In 1970 April was first named Autism Awareness month and in 1988 declared to officially be Autism Awareness month in the U.S. It has now blossomed into an awesome celebration of Neurodiversity! The term neurodiversity was first named by Judy Singer, a white Australian sociologist in her thesis in 1998 and the term neurodivergent was first named by Kassiane Asasumasu, a biracial, multiply neurodivergent American activist in 2000. It is also important to note that the neurodiversity movement is part of the disability justice movement, which views neurodivergence as a disability, and disability itself as a neutral, non-pathologizing word to describe someone who has limitations/difficulty in their ability to manage their health and wellness, navigate systems, or navigate out in the world.
Curious to learn more?
Please click here to download an information packet compiled by Lauren Dehler, Psy.D., PDA Autistic Clinical Psychologist.