Abstract
The new approaches for disability are characterized through respect towards the beneficiary. In practice, this means empowering the person with a disability or an association that fights for the rights to make choices about their personal life. Empowering a person with disabilities, trusting their potential, and encouraging them to look with optimism towards the future are just a few of the aspects of change. Involving the person in making decisions for themselves and promoting those changes that have an impact on the quality of life also has a pragmatic side in the sense that it requires considerable expenses. Several debates for child's rights and people's with disabilities rights proposed the definition of “rights for a future” (Crețu, 2006). The freedom of choice does not only represent a topic from the individualized intervention plan, but additionally refers to taking responsibility, taking ownership for what the person with a disability agreed with.
TopThe Road Towards Freedom Of Choice
History is not a carpet which unrolls starting from the past, going through the present and sliding towards the future (Crețu, 2006, p. 15). The experiences we live, the people, the society and the politics decide which of the perspectives that are formed are desirable, possible, achievable. The realities from the domain of autism are the result of the general evolution of society, of social politics which are adopted from a standpoint of human rights philosophy, of the principles of social solidarity and ensuring equal opportunities.
There are four periods in the evolution of social strategies on disability: the medical paradigm, the social model, the biopsychosocial approach or the competence model, and the neurodiversity paradigm.
The medical paradigm was par excellence a deficit type, which studied and described with meticulousness and precision all the differences between the disabled person and ordinary people. The differences were studied by reference to standards, and the results being usually presented in the form of deviation from standards.
The predictable consequence of the medical model was the segregation of persons with disabilities, including those with autism. Considered persons with limited possibilities to bend to the real world, who obviously differ from the usual ones, they were assigned in parallel institutions, adapted to them, in which they had to be cared for (Creţu, 2006).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Paradigms: Paradigms are general theoretical formulas for approaching new ideas, in the advanced epistemological stage, recognized by the research community.
Social Model of Disability: According to the social model, disability should not be sought on a personal level, but in the interaction of the individual with his environment.
Unity in Diversity: This oxymoron emphasizes the idea that diversity is a feature of humanity, being an expression of harmony and unity between different groups, that often had opposing views, positions, or ideas.
Disability: A disability is a condition that can limit the skills of a person as sight, hearing, speaking, mobility, or cognitive function. The condition can be caused by a genetic factor, illness, or trauma. Some people with disabilities may have one or more activity limitations.
Biopsychosocial Model of Disability: It is the model that highlights the social role that people with disabilities play, encouraging the stimulation of their abilities, the specific interests and competencies of each person.
Medical Model of Disability: It is the model that emphasizes the disability, the disease, the disorder, as well as the limitations that a person faces in daily activities.
Union of Equality: “An union of equality” towards the full inclusion of people with disabilities is the new slogan of the European Commission for the next strategy 2021-2030.