Social vs Medical Models of Disability

The medical model views disability as a deficiency or deviation from the norm, often focusing on the individual's impairments or medical conditions. With the medical model of disability, autism is seen as a problem and a disorder. Autism is viewed as something which needs treating and is seen as something to be fixed or cured rather than understood and accommodated. This perspective often leads to interventions aimed at making autistic individuals behave more like their non-autistic peers, rather than recognising and valuing their natural differences. The medical model can contribute to stigma, reinforcing the idea that autistic people are "broken" or "less than" rather than acknowledging their unique strengths and needs.

The social model of disability views autism not as a problem but as a natural difference in human neurology. It recognises that difficulties arise not from being autistic itself but from a society that is not designed to accommodate autistic ways of thinking, communicating, and experiencing the world. This model argues that it is not the person that is the problem but rather the environment. If a person in a wheelchair needs to enter a building with steps, is the problem with the person or the lack of a ramp? Rather than focusing on changing autistic individuals, the social model emphasises the need for acceptance, inclusion, and adjustments that enable autistic people to thrive. This perspective values autistic strengths and challenges harmful societal attitudes, reducing stigma and promoting a more supportive and accessible environment for all.