From Disorder to Divergence: Charting the Progress of Perceptions of Autism

Welcome back to the STAGES Learning Newsletter!?

Our bi-monthly newsletter helps you grow the capacity to support the autism community.

This edition delves into the evolution of societal views on autism, from early misconceptions to the embrace of neurodiversity. We highlight the shift from the Moral and Medical Models to the Social Model, advocating for acceptance and inclusivity. Our focus is on guiding professionals, families, and individuals to better support the neurodivergent community. Continue to read about the journey towards a more understanding and inclusive society below.

Societal Views of Autism

The moral model view of autism is an antiquated one that believes autism is caused by a moral failing of the family or individual. Whereas the medical model views Autism Spectrum Disorder as exactly what the name implies–a disorder, one which needs to be treated. Conversely, the growing neurodiversity-based social model views autism as a positive part of neurological identity with the ultimate goal of inclusivity.?

Exploring these three main models can provide helpful context to professionals, families, and neurodivergent individuals to better adapt support methods using these models’ implications.?

?

Parenting and Autism Within the Moral Model

A variation within the moral model view of autism is that the responsibility for the child’s condition is on the parent, most often the mother.?

Origins of this view can be traced back to the 1930s when studies seemingly concluded that a mother’s style of parenting with balanced attentiveness and affection caused the development or prevention of conditions such as autism. Presently, societal views have since shifted from the “refrigerator mother” to the “autism mom” theory that attributes the functional outcome of a child with autism to a mother’s efforts and involvement in treatment for their child’s ASD.

This model’s foundation in judgment can be extremely detrimental to both families and autistic individuals by focusing on individual blame rather than individual needs. However, the spotlight on early child development and autism service interventions can aid in creating positive functional outcomes, similar to the medical model, when the results aren’t dampened by moral attributes.?

Symptoms of Personal Moral Failings

Viewing autism traits as personal and intentional moral failings, as opposed to neurological symptoms, is not a new concept. This theory persists in modern times, with application being most notable in older individuals with autism who are deemed to have more agency in their actions than children.?

It’s important to note, however, that objection to this moral model theory does not mean eliminating the need for personal responsibility and accountability. Rather, recognizing that there are inherent neurological challenges that may accompany autism, but it's healthy to work with them as explanations, not excuses, as explored in Kenneth A. Richman’s research on “Autism and Moral Responsibility.”

The benefits of this moral view are that it encourages personal accountability among people with autism and grants them the benefit of autonomy whereas the medical model does not. What this theory lacks, is that it ineffectively uses shame as a motivator instead of combining the symptom view of the medical model with the self-acceptance of the social model for optimal support.?

Pathologizing ASD in the Medical Model

Autism has been implicitly viewed as a disorder or medical condition starting with its inclusion in the DSM-III and continuing into the late 90s with autism genetic research. As a result, this neurological recognition absolves or reduces moral responsibility in the cause or symptomatology of autism.

This prevailing medical model treats ASD as a disorder in need of a cure due to its perceived neurological undesirability, and it also values the care guidance from professionals over clients themselves. Furthermore, this model sees research and professional accreditation as beneficial for the progression of science based on the acknowledgment that there may be aspects of autism that can create significant challenges, making proven medical interventions a potential asset.?

Opposing social model views emphasize the priority of autism acceptance and client autonomy above treatment. Other views may similarly support neurodiversity but also recognize the potential medical model benefits for the entire spectrum of autism presentation.?

Medical View of Autism Symptoms

Further exploring the perception of autism traits as pathological symptoms, is its present-day manifestation through the treatment and therapy options that typically accompany an autism diagnosis.

These can include occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis, social skill training, and medications for co-occurring mental health conditions. This goal of improving functionality and building skills by targeting autism symptoms has persistently existed, but approaches have evolved over time to be more compassionate and client-centric, particularly with ABA.?

The medical model sees autism traits as symptoms instead of moral failings, which has the positive effect of identifying effective strategies to work toward clients’ skills development. On the other hand, this approach can strengthen the stigma that autism is a negative disorder that needs to be cured, thus contradicting the acceptance stance of the social model.?

→ Click here to continue reading about neurodiversity as the modern social model, and more!

If you’d like additional information or have questions for us to address in our future newsletter, post them below! We also welcome your insights and experiences in the comments.