Kaelynn, autism, and dividing communities
A few weeks ago autistic creator Kaelynn posted a video about high and low support needs autistics that has generated a lot of controversy within the autistic and neurodivergent communities. In the video she uses harmful language like ‘mild’ and ‘severe’ autism and makes claims that low support needs autistics face more challenges in getting their needs met or understood than high support needs autistics. One of my favorite autistic creators Remy W. Anders posted a great video responding to the original post and highlighting many of the criticisms. He addressed the ways the video pits high and low support needs autistics against each other rather than simply advocating for greater ‘support and empathy’ for low support needs autistics. He then goes on to discuss how race and privilege plays a role in who gets support (the story of Darius McCollum is a great example) and that high support needs autistics are often only accommodated in certain contexts.
Watching the video and the response to it reminded me a lot of the disagreement and debate within the disabled community around visible vs invisible disabilities and privilege. Those with invisible disabilities often have their disabilities invalidated and ignored while those with visible disabilities are often denied autonomy and face discrimination because of their disability. The argument between people with visible and invisible disabilities ignores the different ways each group has privilege This is the same as people with food allergies or celiac disease complaining that people with food intolerances shouldn’t tell people that they have allergies when they don’t. But when others do not take their needs seriously unless they say that they are allergic they are put in a difficult position of having to lie to get the accommodations they need. At the same time they face criticism from people with allergies or celiac disease that doing this makes their needs seem less important.
All of these examples point out the fact that people are routinely denied accommodations and supports regardless of the ‘severity’ of their condition or disability. All of these are ways communities are pitted against each other as if they have to complete for what they need when they are both dealing with the same neurotypical and ableist structures. And while the frustration and challenges that inspired Kaelynn’s original video are valid it is important to remember that we should work to advocate together rather than against each other.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
