The Harmful Narrative of Autism as Special Needs

The podcast episode explores the discomfort and negative impact of labeling autism as special needs or a superpower. The host, an autistic person, expresses their frustration with these terms, arguing that they perpetuate a patronizing and outdated medical model that views disability as solely the problem of the individual. They highlight the importance of understanding autism as a difference rather than something special, emphasizing that everyone has needs and that labeling some needs as special is unnecessary and harmful. The host challenges the idea that autism provides superpowers, asserting that it is a neurological developmental disability that comes with challenges and individual needs.