Reframing Autism as an Alternative Form of Consciousness?
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I stumbled across a 2021 book from Australian psychotherapist Rachael Harris. It’s titled, Pythiism: Reframing Autism as an Alternative Form of Consciousness (link). The title alone caught my attention.
The name Pythiism, coined by Harris in her book, seemingly comes from Pythia, the priestess who held court at Pytho, the sanctuary of the Delphinians, a sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god Apollo. Pythia were highly regarded, for it was believed that she channeled prophecies from Apollo himself whilst steeped in a dreamlike trance.
The key points I gather from Harris' perspective are:
There has been a historical shift away from depth psychology and towards more reductionist views of autism focused solely on behaviour, cognition, and neurobiology.
Harris believes the common "brain wiring" explanation for autism is an oversimplified narrative that has been uncritically accepted, despite lack of clear evidence.
Harris advocates moving away from the deficit model of autism as a neurological disorder, and instead using a depth psychology framework focused on the unconscious, mythology, narrative and intuitive observation. This does, kind of, align with understanding autism through the lens of the Solitary Forager Hypothesis of Autism.
This represents a more holistic, humanistic view of autism that moves beyond just empirical data to honor the dignity, wonder and mystery of the autistic experience.
The author sees this as part of an emerging grassroots movement among therapists and advocates to find new, more empowering ways to understand and support autistic people.
I’m not sure if I see Pythiism as inherently harmful to autistic people or their access to support and accommodations. Here's why:
The medical model has pathologized autism and promoted commercial interventions aimed at making autistic people “normal.” However, it has also enabled access to legal protections and support in schools, workplaces, and the community by classifying autism as a disability.
Pythiism offers a more empowering lens but does not preclude also recognizing disabilities that some autistic people experience while respecting their dignity and autonomy. Rather than being mutually exclusive, insights from the medical or social models around disability and support needs could likely be integrated with the Pythiism framework. For example, one could embrace Pythiism's validation of autistic consciousness while still acknowledging that many autistic people need workplace accommodations, learning supports, or healthcare access. Legal definitions of disability can be disentangling from notions of defectiveness.
The key is realizing autism’s role as both difference AND disability, and crafting policies that affirm dignity whilst providing adequate supports. With care not to perpetuate stigma in either direction, Pythiism may complement rather than oppose certain elements of the medical model, for the ultimate benefit of autistic individuals.
Whilst I’m open to the discussion of Pythiism as offered, there are elements of Harris’ practice that I’m having a bit of trouble digesting.
Back over to her LinkedIn page, we find that she’s “… the founder of Reflective Integration Therapy™, the first fully contemplative psychotherapeutic model ever designed and specifically tailored for individuals with high functioning autism. RIT™ is a comprehensive therapeutic programme comprised of a combination of essential teachings and engaging therapies for use in clinic as a resource for psychotherapists, psychologists and counsellors.”
In all, I’m withholding judgement. I’m open to exploring the idea whilst protecting myself in case this is one in many scams targeting the autistic community.
What do you think?
The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.
Reframing Autism as an Alternative Form of Consciousness?
Reframing Autism as an Alternative Form of Consciousness?
Reframing Autism as an Alternative Form of Consciousness?
I stumbled across a 2021 book from Australian psychotherapist Rachael Harris. It’s titled, Pythiism: Reframing Autism as an Alternative Form of Consciousness (link). The title alone caught my attention.
The name Pythiism, coined by Harris in her book, seemingly comes from Pythia, the priestess who held court at Pytho, the sanctuary of the Delphinians, a sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god Apollo. Pythia were highly regarded, for it was believed that she channeled prophecies from Apollo himself whilst steeped in a dreamlike trance.
The key points I gather from Harris' perspective are:
There has been a historical shift away from depth psychology and towards more reductionist views of autism focused solely on behaviour, cognition, and neurobiology.
Harris believes the common "brain wiring" explanation for autism is an oversimplified narrative that has been uncritically accepted, despite lack of clear evidence.
Harris advocates moving away from the deficit model of autism as a neurological disorder, and instead using a depth psychology framework focused on the unconscious, mythology, narrative and intuitive observation. This does, kind of, align with understanding autism through the lens of the Solitary Forager Hypothesis of Autism.
This represents a more holistic, humanistic view of autism that moves beyond just empirical data to honor the dignity, wonder and mystery of the autistic experience.
The author sees this as part of an emerging grassroots movement among therapists and advocates to find new, more empowering ways to understand and support autistic people.
I’m not sure if I see Pythiism as inherently harmful to autistic people or their access to support and accommodations. Here's why:
The medical model has pathologized autism and promoted commercial interventions aimed at making autistic people “normal.” However, it has also enabled access to legal protections and support in schools, workplaces, and the community by classifying autism as a disability.
Pythiism offers a more empowering lens but does not preclude also recognizing disabilities that some autistic people experience while respecting their dignity and autonomy. Rather than being mutually exclusive, insights from the medical or social models around disability and support needs could likely be integrated with the Pythiism framework. For example, one could embrace Pythiism's validation of autistic consciousness while still acknowledging that many autistic people need workplace accommodations, learning supports, or healthcare access. Legal definitions of disability can be disentangling from notions of defectiveness.
The key is realizing autism’s role as both difference AND disability, and crafting policies that affirm dignity whilst providing adequate supports. With care not to perpetuate stigma in either direction, Pythiism may complement rather than oppose certain elements of the medical model, for the ultimate benefit of autistic individuals.
Whilst I’m open to the discussion of Pythiism as offered, there are elements of Harris’ practice that I’m having a bit of trouble digesting.
Back over to her LinkedIn page, we find that she’s “… the founder of Reflective Integration Therapy™, the first fully contemplative psychotherapeutic model ever designed and specifically tailored for individuals with high functioning autism. RIT™ is a comprehensive therapeutic programme comprised of a combination of essential teachings and engaging therapies for use in clinic as a resource for psychotherapists, psychologists and counsellors.”
In all, I’m withholding judgement. I’m open to exploring the idea whilst protecting myself in case this is one in many scams targeting the autistic community.
What do you think?
The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.