Neurogradualism: Neurodiversity without Categorical Difference, a case study of Autism

Bervoets, J. (2021). Neurogradualism: Neurodiversity without Categorical Difference, a case study of Autism [Preprint]. Center for Open Science. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/9yq5m

Publication date: 29 Nov 2021 Added to AutiHub: 4 Jul 2026 Type: Preprint Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
1
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 1 (100.0%)

Abstract

This paper is a study of the link between the phenomenological theme of embodiment and the hermeneutical theme of making (participatory) sense of each other. Using autism as a case in point, I investigate the relation between breakdowns of the latter and neurological diversity. Is trying to explain psychopathologies like autism in this sense not just a way of understanding the human condition as such? In arguing for an emphatic ‘Yes!’ to this question, I elaborate a case for an empathic neurogradualism. This means that instead of emphasizing the gap between ‘neurocultures’ we come to an understanding of neurodiversity which informs mutual and self-understanding across such cultures. In this view the phenomenology of desynchronization and the cognitive science underlying views on neurodiversity mutually inform each other and neurodiversity becomes a source of inspiration rather than a matter of categorical separation.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Bibliography inclusion overview

These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:30.

Cited references
20
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
4 / 20 (20.0%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
4 / 37 (10.8%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 4 / 12 (33.3%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 3 / 33 (9.1%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
12 / 37 (32.4%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 8 / 33 (24.2%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
8 / 12 (66.7%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 8 / 37 (21.6%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 5 / 8 (62.5%).
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