Open AccessAutism, Rhetoric, and Whiteness
Author(s) -
Paul Heilker
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
disability studies quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2159-8371
pISSN - 1041-5718
DOI - 10.18061/dsq.v32i4.1756
Subject(s) - autism , rhetoric , rhetorical question , ableism , phenomenon , white supremacy , construct (python library) , sociology , economic justice , narrative , white (mutation) , inclusion (mineral) , psychology , political science , gender studies , developmental psychology , art , epistemology , law , linguistics , race (biology) , literature , philosophy , biochemistry , chemistry , computer science , gene , programming language
Keywords: autism, rhetoric, whiteness This paper first explicates various forces working to construct autism as an overwhelmingly white phenomenon in public discourse, including popular films, television programming, "armchair" internet diagnoses, "geek chic," "shiny" autistics, "Aspie supremacy," the rhetorics of autism advocacy organizations, special education, access to health care, and parental education levels. It then considers the epistemological and rhetorical implications of autistic whiteness, including an examination of its functions in Burkean identification and its possible operation in educational, workplace, criminal justice, and governmental contexts.