In her article, "Autistic Culture Online: Virtual Communication and Cultural Expression on the Spectrum," Joyce Davidson gives a call for awareness of the social movement of those on the Autistic Spectrum (AS). She cites evidence that the autistic community has a related 'form of life,' a "cultural grouping" of "... members who are 'related' in terms of the flexible notion of 'family resemblance'" (794). She then proceeds to discuss how those on the AS have difficulty communicating in 'neurotypical' (NT) social settings are finding the ability to form online communities centered around their AS 'form of life' (793-6). Davidson concludes by discussing different views on autism, including those who wish to 'cure' autism and those who would prefer to be identified as a minority group, and calls for an awareness of the latter.
Davidson appears to be appealing to those "neurotypical" people who are unaware of the movement for autism to be identified as a minority group. Though little is directly stated about Davidson in the article, it is shown to be published from the Department of Geography in Queen's University in a journal entitled Social & Cultural Geography. The title of the department would suggest that Davidson is a geographer, and not necessarily an expert in the subject of autism. Davidson does, however, have great respect for minority groups given her writing style; she uses the pronoun 'her' as a gender-neutral pronoun (793) and refers to the deaf community as "D/deaf," (798) possibly in consideration of those who do, and those who do not consider it a community. It is unclear if Davidson has anything to gain through the argument.
After reading the article, I felt embarrassed that I had only thought of people with autism as having a disorder, not as being associated with a larger community that was simply different. I would have to agree that with the author's argument that people on the AS should be treated as a minority community rather than as having a curable disorder. Davidson's wording became somewhat confusing in the discussion of a 'language game.' The description of autistic 'language games,' moving from Wittgenstein's definition of the link between, "a particular use of language with the 'actions into which it is woven'" to Davidson's definition of 'autistic language games' as something that, “might be seen as emerging from partially shared experiential background and 'identity'-that is, self-identification with a place on the spectrum" (794) seems like a very confusing way to identify a shared background among those on the AS; nonetheless, her argument stands. I would like to propose the following questions for discussion:
- Should the argument for autistic individuals to be identified as a minority group rather than a group with a disorder apply to low-functioning autistic individuals? Seeing as there are distinctions in other groups, such as deaf versus hard of hearing, should there be other distinctions in the autistic community?
- Several major online games, including World of Warcraft and Everquest involve other social interactions outside of text-based communication, such as forming guilds and groups, and allowing character gestures (such as waving, bowing, etc.). Do autistic communities have a harder time forming on these major online games?
- How is Wittgenstein's idea of a 'language game' used in other contexts?
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In response to the first question asked, "Should the argument for autistic individuals to be identified as a minority group rather than a group with a disorder apply to low-functioning autistic individuals? Seeing as there are distinctions in other groups, such as deaf versus hard of hearing, should there be other distinctions in the autistic community?" I do think that there should be a distinction between the different levels and different abilities of people affected by autism. I had never thought of this question before, but after thinking about how there are so many different types of autism, and it affects so many people in different ways, I think it would probably be helpful for those affected by autism to have a more concise and defined group of people to talk to that are going through the same experiences as themselves. I think this distinction can be applied to all levels of autism, not just the higher functioning individuals that are affected by autism, but the entirety of those affected by autism.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the first question, I personally do not think that those with autism should be characterized as minority groups regardless of whether they are high or low functioning. I feel that autism, though as common and varied as it is, is not the only social disorder in the world. Should those with Down syndrome or epilepsy be placed in groups as well? If we start to separate those with an impairment everyone will be considered a minority group versus an individual diagnosed with a certain disorder. Regardless they are still people but i do not feel it necessary. Our society has yet to fix its already discriminated groups of African Americans, Hispanics, women, etc that have been fighting for centuries. As for as having different levels i think that would get overly difficult. Each person to his or her own. Those with the disease function at a plethora of different levels. After all we didn't separate African Americans within a minority group into whose skin was darker or closer to being white. Overall i feel that if Autism became seen as a group of minorities’ society would struggle to wrap their minds around it.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the second question, I think it could be argued in both ways. The online games, though more interactive, could possibly create an alter ego for the members, which would become even more addicting to those on the AS because of the ability to control themselves in a “normal” setting, or one in which other members are of the same distinction. The ability to form a more tangible guild and group could also appeal to the AS, in that it could be a better representation of their individuality as a minority. However, in Davidson’s article she highlights the fact that it was the facial expressions and unpredictable reactions of the facial features or body language that most affected the AS in a negative way (Davidson 795). Avatars in most online games today also have the ability to express many emotions and physical movements, which could pose the same fear as real life interactions. Therefore hindering the attraction to online games.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rachel's response to question 1. There is already enough "mainstream" arguments about racial groups and gender, that social disorders have yet to become prominent. That is not to say it will not happen in the future. But I do not believe they should be their own minority--too much room for distinction is in the autistic community. Also, many physically handicapped people do not believe the Disabilities Act was a good bill passed, more research needs to be done with consideration to creating a minority group.
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