The neurodiversity concept was developed collectively: An overdue correction on the origins of neurodiversity theory

Added on 19/06/2024

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Journal article of the type Theoretical development ( ; english)

Monique Botha*, Robert Chapman*, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu*, Steven Kapp*, Abs Ashley*, Nick Walker* , The neurodiversity concept was developed collectively: An overdue correction on the origins of neurodiversity theory published in the journal "Autism", Preprint, 4 pages , doi:10.1177/13623613241237871

*All co-authors are autistics. [Learn more about this mention]

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This letter discusses the origins of the concept and theory of neurodiversity. It is important to correctly attribute concept and theories to the people who developed them. For some time, the concept of neurodiversity has primarily been attributed to one person, Judy Singer. We consider the available evidence and show that the concept and theory in fact has multiple origins. We draw particular attention to recent archival findings that show the concept of 'neurological diversity' was being used years earlier than previously thought. 'Neurodiversity' means the same thing as 'neurological diversity' and does not change the theory in any way. We conclude that both the concept of neurological diversity or neurodiversity, and the body of theory surrounding it, should be understood as having been collectively developed by neurodivergent people.

For your information:

(1) References in blue are resources listed on our site;

(2) Authors listed in this bibliography whose names are in color have published other resources referenced on the site. Clicking on the name allows you to see the list of resources they have published and shared on the site;

(3) Authors whose names are followed by an asterisk have publicly disclosed being autistic. [Learn more about this mention]

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