Neurodiversity as a Conceptual Lens and Topic of Cross-Cultural Study

Abstract

The neurodiversity movement argues that certain diagnoses implicating the brain, most notably autism, do not reflect neurological disorders but rather neurological diversity. Neurodiversity movements lie at the intersection of culture, mind, and brain as mind/brain discourses are taken up as cultural practice used in individual and collective identity formation as well as social and political action. Neurodiversity perspectives intersect with important considerations in bioethics, particularly around questions of respect and justice for autistic people. This chapter describes neurodiversity and related concepts, discusses the way neurodiversity can inform bioethics as a conceptual lens, and summarizes cross-cultural research on neurodiversity movements that can help address neurodiversity-informed bioethics questions. It concludes with proposed directions for future research.