Aletheia
Well-known member
My nephew has Asperger's Syndrome. A generation ago, that would have marked him out as a freak and an “acceptable” target for bullying. These days, now that the condition is recognised, his teachers educate his classmates about why he is the way he is. He likes his classmates, and they like him, even if he does prefer to play by himself.
And yet introverts, who make up a far greater proportion of the population that Autistics, are far less widely understood or accepted. I hear the term “introvert” used as a criticism all the time. How many of us were teased for it? How many of us pretend to be something we're not, just to please workmates and loved ones?
After reading about the Neurodiversity and Mad Pride movements, I wonder if introverts need something similar. Something to teach people that not everyone sees the world the way they do. Something to teach people that it takes all sorts. Something to teach people that it's okay to be different.
And yet introverts, who make up a far greater proportion of the population that Autistics, are far less widely understood or accepted. I hear the term “introvert” used as a criticism all the time. How many of us were teased for it? How many of us pretend to be something we're not, just to please workmates and loved ones?
After reading about the Neurodiversity and Mad Pride movements, I wonder if introverts need something similar. Something to teach people that not everyone sees the world the way they do. Something to teach people that it takes all sorts. Something to teach people that it's okay to be different.