Perceptions of diversity: the parent / self-advocate divide

This presentation gives a simple overview of the common ways in which autism is defined, before using a personal case study of a father and son on the spectrum in order to highlight the issues that are raised in the definition of autism, and how these ideas frame common understandings and perceptions. This presentation highlights how although there is great diversity between those on the spectrum, that there is also many potential similarities between those deemed ‘verbal’ or ‘high-functioning’, and those classed as ‘non’ or ‘pre-verbal’ and ‘low-functioning’. This discussion then lays a foundation for an exploration of the political issues and differences in perception and narratives between the diversity of parental accounts of advocacy and those of autistic people themselves.