Neurodivergence

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All things neurodivergent and relating to the broader neurodivergent community (and communities).

See also this community's sister subs Feminism, LGBTQ+, Disability, and POC

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Where does the "helmet-wearing, diaper-wearing, drooling idiot" stereotype of IDD people come from? (beehaw.org)

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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So if you know what I am talking about, you know what I am talking about.

In adult-oriented American media in the old days, intellectually/developmentally/mentally disabled characters were often depicted to be wearing helmets, diapers, drooling, and having "that" tone of their voice, while speaking things that don't make sense. While this stereotype has mostly vanished, it is still kinda alive in the form of that "brainlet" wojak and Jeffy from the SuperMarioLogan videos.

I've been wondering this for a long time now. Where the hell does this stereotype come from?

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Growing up, I remember differently-abled kids who checked all or most of these boxes (the helmets in particular). So it's not just completely made up.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Same. My across the street neighbor literally had every feature. I was a child so I'm unfamiliar with specifics of her condition but I do remember her family was very kind to her and worked hard for her