Ontological Thoughts about Difference and Diversity on the Autism Spectrum

This study aims to understand the neurological differences in the autism spectrum and to propose a neurodiversity ontology that enables people with autism and neurotypical people to coexist through human nature. To this end, I first present the neurological differences on the autism spectrum through recent neuroscience research. Based on this, I present the content and limitations of the theory of mind hypotheses related to autism and examine the causal relationship between the theory of mind and difficulties in social interaction and sensory perception. Next, neurodiversity is presented as a new discourse that can coexist with people with autism by leveraging human nature traits such as empathy, cooperative communication, and affinity, as claimed by evolutionary theory. Regardless of how well the individual functions, autism-related challenges should be supported rather than cured. The emphasis was on respecting people with autism for their individuality or identities. Finally, we are all neurodiverse individuals with cognitive and existential differences. Interdependence is described as a way of life in which a community of neurodiverse people can coexist. Neurodiversity is fundamentally an ontology in the sense that it recognizes human differences and respects diversity. Neurodiversity is fundamentally an ontology in the sense that it recognizes human differences and respects diversity. Neurodiversity can be a new discourse that contemplates the meaning of all beings with temporal differences and honors people with autism who live another way of life.