Neuroqueer Heresies

1. Embrace Neurodiversity: Minds Vary Naturally

Neurodiversity—the diversity among minds—is a natural, healthy, and valuable form of human diversity.

Human minds are diverse. Neurodiversity is the recognition that human minds vary infinitely in neurocognitive functioning. This variation is as natural and valuable as diversity in ethnicity, gender, or culture. It's not a deficit, but a fundamental aspect of the human species.

Rejecting "normal." The neurodiversity paradigm challenges the idea that there is one "normal" or "right" way for brains to function. Just as monoculture in agriculture is vulnerable, a lack of cognitive diversity limits societal potential. Embracing neurodiversity means recognizing the value of different ways of thinking, perceiving, and interacting with the world.

Neurodiversity in practice. Schools, workplaces, and communities should adapt to accommodate a wide range of neurocognitive styles. This includes providing flexible learning environments, sensory-friendly spaces, and communication methods that cater to different needs. By embracing neurodiversity, we create a more inclusive and equitable society for everyone.

2. Reject the Pathology Paradigm: "Normal" is a Myth

The concept of a “normal brain” or a “normal person” has no more objective scientific validity—and serves no better purpose—than the concept of a “master race.”

Pathology paradigm defined. The pathology paradigm assumes there's a "right" way for brains to be configured and function. It frames deviations from this "norm" as disorders or conditions needing treatment. This paradigm leads to the stigmatization and dehumanization of neurodivergent individuals.

Harmful consequences. The pathology paradigm fuels harmful practices like abusive "behavioral therapies" aimed at making autistic individuals appear neurotypical. It also perpetuates negative stereotypes and limits opportunities for neurodivergent people. The focus shifts from supporting well-being to "fixing" perceived deficits.

Shifting perspectives. Rejecting the pathology paradigm requires a radical shift in language and mindset. Instead of focusing on "symptoms" and "treatments," we should embrace the language of diversity and acceptance. This means recognizing the inherent worth and potential of all neurocognitive styles.

3. Neurodivergence and Disability: Context Matters

Within the social model of disability, when we say that a person is disabled, we mean that society isn’t properly set up to enable their participation, and instead is often set up in a way that creates barriers to their participation

Social vs. medical models. The medical model views disability as an individual deficit, while the social model sees it as a result of societal barriers. The social model distinguishes between impairment (lacking a specific capacity) and disability (being disabled by a non-accommodating society).

Context-dependent disability. Disability is not a fixed state but varies depending on the environment. A wheelchair user is less disabled in a city with accessible infrastructure than in one without. Similarly, a dyslexic person is more disabled in a literacy-focused environment that doesn't provide accommodations.

Enablement, not disablement. The goal should be to create a society that enables the participation of all individuals, regardless of their neurocognitive style. This requires addressing societal attitudes, removing systemic barriers, and providing appropriate accommodations. Enablement is the solution to disablement.

4. Neurocosmopolitanism: Celebrate Cognitive Diversity

Neurocosmopolitanism consists of approaching neurodiversity in the same spirit in which the cosmopolite approaches cultural diversity.

Cosmopolitanism applied to minds. Neurocosmopolitanism extends the principles of cosmopolitanism (open-minded embracing of cultural diversity) to neurodiversity. It involves actively engaging with and preserving human neurodiversity, honoring its creative potentials, and maintaining humility and openness to learning.

Beyond mere acceptance. Neurocosmopolitanism goes beyond tolerance and accommodation to actively celebrate and engage with cognitive differences. It recognizes that diversity is a source of creative potential and societal enrichment.

Cultivating neurocosmopolitanism. This involves transcending neuroprovincialism (viewing one's own neurocognitive style as the "normal" default) and actively seeking to understand and appreciate different ways of thinking and perceiving. It also requires creating environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive and contribute their unique talents.

5. Autism: Beyond Deficits, A Different Operating System

Autism is a genetically-based human neurological variant.

Autism as neurological variation. Autism is a genetically-based neurological variant characterized by high synaptic connectivity and responsiveness. This leads to a more intense and chaotic subjective experience. It's not a disorder, but a different way of processing information.

Distinctive traits. Autistic individuals often have atypical ways of thinking, moving, interacting, and processing sensory information. This can be likened to having a different neurological "operating system" than neurotypical individuals.

Social challenges as byproducts. Social difficulties faced by autistic individuals are often byproducts of their intense sensory and cognitive experiences. The constant effort to navigate and integrate this experience leaves less attention and energy for social subtleties. This is often misconstrued as "social deficits."

6. Person-First Language: Autistiphobia in Disguise

Person-first language is rooted in autistiphobia and anti-autistic bigotry, and its use is widely recognized by most of the autistic community as being a reliable indicator of autistiphobic attitudes.

The problem with "person with autism." Person-first language (e.g., "person with autism") is often promoted as respectful, but it's rooted in the belief that being autistic is inherently negative. It implies that autism is something separate from the person, a "condition" they "have."

Autistic identity. Most autistic individuals prefer identity-first language (e.g., "autistic person") because autism is an integral part of who they are. It shapes their experiences, thoughts, and perceptions. Separating the person from their autism is seen as invalidating and disrespectful.

Autistiphobia revealed. The insistence on person-first language often stems from autistiphobia – a fear or hatred of autistic people. It's a way for non-autistic individuals to distance themselves from autism and maintain a sense of "normalcy." Using identity-first language is a way to challenge this bigotry and affirm autistic identity.

7. Stimming: Self-Regulation, Exploration, and More

To stim is to engage in any action that falls outside the boundaries of the social performance of normativity, and that provides some form of sensory stimulation in order to facilitate, intentionally or otherwise, some particular cognitive or sensorimotor process, or access to some particular state or capacity of consciousness or sensorimotor experience.

Beyond "self-stimulatory behavior." Stimming (self-stimulatory behavior) involves repetitive movements or actions that provide sensory stimulation. It's often pathologized as a dysfunctional symptom, but it serves vital functions for autistic individuals.

Functions of stimming. Stimming helps regulate sensory input, manage emotions, and integrate experiences. It can also be a way of exploring the sensory world and accessing flow states. It's not just a coping mechanism, but a form of self-expression and exploration.

Reclaiming stimming. By reframing stimming as a positive and purposeful behavior, we can challenge negative stereotypes and create more accepting environments for autistic individuals. This includes allowing and even encouraging stimming, rather than trying to suppress it.

8. Neurotypicality: A Culturally Constructed Performance

When we say someone is neurotypical, what we mean is that they live, act, and experience the world in a way that consistently falls within the boundaries of neuronormativity—i.e., within the boundaries of what the prevailing culture imagines a person with a “normal mind” to be like.

Neuronormativity defined. Neurotypicality isn't about having a "normal brain," but about performing neuronormativity – conforming to societal expectations of how a "normal" person should think, act, and experience the world. It's a performance, not an inherent trait.

Privilege and compliance. Neurotypical individuals are rewarded with privilege for consistently complying with neuronormative standards. This privilege includes being seen as "normal" and avoiding discrimination. However, this compliance can come at the cost of suppressing one's true self.

Challenging neuronormativity. Recognizing neurotypicality as a performance allows us to challenge its dominance and create space for neurodivergent individuals to thrive. This involves questioning societal expectations and embracing diverse ways of being.

9. Neuroqueering: Subverting Norms, Reclaiming Self

I originally conceived of neuroqueer as a verb: neuroqueering as the practice of queering (subverting, defying, disrupting, liberating oneself from) neuronormativity and heteronormativity simultaneously.

Queering neuronormativity. Neuroqueering is the practice of subverting both neuronormativity and heteronormativity. It involves challenging societal expectations and reclaiming one's capacity for self-expression and authentic embodiment.

Entwined norms. Neuroqueering recognizes that neuronormativity and heteronormativity are deeply intertwined. Liberating oneself from one requires liberating oneself from the other. It's about dismantling systems of oppression that limit individual potential.

Practices of neuroqueering. Neuroqueering involves a range of practices, including:

• Consciously exploring the intersection of neurodivergence and queerness
• Expressing neurodivergence in ways that queer gender and sexuality
• Undoing cultural conditioning and reclaiming one's unique inclinations
• Intentionally altering neurocognitive processes to diverge from norms
• Creating art, literature, and scholarship that foreground neuroqueer experiences

10. Neuroqueer Theory: A Horizon of Possibility

“Queer,” in any case, does not designate a class of already objectified pathologies or perversions; rather, it describes a horizon of possibility whose precise extent and heterogeneous scope cannot in principle be delimited in advance.

Beyond essentialism. Neuroqueer Theory transcends essentialist identity politics by treating identity as fluid and customizable. It emphasizes the importance of practice over fixed categories. Neuroqueer is a verb first, an adjective second.

Radical inclusivity. Neuroqueering is something anyone can do, regardless of their neurocognitive style, gender, or sexual orientation. It's about engaging with one's potentials for creativity, well-being, and beautiful weirdness.

A call to action. Neuroqueer Theory is a call to action, inviting individuals to explore the infinite possibilities of self-transformation and societal change. It's about creating a world where everyone is free to be their authentic, neuroqueer selves.

Last updated: March 10, 2025