Two Lenses, One Goal: Helping Autistic People Thrive — by Bridging Clinical Tools & Neurodiversity Wisdom

When we talk about autism, we often hear two very different stories: one from the clinic, and one from the community.

What if we didn't have to choose?

What if the real strength comes from seeing through both lenses — to help Autistic people truly thrive?

1. The Two Perspectives (Explained without judgment)

Clinical View (DSM-5 / Medical Model)

Purpose: Standardizes diagnosis so people can access support (therapy, Individualized Education Programs or IEPs, insurance).

Strengths:

Provides a common language for research and treatment
Makes schools and workplaces legally obliged to help (where disability policies exist)

Limitations:

Risks framing autism only as a disorder (pathologizing)
Focuses more on deficits than on unique strengths (e.g., sensory gifts, pattern recognition)

Social Justice View (Neurodiversity Movement)

Purpose: Frames autism as a natural variation, not a defect.

Strengths:

Centers Autistic voices (“Nothing about us without us”)
Challenges societal norms that can harm Autistic people (e.g., why force eye contact?)

Limitations:

Can sometimes idealize autism and overlook or minimize real challenges (romanticizing)
Lacks formal legal standing (e.g., schools often won’t act without a clinical diagnosis)

Analogy: The clinical view is like a map — it helps you navigate systems. The neurodiversity view is like a compass — it keeps you oriented toward Autistic well-being.

We need both.

2. Why Awareness Matters (For Therapists and Parents)

For Therapists: Avoid harm (e.g., forcing eye contact to “normalize” clients can create distress)
For Parents: Reduce guilt and shame (“Did I cause this?” → “How can I support my child’s thriving?”)

Shared risk: Without both views, we might:

Pathologize normal behaviors (e.g., treating harmless stimming as “bad”)
Miss systemic solutions (e.g., blaming meltdowns on the child instead of classroom fluorescent lights)

Example: A therapist uses DSM-5 to secure speech therapy (clinical lens) but supports Augmentative and Alternative communication (AAC) instead of forcing verbal speech (neurodiversity lens).

3. Bridging the Gap (Practical Steps)

For Therapists & Counselors:

a. Diagnose to empower, not to limit: Use Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) criteria to open doors to resources – not to define potential. b. Ask Autistic clients: "What helps you thrive?" instead of "How can we fix you?" c. Train in neurodiversity-affirming practices: Replace traditional “social skills” classes with broader “communication access” approaches (e.g., helping neurotypicals embrace different speaking styles).

For Parents:

a. Use the clinical lens to secure support: Fight for IEPs without internalizing “broken” narratives. b. Connect with Autistic mentors: Learn long-term thriving strategies from those who’ve lived it. c. Adjust environments, not just children: Instead of stopping stimming, ask schools to allow fidget tools.

Shared Actions:

Amplify Autistic voices: Follow #ActuallyAutistic advocates.
Challenge "inspiration porn": Avoid stories that praise Autistic people just for “overcoming” their neurology.
Push for systemic change: Advocate for sensory-friendly spaces in schools, workplaces, and public settings.

Closing Invitation

We don’t have to choose between these lenses – we truly need both.

The clinical map helps open doors; the neurodiversity compass helps ensure those doors lead somewhere safe, empowering, and welcoming.

Let’s use both – so every Autistic person can feel understood, supported, and truly belong.

NOTE

This reflection is based on my observations and comes from personal reflections as well as my conversations with colleagues and the wider community.

I do not position myself as an autism specialist – rather, as someone deeply interested in how we can bridge perspectives to better support Autistic individuals and families and deeply curious about how we can do better, together.