Episode 89: Who is Really Dysregulated?

“Autism Parenting Magazine, a publication aimed at parents of autistic children, is criticised in today’s episode for its consistently deficit-focused approach to autism. Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, an autistic special education teacher, argues that the magazine’s articles pathologise autistic behaviours, framing them as problems needing correction rather than natural responses to environmental factors. This perspective ignores the Social Model of Disability and the Power Threat Meaning Framework, which emphasise societal barriers and power dynamics as contributing factors to autistic distress. Dr. Hoerricks further condemns the magazine's exclusion of autistic voices and its reliance on outdated research, ultimately advocating for a more inclusive and empathetic approach to understanding and supporting autistic individuals. Dr. Hoerricks’ personal experience highlights the damaging impact of such narratives on autistic individuals and educators.”

Here’s the link to the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/from-deficit-to-dignity-questioning

Let me know what you think.