| Abstract | Autizam se od samoga početka promatrao izvana kroz vidljiva ponašanja dok se potpuno zanemarivao pogled iznutra, odnosno iskustveni doživljaj onih koji su autistični. Prevladavajuće teorije koje objašnjavaju autizam upravo su temeljene na opažanju ponašanja ne uzimajući u obzir kakvo je iskustvo autističnoga bivanja zbog čega je takvo znanje površno. Postoje značajno različiti načini definiranja autizma, od onih definicija temeljenih na deficitima, do onih koje autizam promatraju kao dio neuroraznolikosti. Nova paradigma neuroraznolikosti, koja se suprotstavlja dominantnoj medicinskoj paradigmi, mogla bi imati drastični utjecaj na poimanje autizma i način pružanja podrške autističnim osobama, kao i njihovim obiteljima. U posljednje vrijeme, pod utjecajem pokreta neuroraznolikosti i autističnih samozastupnika, pojavilo se mnogo različitih rasprava koje uključuju razmatranje krajnjih ciljeva i prioriteta intervencija, pri čemu je važno uvažavati mišljenja autistične zajednice. Važno je potruditi se shvatiti koncept ablizma i njegovoga očitovanja u korištenju jezika kako bi se poboljšala istraživanja koja se tiču autistične zajednice. Nužno je suprotstaviti se lošoj i zastarjeloj znanosti koja dovodi do dehumanizacije autistične populacije. Ako se u obzir uzme kako znanost ima za cilj doći do otkrića koja će potencijalno poboljšati ljudske živote, tada su niski standardi u znanosti neprihvatljivi i pogrešni naspram njezine istinske i primarne svrhe. Istraživači bi trebali refleksivno se baviti autizmom preispitujući vlastite vrijednosti i uvjerenja vezana uz autizam, kao i osvijestiti vlastitu pogrešivost. Za par godina bi se sadašnje najnaprednije spoznaje o autizmu mogle smatrati zastarjelima te je stoga nužno biti spreman na prilagodbu i konstantno učenje.
Cilj je ovoga rada preispitati službenu medicinsku definiciju autizma kroz pregled suvremenih i manje poznatih spoznaja na području definiranja i poimanja autizma i kognitivnih različitosti. Na taj će se način kritički pristupiti općeprihvaćenim teorijama i uvjerenjima o autizmu te ponuditi novi pogled prožet paradigmom neuroraznolikosti. Suvremene spoznaje iznesene u radu imaju važne implikacije za praksu, provedbe istraživanja i poimanje autizma u društvu te stručnoj i akademskoj zajednici u kojima još uvijek dominira medicinska paradigma. |
| Abstract (english) | Since the very beginning, autism has been observed from the outside through visible behaviors, while the view from the inside, that is, the experience of being autistic, has been completely ignored. The prevailing theories that explain autism are based on the observation of behavior without taking into account what the experience of being autistic is, which is why such knowledge is superficial. There are significantly different ways of defining autism, from deficit-based definitions to those that view autism as part of neurodiversity. The new neurodiversity paradigm, which opposes the dominant medical paradigm, could have a drastic impact on the understanding of autism and the way autistic people, as well as their families are supported. Recently, under the influence of the neurodiversity movement and autistic self-advocates, there have been many different discussions that include reconsideration of the ultimate goals and priorities of interventions, where it is important to respect the opinions of the autistic community. It is important to make an effort to understand the concept of ableism and its manifestation in language use in order to improve research concerning the autistic community. It is necessary to oppose the bad and outdated science that leads to the dehumanization of the autistic population. Considering that science aims to make discoveries that will potentially improve human lives, then low standards in science are unacceptable and wrong given its true and primary purpose. Autism researchers should be reflexive about their work by questioning their own values and beliefs related to autism, as well as being aware of their own fallibility. In a few years, the current most advanced knowledge about autism could be considered outdated, and therefore it is necessary to be ready to adapt and constantly learn.
The aim of this paper is to review the official medical definition of autism through an overview of contemporary and lesser-known knowledge in the field of defining and understanding autism and cognitive differences. In this way, generally accepted theories and beliefs about autism will be approached critically, and a new perspective imbued with the paradigm of neurodiversity will be offered. The contemporary knowledge presented in the paper has important implications for practice, research implementation and understanding of autism in society and the professional and academic community, where the medical paradigm still dominates. |
