SENDing Neurodivergence

In this seminar we will explore the historical emergence of what we now categorise as 'neurodivergence', and explore societal responses to intellectual differences from the mid-20th century to the present day. We will discuss philosopher Ian Hacking's influential approach to 'making up people', and evaluate its impact on historical approaches to 'identity politics' and disability studies. Then we will apply it to our three cases studies, AHDH, dyslexia, and autism. How and why did these three learning differences come to be key concerns for parents, educators and politicians today?

Weekly Questions:

• In the quest for mental perfection, which comes first: the condition, the (social) 'problem', or the 'cure'?
• How do gender, race, class, culture, and/or faith intersect with understandings of mental health and illness?
• What role(s) do politics and historical context play in defining mental 'perfection' in any given historical moment?
• Can you have perfect mental health? Are we all neurotypical?

Readings and Mini-lecture: see Talis