“Today’s episode examines the historical development of autism diagnoses within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), highlighting its deep connections to eugenics and the use of statistics to categorise and control neurodivergent individuals. It argues that the statistical tools used to quantify human traits were initially created to support ‘selective breeding’ and social control, a legacy that continues to influence how autistic lives are understood and supported, or conversely, pathologised and denied resources. The source article, written by Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, critiques the deficit-based model of autism inherent in the DSM and behavioral interventions like ABA, advocating for narrative sovereignty and systems of care that prioritise lived experience and relational understanding over statistical norms and conformity. Ultimately, Dr. Hoerricks calls for a re-evaluation of current diagnostic and support practices, suggesting that meaningful care requires moving beyond quantification and containment to embrace the full richness of autistic ways of being.”

Here’s the link to the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/quantified-and-contained-autism-the

Let me know what you think.

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