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Neurodiversity and Inclusion: When Theory and Reality Clash
Neurodiversity must be more than a buzzword — real inclusion means systemic change, autistic leadership, and true choice, not masking.
As an autistic adult and lived-experience expert, I read articles on neurodiversity and inclusion with great interest — but also with a heavy dose of skepticism. While it’s commendable that neurodiversity is gaining attention in therapy, education, and the workplace, the reality for many autistic people remains far more complicated.
A lot of authors of these articles paint an optimistic picture of a neuro-inclusive society, but when I compare it to real-life experiences, I see a stark contrast. Without concrete systemic change, neurodiversity risks becoming another corporate buzzword — a feel-good concept that makes neurotypical professionals look progressive, while autistic people continue to struggle with the same barriers.
In this critical reflection, I’ll highlight key concerns often overlooked in mainstream neurodiversity discourse. Because as much as we want to believe that things are improving, the reality is that for many of us, they are not.
