<p>In this talk, we will discuss how cognitive ableism, a preference for and privileging of normative types of thinking, becomes integrated into medical theory and practice, impacting care experiences for people who are neurodivergent, autistic, or labeled with intellectual disabilities. Cognitive ableism can result in paternalism, gatekeeping, and disempowering clinical experiences. Historically, these beliefs around who is a competent knower have contributed to involuntary institutionalization, sterilization, and loss of rights. Expanding our understanding of expertise to include the embodied and lived expertise of neurodivergent people, especially nonspeaking people and people with intellectual disabilities, can help address this disenfranchisement and enable more justice-oriented practice.</p>
<p>At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:</p>
<ol>
<li>Define cognitive ableism;</li>
<li>Identify examples and consequences of cognitive ableism in healthcare practice;</li>
<li>Identify practical strategies for promoting and valuing embodied and experiential expertise when providing services for people who are neurodivergent, autistic, or labeled with intellectual disabilities.</li>
</ol>
