Thanks for taking this issue and discussion to new heights! One of the concepts that art therapy, a field that derives in part from psychiatry, is the relationship between the content of art expression and diagnostic categories. I have always felt uncomfortable with this notion because I believe that creativity and imagination exist for other reasons [something I hope to get to in future blog postings]; as a species, humans make art for other reasons than monetary rewards or fame, because most art does not result in either. And I guess I also believe that art and imagination can be one avenue where rules of "normal" do not necessarily apply. Probably a reason why I was drawn to make art, among others!

I also believe in the idea of neurodiversity because to me, it explains why art expression and creativity is so unique to each individual and why there are so many definitions of "art" itself.

Thanks again,
Cathy Malchiodi
The Healing Arts

Neurodiversity is about equality among the different neurologies, none are to be considered either good or bad - while we still have to adjust our lives to them.

Fight against bullying and other discrimination is what the neurodiversity movement among other things is devoted to - Autism Acceptence is a word that has often come alongside neurodiversity.

If we do not consider art and it's diagnostic function, regardless of whether the artist is exhibiting at a SoHo gallery, is a savant, or a child prodigy, we are forgetting it's primal relationship to the psyche, and its drives, needs, and abilities. Art accesses elements of the psyche, abilities of the human brain when the conscious mind and the ego will not, or cannot. Any art creation is a direct link to those vast, rich depths within. So yes, regardless of who we are, what our abilities or challenges may be, art tells a specific story about our individual psyche at the time the image is made.

In the case of Lorna Selfe's work, clearly her art was diagnostic. It provided information regarding her high level of cognitive fucntioning when her verbal skills could not. Her choices of subject matter and use or lack of color also tell us something about her emotional ability and functioning at the time the image was made. Her art work was and is a fundamental expression of psychic information (and ego function) that proved crucial in how she was received, understood and provided for.

Art is never just art. Art is always the image of the dynamic functionings of our complex psyche, and is no matter when, where or by whom, diagnostic - even if we enjoy looking at it.
Susan Sabini, MA, LPC, ATR-BC
Clinical Art Therapist
The Art Therapy Practice of South Denver
303 981-5034

The author said:

I do sympathize with the idea of neurodiversity. Not only for my own personal reasons, but for the simply scientific question: If the genes for autism/Asperger's are wholly negative, why do they remain in the gene pool? -----

I think it is important to understand what natural selection actually does and is.

Natural selection does not select for human defined "negatives and positives" it selects for those that successfully reproduce. This is truly a "blind watchmaker."

If people with certain neurological conditions reproduce, the gene gets carried on. Simple as that.

If people with certain neurological conditions do not reproduce, then yes, it will eventually die out genetically.

Although I am wholly supportive of diverse neurological rights, my husband and I have chosen not to reproduce, so as not to subject another person to our living genetic hell.