A Critical Analysis of Their Impact on Neurodiversity
Success stories are everywhere in our society. Think of figures like Temple Grandin, a highly accomplished autistic woman who revolutionized livestock farming and autism advocacy. While her achievements are certainly impressive, the focus on such success stories raises questions about the message this sends to other neurodivergent people. These stories often highlight exceptional accomplishments, but what does this mean for neurodivergent individuals who may not reach such heights?
There are some issues with success stories that make them problematic for neurodivergent individuals. Sometimes they set unrealistic expectations, and sometimes they reinforce harmful stereotypes. Through concrete examples, I will try to present alternatives that offer a more realistic view of daily life and the diversity within the neurodivergent community.
A One-Sided Focus on Exceptions: The Case of Elon Musk
When public figures like Elon Musk, who has suggested he may be on the autism spectrum (even if a lot of people don’t agree with him), appear in the media, the spotlight is often on his remarkable achievements as the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. Of course, these stories forget to mention that Elon has a lot of personality issues that make him more excentric than autistic.
But most important of all: the implicit message conveyed is that neurodivergent people are only valuable or successful if they perform at the same level as neurotypical individuals, or even better. This creates a narrow view of what success means and what neurodiversity acceptance should entail.
The problem with this focus is that it neglects the diversity within the neurodivergent community. It leaves individuals who may not meet such high standards feeling like they fall short. Neurodiversity is about recognizing different ways of thinking, feeling, and functioning, and that diversity is often overshadowed by stories that glorify exceptional achievements.
Pressure on Neurodivergent People: The Story of Anna
Take, for example, Anna, an autistic woman who works as an administrative assistant. She does her job well but often deals with fatigue and stress due to sensory overload. Still, she functions within her own capacities. When she hears about neurodivergent individuals becoming CEOs or winning awards, she questions why she hasn’t achieved the same. She feels pressured to prove herself and accomplish something “big,” which adds a constant burden.
When Anna hears about neurodivergent individuals becoming CEOs or winning awards, she questions why she hasn’t achieved the same.
The pressure to perform like those in success stories can lead neurodivergent individuals like Anna to experience burnout or feelings of inadequacy simply because they compare themselves to unrealistic examples. Not everyone can, or needs to, perform at a high level, and it’s important to acknowledge that success looks different for everyone.
Reinforcing the ‘Supercrip’ Narrative: The Story of Chris Nikic
Chris Nikic, a young man with Down syndrome, became famous for being the first person with his diagnosis to complete an Ironman triathlon. While this is undeniably an impressive feat, it also exemplifies the so-called ‘supercrip’ narrative. This stereotype suggests that neurodivergent or disabled people are only admirable when they achieve extraordinary things, like completing a triathlon.
The ‘supercrip’ narrative reinforces the belief that neurodivergent individuals must overcome their limitations to be valued, which is an unrealistic and harmful standard.
Although Chris’s story is inspiring, it places the focus on accomplishments rather than on the acceptance of diversity. Many people with Down syndrome or autism will never run a triathlon, and that shouldn’t be the benchmark for their worth. The ‘supercrip’ narrative reinforces the belief that neurodivergent individuals must overcome their limitations to be valued, which is an unrealistic and harmful standard.
For Lisa, success isn’t about running a billion-dollar company; it’s about finding joy and fulfillment in her daily work.
An Alternative to Success Stories: The Everyday Reality of People Like Lisa
Lisa, a woman with ADHD, loves her job as a librarian. She struggles with organizing her thoughts and her hyperactivity can be challenging at times, but she has found a way to channel her energy into creatively helping patrons. For her, success isn’t about running a billion-dollar company; it’s about finding joy and fulfillment in her daily work.
Lisa’s story demonstrates that success can be found in small, everyday moments. It’s important to share stories like Lisa’s, where the focus is on living a full and satisfying life without the need to meet the exceptional standards often implied by success stories.
Ahmed’s worth isn’t tied to grand achievements, but to the way he consistently does his job with care and builds a stable life in a way that works for him.
Diversity of Experiences: Ahmed’s Contribution
Ahmed, a man with autism, works part-time at a local bakery. His quiet demeanor and attention to detail make him a valuable employee, but he sometimes struggles with social interactions. Although he’s not praised in the media for extraordinary accomplishments, he contributes to his community every day by baking bread and serving customers with kindness.
Ahmed’s story is an example of the diversity of experiences within the neurodivergent community. His worth isn’t tied to grand achievements, but to the way he consistently does his job with care and builds a stable life in a way that works for him. These kinds of stories are essential for painting a more realistic picture of neurodiversity.
A Critical Approach to Success Stories: Why We Should Hear Eva’s Story
Eva is a woman with a learning disability who has never been in the spotlight. She takes care of her children, helps at their school, and volunteers in the local community. Although her story might not be seen as “successful” in the traditional sense, it shows how important it is to emphasize normalizing neurodiversity rather than glorifying exceptional achievements.
Eva’s experience illustrates that neurodivergent individuals, like everyone else, deserve respect and recognition for who they are, regardless of their accomplishments. It’s about giving them the space to function and contribute to society in their own way, without holding them to an unrealistic standard.
Conclusion
While success stories can be well-meaning, they often contribute to harmful stereotypes and unrealistic expectations for the neurodivergent community. By focusing on exceptional achievements, we overlook the everyday realities and diverse experiences of neurodivergent individuals. This can make them feel like they must perform in order to be valued, leading to stress and feelings of inadequacy.
It is far more powerful to focus on the daily realities and diversity of experiences of neurodivergent people, like Lisa, Ahmed, and Eva. By sharing their stories, we can create a more realistic and inclusive view of neurodiversity and emphasize the importance of a society that is open to different ways of being.
The European Autist 