7:14pm May 12, 2012

“There is no career that would be impossible for a person with Asperger’s Syndrome.”

—

Dr. Tony Attwood, The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome, 2007

Frankly, Dr. Attwood, you can kindly fuck off. This way of thinking? The idea that we can do ANYTHING with minimal intervention/help? Does NOT help us. You know why? Because all this seems to be is self-esteem building bullshit that makes us feel worse when we fail. Because Asperger’s isn’t “autism lite”, contrary to popular belief. It isn’t just “social awkwardness”. There are real challenges, and yes, while some people who have Asperger’s may be able to choose to do anything, that is not true for all of us, and to make such a sweeping statement is downright dangerous. Because when we fail (and we will, without accommodations), we will be accused on “not trying hard enough”.

Fucking hell. For anyone who still thinks that Tony Attwood is a good alternative to the many super ableist “experts” out there, well, yes, he is in some ways. But statements like this? Are unhelpful.

(via goldenheartedrose)

I feel like it’s a weird coincidence that I was wondering whether “Assume competence” posters about disabilities are problematic while I was showering just now.

(via transstingray)

It’s a weird balancing act, honestly. Presume that people are capable, yes. Don’t presume that they can do everything that able-bodied people can, especially not without help.

(via goldenheartedrose)

I’m normally NOT a fan of Attwood, at all, but I don’t really agree with this interpretation of this quote. So many people think that we can only go into certain careers, and it’s really harmful. I don’t know, I would need to know more about the context surrounding the quote before dismissing it altogether.

(via allies-person)

I interpreted it as “There isn’t any specific type of career that nobody with Asperger’s can do.” Which I would agree with. Even the most unlikely sounding career probably has some autistic people in it, and I hate when people act like there are only certain jobs we can do. OTOH if he meant “Every AS person can do every kind of career” then that’s bullshit. Unfortunately, I can’t find my copy of the book to verify either reading.

Notes: