|| First published: | Last edited: || 📚🕒 Reading Time: 2 minutes Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice against people with physical or mental disabilities.
In an ableist society, it’s assumed that the “normal” way to live is as a non-disabled person and that every disabled person needs to or wants to “get rid of” their condition.
Ableism includes discrimination against neurodivergent individuals as well.
Barriers neurodivergent individuals face in an ableist society
Missing or incorrect diagnosis
Underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis are still common. Dated stereotypes mean many people fall through the cracks and are refused support because they don’t “look autistic” or do not present their ADHD in a stereotypical way. Even when someone insists on getting diagnosed, their adaptations and masking are not always taken into consideration, and neurodivergent adults are often dismissed or even denied assessments.
Not having access to the support they need means individuals are left to struggle on their own, often believing their difficulties are their own fault. They will have difficulty breaking out of a vicious circle of trying and failing and thus will be unable to achieve their goals and meet their needs of belonging, acceptance, and living a full human experience.
Mental Health Issues
Lack of support, harmful stereotypes, stigma and neglect can lead to or exacerbate depression and anxiety.
Often when people ask for help, a professional not well-versed in neurodivergence or learning difficulties can mistake their struggles as a classic case of generalised anxiety or major depressive disorder when in reality, the mental health issues on the surface mask the underlying cause of neurodivergence and unmet needs relating to that.
Professionals missing the signs of underlying conditions can, in the worst-case scenario, trap people in endless maintenance of surface-level non-solutions, and prevent long-term progress from happening.
Discrimination and oppression
Harmful views, prejudice and ignorance can hold back individuals from accessing the support they need and living a fulfilling life. It also affects social mobility: discrimination can lead to worse educational outcomes and restricted access to work opportunities and promotions, and this, in turn, hinders individuals from improving their quality of life and stabilising their financial situation.
