2. Inspired Warrior Coping Toolkit

The term neurotypical is frequently used to describe the other. The term provides a target with which to level criticism against. This is not dissimilar to homophobe or racist or misogynist. When seeking measures of equality and acceptance, it is crucial to have a label for people that are the problem. Names for the oppressor help to ease cohesion, prevent in-fighting, build enthusiasm, and drive momentum forward, picking up social and political capital. These are all good things and would not be necessary if everyone was receiving the respect and understanding they deserve. The downside is that the other is caricatured and subject to picking up as many stereotypes as the person seeking equality. Perhaps even without intention, an us-vs-them mentality is established, which questions the likelihood of future integration. Unlike white on black racism, neurotypicals are not actively seeking to oppress the neurodivergent; the major problems appear to be ignorance and stigmas and an unwillingness to change the status quo. Neurotypicals, for the most part, do not identify as neurotypical, which undermines the movement because as far as the rest of the world is concerned, neurotypicals do not exist.

At some point, all activism must lead to a pragmatic assimilation into the status quo. In order for this to happen an unambiguous and broadly accepted terminology must be present. Autism, ADHD, and other personalities need to be seen as normal and human, and thus inclusion is necessary and obvious.

During the diagnosis, the person is deemed to be in need of care, after all, they are now the patient. But even after many years of good therapeutic habits, the person is still considered to be in need of care and liable to others – a liability. A diagnosis also implies a deviation from healthy or normal and will become a defining feature of the medical record, which will always make other people question if the person is healthy or normal in the present. A mental health diagnosis can become a sinister stigmata, because there will always be doubt over whether the person is normal or healthy – in some cases preventing relationships before they can even start.

In a world of traits and spectrums, it is likely that many allists will also share autistic traits, such as being comfortable with routine, or a level of fatigue when it comes to prolonged eye contact, or having a somewhat obsessive private interest (in allistic speak, these would be hobbies and pastimes).