This thought-provoking collection is written for all stakeholders in relation to autism and neurodivergent conditions. Despite having wide impact on a variety of disciplines, neurodiversity and related concepts are often poorly understood, which can lead to uninformed debate and potential tensions between stakeholders regarding service provision for those with neuro-developmental disabilities. The Neurodiveristy Reader brings together work from pioneering figures within and beyond the neurodiversity movement to critically explore its history, the concepts of neurodiversity that have shaped it, lived experiences, and how a better informed understanding might be translated into practice and service provision. Through a variety of accounts, the relevance and criticisms of these concepts in understanding ourselves and one another are examined, as well as important implications for practice. A primary text for support professionals and students of neurodivergent experiences and disability, as well as neurodivergent people themselves. Contents: Conceptualising neurodiversity Mind as a dynamical system Dimensions of difference Perceptual deviants What kind of thing is autism? Stigmaphrenia: Reducing mental health stigma with a script about neurodiversity What more can the ND community do to support learning disabilities Multiplicity and Neurodiversity; exploring potential in Deleuzoguattarian social theory for furthering a paradigm shift From Neuronormativity to Neurodiversity: Changing Perspectives on Autism Neurodiversity is for everyone Lived neurodivergent experiences Masking: an act of resistance New light through old windows Female Neurodiversity and the Emotional Leeching Boyfriend The perpetual bookworm A few words on a lot of living Communicating away the barriers Neurodiversity in practice Understanding autistic ‘behaviour’ Challenging behaviour(ists) Zero tolerance of black autistic boys Neuroqueering music therapy From difference to diversity “I’d like to tell them what gets left-out or ‘unsaid’”: Autism, Neurodiversity and Employment Experiences in Neoliberal Times A Literature Review Exploring the Efficacy of Person-Centred Counselling for Autistic People Autism and addiction Establishing Neurodivergent Authorship in the Sexual Violence Debate University through the Eyes of Autistic Students and Staff Accessing services and social interaction: strategies used by autistic people About the Lead Editor: Dr Damian Milton’s interest in autism began when his son was diagnosed in 2005 as autistic at the age of two. Damian was also diagnosed with Asperger’s in 2009 at the age of 36. Thanks to Damian’s ability to present his views and insights from ‘inside’ the autism spectrum so clearly, he is able to challenge many of the ideas held by society. Damian works part-time for the National Autistic Society (NAS) as Head of Autism Knowledge and Expertise (Adults and Community) and sits on the scientific and advisory committee for Research Autism. Damian currently teaches on the MA Education (Autism) programme at London South Bank University and is a consultant for the Transform Autism Education (TAE) project. In 2017 Damian joined the Tizard Centre, University of Kent as a part-time Lecturer to coincide with his work for the NAS. |