Entropic Disability

Autism is a Round Peg in a Square Box. Even disability, was not categorized in an appropriate way for them. And this confused the system design principle on accounts of disability at every place (Play School, Primary School, College, Corporate Workspace, Airports, Mass Transit Stations, Hospitals, list is endless) and as the classic folklore goes around Neurodivergent community is, _"we are disabled by the world, not by ourselves"_ and the only best place for them is home, and nowhere else in this world.

Let's take a scenario, if you are taking an Autistic child to Airport tomorrow, what are the odds that Security Personnel have an understanding of your kid. I mean true understanding.
Parents actually don't fight Autism, they fight uncertainty that happens with their kids, and to be precise it is wild uncertainty. Parents would be a playing a strange game all the time when they are outside, where they have no clue about the odds of the Autistic kid's meltdown, and why they portray a particular behavior, an action or a mood swing.

Parents of Autistic children can never outguess on what is the next move (like..is he going to jump, next? is he going to run out to the gate? is he going to shout in the silent lounge? or is he going to laugh out loud? or is he going to cry out loud?). They never have answers on when or why something would happen.

Entropy precisely means lack of order or predictability and that's why I would like to name the condition as "Entropic Disability" or "Entropic Ability" (when environment permits them the way they are)

This change in narrative gives better understanding, about Autism, instead of calling it as a hidden disability, which might not give clear picture to other professionals on what to expect from an Autistic Person.

What's next? How shall we handle this sort of unknown uncertainty?

That's a tricky question, human beings by nature are not fit to deal with wild uncertainty, we have too many cognitive biases that would interplay with our choices and actions. We usually take "fight, fright or flight" approach. Very rarely, we go with "feel the other person's soul" approach. So, Autistics and ADHDers and their caregivers are at a disadvantage in this regards.

An Autistic teen who has a meltdown and running abruptly in an Airport will be a disturbing scene to everyone and he will be high likely get pinned down by the security personnel, thinking he is a Terrorist holding a bomb. So, If I were the Trainer for the Security Personnel, I would ask them to pet a Persian Cat and try to understand it (Just kidding). Security can take up instructions from the Parents beforehand, what would be the common uncertainties that can be expected. Get an understanding on Sensory needs and also, fair understanding on meltdowns, mood swings, and anger outbursts.

This thought is just a beginning, and I always firmly believe, if we can understand the problem right, half the problem is already solved.

So, let's embrace uncertainty and befriend the wildlings the way they are.

To infinity and beyond.

🦋