The Thin Line Between Desirable and Dehumanizing

Two news articles celebrated the accomplishments of Aspergers folks. Asperger's Syndrome isn't keeping Megan Woods out of the limelight from the Grand Forks Herald is about a high school girl with a talent for singing. Newport Aspergers man takes care of business from the South Wales Argus is about a man who started a new coach service. One thing these articles have in common is that they highlight accomplishments. Points for desirable! The other thing these articles have in common is that they talk about the accomplishments in terms of overcoming AS, or in spite of AS. Points for dehumanizing?

I was reminded (ah yes the joys of highly associative thought processes!) of the essay "Inspiration" by Cal Montgomery. In the essay, Cal dissects this complex issue of being called "inspirational" or "overcoming disability" when in fact all one is doing is being a human being living their life just like everyone else. How what truly must be "overcome" (like prejudice and lack of access) is often not acknowledged while praise is heaped for things that are no big deal. And how ultimately dehumanizing such things can become.

Why is it that when an autistic person accomplishes something so often it is labeled "overcoming the condition?" Can an autistic person (or any person with a disability) just simply accomplish something as a person? I did not "overcome autism" to write this article. I did "overcome barriers to accessibility" in order to do things like succeed at the interview for this job, but my skills as a writer are simply my skills as a writer. These skills may have been developed in some ways by idiosyncrasies related to my autism, like since writing is my primary means of communication I exercise that skill more than many people do (and on the less desirable side I may also leave out or get wrong words that aren't very concrete like "the" or "of"). But for the most part, my writing skills come from learning, practice, natural ability, personal interest, past professional experience, etc. Just like anyone.

I love seeing positive things written about people on the spectrum. It's so, so very important to praise strengths and not see people as nothing but a pile of "deficits." All people need to have their accomplishments acknowledged! But I think it's equally important to remember not everything an autistic person does is related to their autism. Making too much of a fuss about "overcoming" disability can, as Cal's essay addresses (and I have also experienced), cross a line and become dehumanizing.