτερικευμένου Ableism.
Δεν μιλάμε για «κόστος». «Μπορούμε» = «μπορούμε». ΔΕΝ ΤΟΥΣ ΕΝΔΙΑΦΕΡΕΙ.
Η Αυτιστική λειτουργία δεν είναι θέμα «etiquette». Παραμένουμε σε μία τοποθέτηση συμπεριφοράς.
Η Ableist Κατασκευή του «Καμουφλάζ»
Videos
Common Misconceptions About Autism Levels – What It Really Means
The Ableist Construct of “Camouflage”
Deconstructing Autistic Camouflage
Podcast Autistic Journals Project
A personal voice on the Αutistic experience, sharing a different understanding shaped by my journey. If parts of your experience leave questions unanswered, this open space for thought may be just what you’re looking for. Available in English and Greek (audio and subtitles).
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