Episode 250: The Frequency of Belonging

“Today’s episode presents a perspective challenging the pathologisation of autism. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, argues that autistic differences, such as processing information relationally or metaphorically, are not deficits but rather unique ways of experiencing and interacting with the world, like tuning into a different “frequency.” Dr. Hoerricks criticises how research on autistic brains is often used to seek ways to “fix” or erase these differences rather than understand and accept them. They suggest that autistic traits are not errors but ancient adaptations that have served human communities, and that the focus on autistic individuals needing to be productive or exceptional to “earn a living” is a form of extraction that dismisses intrinsic worth. Ultimately, they advocate for kinship and belonging for autistic people based on their presence and being, rather than requiring them to conform or prove their value through neurotypical metrics.”

Here’s the link to the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/the-frequency-of-belonging-on-autistic

Let me know what you think.