Autistic Flourishing and Autistic Futurism
A better world for the neurodivergent is a better world for everyone.
In a world that often values conformity and efficiency over individuality and diversity, the concept of Autistic Flourishing dares us to rethink what it truly means to thrive as an autistic person. This vision doesn’t just challenge the status quo—it flips it on its head, advocating for a society where autistic strengths, perspectives, and ways of being are not only accommodated but celebrated as central to our collective future.
Autistic Flourishing isn’t just about carving out a space for autism and neurodiversity in the broader conversation about human flourishing; it’s about ensuring that this conversation doesn’t cause harm by imposing neurotypical expectations. Through Internality, I want to explore how Autistic Flourishing intersects with systemic reform, ethical technology, and cultural transformation, offering a roadmap for a world that embraces neurodiversity as a vital component of societal progress.
Autistic Futurism: Reimagining Society from the Ground Up
Autistic Futurism pushes beyond mere inclusion, imagining a world where autistic perspectives aren’t just added as an afterthought but are woven into the very fabric of how societies are organized. This isn’t just a vision for the future—it’s a blueprint for revolution. By making neurodiversity central to innovation, creativity, and ethics, Autistic Futurism challenges the neurotypical norms that currently dominate and proposes a radical rethinking of how we design our systems, environments, and technologies.
Decentralizing Neurotypical Norms
The heart of Autistic Flourishing and Autistic Futurism lies in dismantling the dominance of neurotypical norms—the unspoken societal rules that dictate what is considered "normal" or "acceptable" behavior, thinking, and communication. Today’s world treats neurotypical ways of being as the default, with other neurotypes, including autistic ones, often viewed as deviations that need correction or accommodation. But what if we stopped letting any single neurotype dominate? What if we recognized autistic ways of thinking, feeling, and interacting as equally valid and valuable?
This isn’t just about tweaking the existing frameworks of accommodation and inclusion, which still operate largely within neurotypical paradigms. It’s about blowing up the whole idea that there should be a default at all. A decentralized approach to societal norms would mean rethinking everything—communication, social interaction, education, work environments—so that all neurotypes, including autistic ones, are not just accommodated but valued as essential.
Redefining Success and Achievement
Autistic Flourishing also calls for a complete redefinition of what we mean by success and achievement. Currently, these are often measured by neurotypical standards—social conformity, academic performance, economic productivity. But these metrics can be stifling, even damaging, especially for those who don’t fit neatly into these categories. Autistic individuals often excel in areas that mainstream society doesn’t value.
In a world designed for autistic flourishing, success wouldn’t be about ticking boxes on a neurotypical checklist. It would be about fulfillment, well-being, and the unique paths each individual takes. This challenges the rigid, one-size-fits-all approach that currently dominates education and work. Instead of forcing people into predefined molds, we would celebrate autistic strengths like deep focus, pattern recognition, and specialized interests, recognizing these as not just valid but vital contributions to society.
Designing for Autistic Needs and Strengths
Autistic Flourishing and Autistic Futurism demand a radical redesign of our environments—both physical and digital. The world as it is now is built with neurotypical needs in mind, often leaving autistic individuals to navigate spaces that are overwhelming, inaccessible, or outright hostile to their sensory and cognitive preferences.
Imagine cities with quiet zones, adaptable lighting, and integrated natural spaces that cater to sensory sensitivities. Digital platforms could prioritize clarity, direct communication, and customizable interfaces, allowing users to shape their online experiences to fit their cognitive styles.
By centering autistic needs in the design of our environments, we don’t just accommodate autistic people—we create spaces where they can thrive, where they can fully engage with the world on their terms.
Ethical Technology as a Tool for Flourishing
Technology shapes our world in profound ways, and in a society geared toward autistic flourishing, technology would be designed not just to be accessible but to truly support and enhance autistic ways of engaging with the world. This isn’t about tacking on accessibility features as an afterthought—it’s about building them in from the ground up, with autistic perspectives at the core of technological innovation.
Imagine communication tools that minimize social friction, or virtual reality environments tailored to autistic sensory preferences. These kinds of technologies could transform how autistic individuals interact with the world, making those interactions smoother, more intuitive, and less stressful.
And by embedding ethical considerations into these technologies, we make sure they serve their users’ true needs, rather than reinforcing existing biases or exclusions.
Cultural Expression and Autistic Artistry
Culture is a powerful tool for expressing and understanding the human experience, but autistic perspectives are often marginalized or misunderstood in mainstream cultural narratives. Autistic Flourishing and Autistic Futurism envision a cultural landscape where autistic voices aren’t just included—they’re central to the narrative.
This means creating spaces where autistic creators can express themselves without the pressure to conform to neurotypical norms. It’s about giving autistic artists, writers, and performers the freedom to explore new forms of storytelling, music, and visual art that challenge conventional norms and offer fresh, innovative ways of experiencing the world. By embracing the full spectrum of autistic creativity, we enrich our cultural landscape and broaden our understanding of what it means to be human.
Radical Inclusivity and Community Support
A core principle of Autistic Flourishing is rejecting competitive, hierarchical structures in favor of mutual aid and radical inclusivity. In an autistic-flourishing society, communities would be built on cooperation, where everyone is supported in ways that respect their unique needs and contributions.
This means creating spaces where differences aren’t just tolerated but are seen as essential to the community’s strength. It’s about recognizing that everyone has something valuable to contribute and that society is stronger, richer, and more resilient when all voices are heard. This approach doesn’t just benefit autistic individuals—it creates a more compassionate, resilient society for everyone.
Environmental and Ethical Stewardship
Autistic Flourishing also emphasizes a deep connection to the natural world and a commitment to ethical living. Many autistic individuals have a heightened sense of justice and a profound respect for the environment, which can translate into sustainable practices and ethical governance.
In this vision, societies would prioritize the health of the planet and all its inhabitants, fostering a balanced and harmonious existence. Environmental and ethical stewardship would be woven into all aspects of life, from how we design our cities and develop our technologies to how we govern ourselves and interact with each other. By centering autistic perspectives in these areas, we create a society that is more just, sustainable, and attuned to the needs of all its members.
Autistic Futurism and Social Transformation
Autistic Futurism isn’t just about imagining a better future for autistic individuals—it’s about rethinking the entire structure of society in ways that are more just, inclusive, and innovative for everyone. By centering autistic perspectives, this movement challenges the status quo and proposes new ways of living, working, and creating that break free from the limitations of current neurotypical constructs.
A Vision for Collective Flourishing
Autistic Flourishing and Autistic Futurism are about much more than creating a better world for autistic individuals—they’re about rethinking and reshaping our entire society in ways that are more inclusive, just, and innovative for everyone. By centering autistic perspectives and strengths, we can challenge the limitations of current neurotypical constructs and build a future where all forms of neurodiversity are valued as sources of strength, creativity, and wisdom.
Through Internality, I invite you to join in this vision of a world where autistic individuals aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving, playing a central role in creating systems, environments, and cultures that reflect the full diversity of human experience. Together, we can imagine and build a future where Autistic Flourishing and Autistic Futurism aren’t the exceptions but the norms, benefiting everyone in our shared journey toward a more inclusive and compassionate society.