Journal
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF DISABILITY RESEARCH
Volume 21, Issue 1, Pages 150-157Publisher
STOCKHOLM UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.16993/sjdr.56
Keywords
critical race theory; disabilities studies; media studies; neurodiversity; ableism; social construction of normal
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A critical social sciences perspective, critical race and disability studies, media studies, lived experience, and the neurodivergence movement shape a conceptual framework in this paper to critique and resist popular media tropes of autistic people and their families. 'Normal' and its modern meanings are presented, followed by a theoretical re-framing. Then, an irreverent and informal critique of one example US newscast highlights the dominant narrative and invites readers to unlearn these myths of normal. Recurring hegemonic news frames reflect a larger culture where familial abuse and violence against autistic people is dangerously presented as reasonable. Counter narratives exist, however. Autism can be understood as a natural, integral, welcome part of a wider human neurodiversity that enriches society. Families and autistic advocates must work together to resist and respond to pressure to conform to myths of normality.
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