We are still changelings: Neuro-exoticism, and the hyper-invisibility of Autism

Abstract

Through the lens of Autism, this text will propose the existence of and analyse the historical and mechanical parallels between racist exoticism and what I will call neuro-exoticism. A growing body of texts from academia as well as from the Autistic community has readily identified and analysed the intertwined colonial histories between racism and (cognitive) ableism, as well criticised the many past and contemporary exploitations of (implied/ascribed) neurodivergence for the mere gratification of non-Autistic audiences. Drawing from this, I will argue for and critique the existence of neuro-exoticism—which significantly parallels racist exoticism. As will be thoroughly discussed, these parallels exist within, among other areas, their entangled origins, evolutions, mechanisms, means, and ends. An aspect unique to neuro-exoticism is hyper-/invisibility, which describes the contradictory state in which neurodivergence and neurodivergent people exist wherein they are simultaneously invisibilised and hypervisibilised, which the continued functioning of neuro-exoticism requires. This text aims to reinforce the understanding that people of colour and neurodivergent people share oppressors and have conjoined liberations, which furthermore serves as a cry to continue to join forces. Additionally, despite this text focussing on Autism, I argue that neuro-exoticism applies to the full spectrum of neurodivergence and affects all neurodivergent people.