Ableism - or "ability perception" - is a system of discrimination, prejudice, and social stigmas directed towards people with physical, mental, or neurological disabilities (such as Autism and ADHD). Ableism is based on the mistaken assumption that "typical" bodies and minds are superior, correct, and most desirable, and that any deviation from them represents a defect to be fixed or cured.
In the autistic context, ableism manifests in several key ways:
Overt Ableism: Exerting exhausting and demanding pressure on the person to engage in Masking and Camouflaging to appear neurotypical, or denying sensory and cognitive accessibility in workplaces and educational institutions.
Covert Ableism ("Good Intentions"): Phenomena such as Infantilization (a dismissive or childish attitude towards an autistic adult), or turning the person into an "inspiration" simply for performing normal daily activities.
Internalized Ableism: A state where the autistic person themselves internalizes society's negative messages, feeling guilt, shame, or a sense of "defectiveness" when experiencing difficulties (such as an internal collapse or difficulty with Executive Functioning).
The Neurodiversity movement fights ableism and promotes the Social Model of Disability, according to which the person's main difficulty does not stem from their neurological difference, but from society's refusal to make the environment accessible for them and to respect their unique needs.