In Episode 27 of The William Gomes Podcast, William Gomes reflects on the historical forces that have shaped how autism has been understood, misunderstood, and too often misrepresented. The episode moves carefully through the past, not as a catalogue of theories, but as a record of how ideas about autism have affected real lives. Early interpretations are examined for what they reveal about fear, control, and a lack of listening, rather than for their supposed authority.
The episode draws attention to the long period in which autistic people were spoken about but rarely heard. William considers how clinical language, institutional power, and social prejudice combined to define autism in narrow and damaging ways. This history is approached with restraint and clarity, acknowledging harm without sensationalism and recognising how deeply these narratives have influenced public attitudes, services, and family experiences.
Crucially, the episode also traces the shift towards a more humane and grounded understanding of autism. Autistic voices, contemporary research, and community-led perspectives are presented as central to this change. Autism is framed not as a deficit to be corrected, but as a meaningful developmental difference that requires respect, accommodation, and attentiveness. The episode leaves space for complexity, reminding listeners that progress depends on humility and on a continued willingness to learn from autistic people themselves.
Listen to the Episode
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