Disability Studies Scholars Critique the âAutism Industrial Complexâ
Scholars argue that a business model has developed that exploits autism to sell coercive interventions.
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Disability Studies scholars Alicia A. Broderick and Robin Roscigno argue that popular metaphors that portray autism as an enemy, alien, epidemic contagion, or otherwise dangerous serve to create a market for what they term the âAutism Industrial Complex.â
Broderick and Roscigno see these notions of autism as suggesting invasive behavioral techniques as the only plausible response. The researchers describe the business logic and surrounding discourses that legitimize coercive bodily control (and other forms of violence) over those diagnosed with autism.