Spaces on the Spectrum: How Autism Movements Resist Experts and Create Knowledge

Catherine Tan's book Spaces on the Spectrum explores two autism-focused movements, the autistic rights and alternative biomedical movements, which challenge dominant frameworks and provide insights into the roles of shared identity and communal networks in movements that question scientific and medical authority.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2024
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The growing visibility of movements that challenge conventional understandings of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental disability, is a significant development. Catherine Tan, through her extensive ethnographic fieldwork and in-depth interviews with participants, delves into two autism-focused movements, shedding new light on how members contest expert authority. In her insightful analysis, she explores the distinct struggles of these movements to gain legitimacy and represent the autistic community.

Examining their separate endeavors to establish credibility and advocate for autistic individuals, Tan develops a novel account of the importance of social movements as spaces for constructing knowledge that aims to challenge dominant frameworks. Through her meticulous research, she highlights how these movements provide a platform for individuals to voice their perspectives, share experiences, and challenge prevailing beliefs.

Spaces on the Spectrum takes a comprehensive approach, examining the autistic rights and alternative biomedical movements. These movements offer contrasting perspectives on autism, reimagining it as either a difference to be accepted or a sickness to be treated. Despite their differences, both movements provide valuable insights into the development, dissemination, and persistence of ideas that conflict with dominant beliefs.

The autistic rights movement is primarily composed of autistic adults who advocate for the recognition of autism as a natural human variation, rather than a disorder. They seek social and cultural inclusion, as well as policy changes, to promote the rights and well-being of autistic individuals. These activists challenge the medicalization of autism and advocate for a more inclusive and understanding society.

In contrast, the alternative biomedical movement is dominated by parents and practitioners who believe in the disproven idea that vaccines trigger autism. These individuals advocate for scientifically unsupported treatments to reverse the condition, often at the expense of established medical protocols. Despite their opposition to researchers, professionals, and parents outside their communities, the alternative biomedical movement has gained significant traction and support.

Spaces on the Spectrum offers timely insights into the roles of shared identity and communal networks in movements that question scientific and medical authority. Tan explores how these movements create a sense of belonging and solidarity among individuals who share a common experience of autism. She highlights the importance of building alliances and networks to amplify their voices and advocate for change.

Through her comprehensive analysis, Tan sheds light on the complexities and challenges faced by autistic individuals and their families. She emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of autism, one that recognizes the diversity of experiences and perspectives within the autistic community. Spaces on the Spectrum serves as a valuable contribution to the ongoing dialogue about autism and social movements, offering valuable insights into the ways in which individuals and communities are shaping the understanding and treatment of this developmental disability.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231206129