Issue Analysis Part II: Uncovering the Oppression These Populations Face

According to Webster's Dictionary, Oppression is defined as the "prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control" (Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary, 2016).

What I would like to discuss next is uncovering the oppression that these populations who are Neurodiverse face.  First, I will answer the question of: How does society, in general, react to this issue?

To answer this question I will present how Neurotypical brains are considered the "norm", and how this normalcy can be 

So what is considered to be the "normal" brain?  And where do we see this appear?  The normal brain is promoted everywhere.  We see it promoted in literature, on how others process information and engage with others.  We see it in social media and movies, especially those in a school setting, that creates an image of what friendship and engagement should look like.  We also see it with how others engage with one another, and comment when things seem abnormal or correcting a person when it comes across as wrong.

Examples of this may include engagement, for example.  Someone with ADHD who may need to engage and focus by fidgeting, or by drawing to stay focused; may be considered rude, not engaged, or annoying.  Again, this is the idea of a Neurotypical Brain vs a Neurodiverse brain.  The person with ADHD concentrates better with movement.  While a Neurotypical person needs to stay in front of the person without movement to pay attention.  Neither of these ways of engagement are wrong, just different.

Another example is when/if an Autistic person does not make eye contact with someone when engaging; they may be considered rude, uninterested, weird, or not not focused.  Who created the standard that making eye contact is a must?  An Autistic brain may find it awfully intrusive to have eye contact during a conversation, and will probably focus better when not doing so.  While, a Neurotypical Brain may need to make eye contact, and position body in front of person.  Both of engagement are correct.  Both ways work with the type of brain they were born with.

Here is a fun video of understanding Autistics (*has some strong language): Things Not to Say to Someone with Autism

Personal Interview (2018): "I knew something was different, when I was doing mock interviews.  We were told to make eye contact, but I could not do it!  It was so hard, and I felt like there must be something wrong with me, when I was being told something I should do, and I could not do it."

Society, unfortunately, has seen these different forms of engagement as being wrong and must be corrected.  The oppression that occurs is due to this myth that the normal brain exists.  It does not exist, and the fact is that there are brains of all kinds.  They are minorities in a society that attempts to decide for them what is right and wrong.

Unfortunately, due to these differences, what has been seen with Autistics, ADHDers, and Neurodiverse individuals as a whole are abuse, neglect, misunderstandings, academic underachievement, disadvantages in the workplace and higher depressive and anxiety disorders.  There are marginalizations which have left these individuals behind, and making it hard to catch up with the rest of society.  Not because of their own deficits, but because of the lens society places upon this population (Hallahan, Kauffman & Pullen, 2014 & Siegel, 2015).

Adults with ADHD and Work (ADHD Institute, 2018)

Adult Autistics and Work (National Autistic Society, 2016)

As you can see in the statistics above, the employment inequities vary between the groups.  But what is consistent are lesser amounts of these Neurodiverse individuals in the work.  Why is this?  My personal conclusion, lack of representation in the workplace.  Lack of understanding their skill set, abilities and inevitably understanding who they are as people.  This is oppressive and unfortunate, whether people in larger society want to see it or not.  Many of these individuals want to work and contribute and are not given the chance to do so.

How Does the Media Impact Perspectives

The media also has a role to play in the way in which these individuals are engaged with in the larger society.  Movies and TV shows such as Rain Man, where there is an expected person to be a genius who is autistic, but can never be alone.  There is Phil Dunphey from Modern Family who has ADHD, and as much as it is a fun and funny show; the man is successful and the butt-end of all the jokes.  In addition, the show The Good Doctor, about an autistic doctor, making his ability to be literal as a joke, and having genius abilities in having Savant Syndrome, and many more.  A full list can be found here: Films with ADHD Characters, Films with Autistic Characters

Now, I have watched some of these shows, I have to admit.  And I do appreciate some of the narratives and the entertainment.  However, the comic relief and awe of these unique characters gives people an idea of what Neurodiverse individuals should be like: Funny, Awkward, Comic-Relief, Weird, Smart, and Different.  Now, these are great; but they all are sidekicks, outcasts and supported cast typically.  This has created an image of these populations to be considered second best.

*I must admit, that there are some changes in the media that are doing better to portray those who are Neurodiverse.  The Netflix Original: Atypical attempts to do this.

Next we will discuss who is impacted by this overall...