Autism Is A Learning Preference Not a Disability? Educationalist Needs Some Reality Based Autism Education

educationalist

Main Entry: ed·u·ca·tion·ist 

Pronunciation: \ˌe-jə-ˈkā-sh(ə-)nist\

Variant(s): also ed·u·ca·tion·al·ist  \-shnə-list, -shə-n^əl-ist\

Function: noun

Date: 1829

1 chiefly British : a professional educator
2 : an educational theorist

preference

Main Entry: pref·er·ence 

Pronunciation: \ˈpre-fərn(t)s, ˈpre-f(ə-)rən(t)s\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English preferraunce, from Middle French preferance,from Medieval Latin praeferentia, from Latin praeferent-, praeferens,present participle of praeferre

Date: 15th century

1 a : the act of preferring : the state of being preferred b : the power or opportunity of choosing

2 : one that is preferred

3 : the act, fact, or principle of giving advantages to some over others

"New Zealand schools should view autism as a learning preference, rather than a difficulty or disability, says UK educationalist Neil Mackay."

According to the Miriam Webster online dictionary an educationalist is a professional educator or an educational theorist.  In the above reference  which also formed the headline  of the article in question and is now on the internet the Educationalist distorts the realities of Autism Disorders.  A preference, as set out in the MW involves a choice, the power to choose. Even for those with High Functioning Autism or Aspergers I have never seen a scholarly article or even a Neurodiversity ideological tract which describes their methods of learning as being choices.

The educationalist says  that autism is not a disability? Tell that to those with Autistic Disorder and intellectual disability. For them, including my son, autism is a serious disability.  The Educationalist should educate himself about autism DISORDERS before telling the world that autism is not a disability.

Educationalist educate thyself!