Neuro-Typical Privilege

In preparation for our Azusa Pacific University School of Education Faculty and Staff 2007 Kick-off meeting, we received an article to read. It was Dr. Peggy McIntosh's "White privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack". The basic idea is that working to improve the status of disadvantaged individuals was a good and noble thing, however it would do little, if anything to eliminate or even reduce racism. Even if those with male/white privilege were aware of the existence of their privilege, they can not or will not support the idea of relinquishing any of their own privilege.

As I read it, I made what to me was an obvious connection to the developmentally disabled individuals versus neuro-typical discussion. I began to research the white privilege idea online. I found several articles where others had applied the principle to other areas such as male privilege, heterosexual privilege, and able-bodied privilege.

I have had conversations in the past few weeks with several individuals with PhD's in Education and in Special Education that have taken my ideas about social construction of disability even further. It seems that this has made some a bit uncomfortable. Some of the conversations involved discussions about whether developmental individuals can or should be in positions of leadership over neuro-typical individuals. It is here that I find the notion of privilege quite applicable. This is where I think some of the focus of future postings will be.