ep 139 - Autism Abolition Month w/ Anders Lee
Added 2021-04-14 11:01:01 +0000 UTCAndy and Anders have an intimate discussion about the history autism, starting in the coffeehouses of Red Vienna and ending in the imageboards of collapsing modernity. With a history rooted in eugenics, fascism, and neoliberalism, Anders questions the origins and continued necessity of the category while advocating for increased understanding and compassion for neurodivergency.
Follow Anders Lee and listen to Pod Damn America
Read his article "I Don't Believe in Autism": https://www.madinamerica.com/2019/02/i-dont-believe-in-autism/
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): https://autisticadvocacy.org/
Check out Aspergers are Us on Netflix and HBO
Opening song: Autistic Youth - Stones
Closing: Autistic Youth - Not for Me
Comments
Thank you so much for this episode, guys. I am a teacher. And one of my students these days is really showing me how needlessly narrow-minded and consequently scared of people like him I am. He is a wonder and a person of immense creativity. The episode has given me new insight into our developing relationship. Thank you again.
Tanya P.
2021-04-25 03:15:48 +0000 UTCClearly the response to Anders telling you he's autistic is to start cackling regain your composure and say "cool dude"
Mike Cee
2021-04-23 15:48:50 +0000 UTCMost importantly ... make everyone welcome. My boyfriend was diagnosed on the spectrum at 35. Yes it helped him to understand that he was fairly different from the norm. But then I have been fairly different from the norm all 50 of my years. Maybe it was different for me because I grew up in a fairly priveleged environment while he didn't.
Mark Chassy
2021-04-15 20:30:35 +0000 UTCAnders has it right, abolish these ideas of pathologizing any divergence from "typical" its corrosive
Taz
2021-04-15 05:50:31 +0000 UTCI'm of two minds here. On the one hand the origins of the autism label and pathology are terrible, and up until very recently an autism label was seen as a negative thing. On the other hand, especially amongst younger people, there has been an embrace of the neurodiversity movement. Think Greta. Ideally we could move away from the negative labeling, while keep the gains made in appreciation for neurodivergence.
Bilbo
2021-04-14 22:52:26 +0000 UTCHere’s the paper if people are interested: https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/117/1/656.full.pdf
Sebastian Wittekindt
2021-04-14 16:59:50 +0000 UTCI worked on a research project where we diagnosed the biological activity of 1000’s of genes that had been picked up in genome wide association studies of “autistic people” and the range of genes that show up is just staggering. They seem to be involved in so many different pathways that the idea that autism is a category or even a spectrum with two poles is ridiculous. The research is still useful to find new drugs but there is absolutely no credible evidence even from a deterministic biological perspective to argue for these classifications the way we use them today.
Sebastian Wittekindt
2021-04-14 16:48:19 +0000 UTCThis episode is a breath of fresh air. It’s going to piss off a lot of people, but I think you both handle the topic with care and respect. Good job, Andy!
Jeannette
2021-04-14 16:36:49 +0000 UTCI really applaud your bravery and outspoken opinion you’ve shown Anders. I have a 10 year old son who is brilliant and hilarious, diagnosed on the spectrum about 3 years ago for his inability to sit still and pay attention in school. I fought the diagnosis and wrote it off as him being a kid while his mother fought hard to get him help. Occupational therapy (thank god for my union job and the health insurance it provides my family) and one on one time in school and allowing him to take breaks and carry a figet toy has helped him tremendously. He is flourishing with the help he has received and it’s so true that the stigma around it as a label needs to be torn down and that everyone has there thing and we are all on the spectrum 👍 love you guys and all your lefty comrades keep up the great work
Albert Gunderson
2021-04-14 16:16:47 +0000 UTCFantastic episode. Agree with the other commenter that Andy does an excellent job interviewing here, and the discussion was refreshing!
Raya Cave
2021-04-14 13:54:03 +0000 UTCThat person is so normal...must be autistic.
Shane
2021-04-14 13:11:38 +0000 UTCI always found Andy to be a great interviewer. Very thorough. Very incisive. Very sympathetic. Keep up the good work.
enzothebaker88
2021-04-14 12:52:31 +0000 UTC
