Short messages on Disability from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
The social model of disability seeks to change society in order to accommodate people living with impairment; it does not seek to change persons with impairment to accommodate society. People with disability have a right to be fully participating citizens on an equal basis with others.
The social model of disability looks at ways of removing barriers that restrict life choices for disabled people. When barriers are removed, disabled people can be independent and equal in society, with choice and control over their own lives.
The social model of disability says that disability is caused by society’s failure to accommodate and accept a certain variation, rather than by a person’s impairment or difference.
While there is no ‘cure’ for autism, there are some approaches that people use to help with various difficulties they may experience. Strategies can be viewed on the National Autistic Society website.
For people with an autistic spectrum disorder, ‘body language’ can appear just as foreign as if people were speaking ancient Greek.
Many people with autism find it difficult to understand facial expressions, tone of voice, jokes and sarcasm – often interpreting language very literally.
Some people with autism may wonder why they are ‘different’ when they notice that other people appear to intuitively know how to communicate & interact with each other.
People with autism often have difficulty relating to, recognising and understanding other people’s emotions and feelings, and expressing their own, which can make it more difficult for them to fit in socially.
Along with the social difficulties, other characteristics of autism vary from one person to another and often include: love of routines, sensory sensitivity, special interests, and learning disabilities.
Many of the social problems with autism are because the person is trying to make sense of a society governed by largely implied, infinitely fluctuating rules.