What is the Big Tent in Neurodiversity?

It's been 30 years since the Neurodiversity movement began, but our history? It’s scattered—spread across the internet, lost to defunct websites, and held in the memories of those who were there.

Foundations for Divergent Minds board—Kassiane Asasumasu, Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu, Renae Martin, and Oswin Latimer discuss the complexities of neurodiversity, emphasizing the need for a broad and inclusive understanding that goes beyond traditional definitions.

There's exploration of the historical context of the neurodiversity movement, the cultural erasure of diverse voices, and the importance of intersectionality in understanding identity. The conversation also touches on the evolution of language within the neurodiversity community, the perspectives of youth, and the necessity for sensory-friendly medical practices.

Join the conversation as they meander through the moments that shaped today’s Autistic community. Expect deep dives, infodumps, candid untold stories, and a heavy dose of chaos along the way.

A huge thank you to AbleNet for sponsoring this season of Herding Cats!

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Chapters

00:00 Understanding Neurodiversity: A Big Tent Approach

02:47 The Importance of Historical Context in Neurodiversity

06:09 Cultural Erasure and Misattribution in Neurodiversity

09:01 Intersectionality and Identity in Neurodivergent Communities

11:56 The Evolution of Language in Neurodiversity

14:54 Youth Perspectives on Neurodiversity

17:46 Personal Experiences and Medical Narratives

20:53 The Need for Sensory-Friendly Medical Practices

#neurodiversity #neurodivergent #intersectionality #culturalerasure #identity #historicalcontext #sensoryfriendly #youthperspectives #community

"Welcome to Herding Cats and other stories. I thought this might be a good podcast idea." - Oswin Latimer

This podcast episode explores the origins and evolution of the neurodiversity movement, reflecting on the community's history, influential figures, and the impact of social media. The hosts discuss the importance of satire in autism awareness, the significance of the 'Tone It Down Taupe' movement, and the challenges faced by the community today. They emphasize the need for genuine advocacy and support for autistic individuals, while also reminiscing about the connections and losses within the community.

Takeaways:

• The podcast aims to share stories from the neurodiversity movement.
• The hosts reflect on their personal experiences and community connections.
• There is a concern about the lack of awareness of past influential figures.
• The community has evolved through different waves of advocacy.
• Satire plays a crucial role in challenging negative perceptions of autism.
• Tone It Down Taupe serves as a counter-movement to traditional autism awareness campaigns.
• Social media has both positive and negative impacts on neurodiversity advocacy.
• The importance of amplifying autistic voices and experiences is emphasized.
• The hosts express a desire for more genuine community support.
• The conversation highlights the need for continued advocacy and awareness efforts.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts

03:02 The Genesis of the Neurodiversity Movement

05:53 Reflections on Community and Loss

09:14 The Impact of Early Influencers

11:45 Navigating Online Spaces and Resources

15:09 The Role of Satire in Autism Awareness

17:59 Tone It Down Taupe: A Counter Movement

20:53 The Evolution of Neurodiversity Advocacy

23:50 The Influence of Social Media on Awareness

27:05 Conclusion and Call to Action

This podcast is brought to you by Foundations for Divergent Minds