Loud Hands in the Library Neurodiversity in LIS Theory & Practice

 Lawrence, E. (2013). Loud Hands in the Library Neurodiversity in LIS Theory & Practice. Progressive Library Guild. http://www.progressivelibrariansguild.org/Braverman/Braverman2013.pdf

Lawrence asks how might we approach neurological difference in a library setting’s physical layout. Something I haven't thought about before. 

Lawrence introduces numerous approaches to neurodiversity including the Medical Approach, the Social Approach and the Neurodiversity-Based Approach. Some differentiation on these approaches help clear up common questions librarians have about disability and neurodiversity. The medical approach is more qualitative and less sensitive to people’s humanity. Doctors speak of Autism as an epidemic and see the spectrum as only "high to low functioning".  The social approach is the most common approach in society and the “social model depicts disability as a socially constructed phenomenon, the product of systematic discrimination” (Lawrence 3). The Neurodiversity-Based Approach is a more contemporary approach.   “Neurodiversity advocates seek “better social support mechanisms, greater understanding from those around them or those who treat them, and a recognition that, though they are neurologically, cognitively and behaviorally different, they do not necessarily suffer from being neuro-diverse nor do they need to be cured” (Fenton & Krahn, 2007; Lawrence, 4). 

Lawrence does justice to this topic by highlighting the lack of publications on these issues including only 3 articles on Assistive Technology is shocking. This brings this issue to the information professionals so in the future there may be more publications on these issues. 

Lawrence asks how might we do better? Getting away from referring to autistics in a clinical medical approach is one way to do better. Lawrence  suggests asking persons with autism directly and collaborating with  Autistic-run Organizations as a means for taking Autistics seriously as a user group and as a community. Creating meaningful connections and seeing persons with autism as individual users with specific needs.