The Institute of Art and Ideas (IAI). We Need to Change How We View Autism – Simon Baron-Cohen. Embedded from YouTube.

I found this short interview particularly interesting because it encourages us to think differently about autism. It is a perspective I feel is worth considering.

It looks beyond a focus on what autistic people may find difficult, and recognises the diversity of the autistic experience. Because each person experiences autism differently, conversations should include the voices of autistic people as well as the perspectives of research and professionals.

Simon thinks that autism has played a part in human invention. However, the interview does not just highlight the differences in the autistic brain and what autistic people struggle with, but also what they can do. It highlights that we shouldn’t create stereotypes, but recognise the different strengths of autistic people rather than judging them through these stereotypes. Judging autistic people in this way can have serious consequences for their rights, dignity and opportunities.

I enjoy following Simon’s work, and I feel he has benefited the autistic community. Some of his early work has been criticised, but autism research is about learning to better understand the condition and support the people involved.