A paradigm shift to neurodiversity model in the representations of autism spectrum disorder: in what ways do autistic Japanese YouTubers challenge the medical view of autism?

The medical model defines autism as disorder and disability which includes deficits in social communication, repetitive behaviour, abnormalities in sensory processing and cognition. The definition implies a need for a cure and alleviating autistic traits. However, the medical model has been challenged by the neurodiversity model, which understands autism as a neurological difference rather than a disorder. The neurodiversity movement started in English speaking autistic online communities and aims to embrace the differences, reduce stigma and create autistic culture. This thesis aims to find out if, and in what ways, do Japanese autistic Youtubers challenge the medical model. There is a lack of studies on Japanese autistic communities, neurodiversity movement and first-person views. Ten YouTube videos made on autism by Japanese autistic or other neurodivergent people were selected for qualitative narrative analysis. While most YouTubers presented a conception similar to the medical...Show moreThe medical model defines autism as disorder and disability which includes deficits in social communication, repetitive behaviour, abnormalities in sensory processing and cognition. The definition implies a need for a cure and alleviating autistic traits. However, the medical model has been challenged by the neurodiversity model, which understands autism as a neurological difference rather than a disorder. The neurodiversity movement started in English speaking autistic online communities and aims to embrace the differences, reduce stigma and create autistic culture. This thesis aims to find out if, and in what ways, do Japanese autistic Youtubers challenge the medical model. There is a lack of studies on Japanese autistic communities, neurodiversity movement and first-person views. Ten YouTube videos made on autism by Japanese autistic or other neurodivergent people were selected for qualitative narrative analysis. While most YouTubers presented a conception similar to the medical model, they also subtly challenged it by presenting themselves as an authority on autism, showing the positive sides of autism, critiquing universal applicability of stereotypes, using labels for autism created in autistic communities and suggesting changes in the socio-cultural environment as a way to mitigate challenges. While there were no direct references to the neurodiversity movement, there has been an increase in online content made by autistic people, which enables changes in discourse in future.Show less

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A paradigm shift to neurodiversity model in the representations of autism spectrum disorder: in what ways do autistic Japanese YouTubers challenge the medical view of autism?