FCAI NISE Fellow Publishes Article in Psychology Today
This week, Frist Center for Autism and Innovation Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellow Hari Srinivasan published a piece in Psychology Today called “Dignity Remains Elusive for Many Disabled People”.
In this article Hari describes his experiences as a visibly disabled neurodivergent individual. He describes his frustration at feeling infantilized in everyday interactions, such as by checkout clerks at grocery stores, despite the fact he is working on his advanced degree “the checkout clerk will make it a point to talk to me in a slow, high-pitched tone meant for toddlers; and throw in a few “Good Jobs” for good measure.”
He discusses how the lack of basic dignity he, and others like him, are afforded in these situations is dangerous, “Infantilization harms the disabled by denying their dignity, intelligence, and adulthood, perpetuating inequality, and devaluing their worth. It also negatively affects mental health, contributing to frustration, helplessness, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and isolation.”
Read more of Hari’s experiences here and how he hopes we can move toward a society where “all are valued and can live a life of dignity.”