Further to Go
The Pervasive Use of Undesirable Models and Language in Research on Neurodivergence in Academic Libraries
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29173/cais1889Keywords:
academic libraries, disability, Neurodivergence, ableism, academiaAbstract
It has been suggested that LIS literature discussing neurodivergence uses undesirable models of disability and undesirable language despite growing advocacy for alternatives. We examine the models and language used in 44 works on neurodivergence and academic libraries and find that 95% of those works use undesirable language like patronising, person-first, and medicalised/deficit-focused language. The medical model is never explicitly used, but numerous works with no explicit model use medicalised/deficit-focused language. Although no works use explicitly ableist language, undesirable language is present even in works using the social model of disability. Recommendations for future research and practice are provided.
Plus à découvrir : L'utilisation répandue des modèles et langages indésirables en recherche sur la neurodivergence dans les bibliothèques universitaires
Résumé
Il a été suggéré que la littérature BSI portant sur la neurodivergence utilise des modèles d'handicap indésirables et du langage indésirable malgré la montée des revendications pour l'utilisation d'alternatives. Nous avons examiné les modèles et le langage utilisé dans 44 études sur la neurodivergence et les bibliothèques universitaires et avons trouvé que 95% de ces études utilisent un langage indésirable, par exemple du langage condescendant, centré sur la personne et médicalisé/axé sur le manque. Bien qu'aucune étude n'utilise du langage capacististe explicitement, du langage indésirable est présent même dans les études qui utilisent le modèle social des handicaps. Des recommandations pour de futurs projets de recherche et des pratiques sont données.
Mots-clés
Bibliothèques universitaires; Handicap; Neurodivergence; Capacitisme; Milieu universitaire
References
Anderson, A. (2016). Wrong Planet, Right Library: College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Academic Library [dissertation]. Florida State University: College of Communication and Information.
Anderson, A. (2018). Autism and the academic library: A study of online communication. College Research Libraries, 79 (5), 645–658. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.79.5.645
Anderson, A. (2021). From mutual awareness to collaboration: Academic libraries and autism support programs. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 53 (1), 103–115. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000620918628
Anderson, A. (2025). Autism-informed academic librarians. Autism in Adulthood, 7 (2), 223–228. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2024.0119
Anderson, A., & Robinson, B. (2024). We adapt as needed: Autism services at liberal arts college libraries. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 50 (1), 102817. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2023.102817
Belger, J., & Chelin, J. A. (2013). The Inclusive Library: An investigation into provision for students with dyslexia within a sample group of academic libraries in England and Wales. Library and Information Research, 37 (115), 7–32. https://doi.org/10.29173/lirg555
Black, N. (2004). Blessing or Curse? Distance Delivery to Students with Invisible Disabilities. Journal of Library Administration, 41 (1-2), 47–64. https://doi.org/10.1300/J111v41n01_05
Bliss, B. (1986). Dyslexics as Library Users. Library Trends, 35 (2), 293–302.
Bloss, J. E., Haberstroh, A., Harmon, G. C., & Schellinger, J. (2021). Library Services. In E. M. Coghill & J. G. Coghill (Eds.), Supporting neurodiverse college student success: A guide for librarians, student support services, and academic learning environments (pp. 182–203). Rowman Littlefield.
Bogart, K. R., & Dunn, D. S. (2019). Ableism Special Issue Introduction. Journal of Social Issues, 75 (3), 650–664. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12354
Botha, M. (2021). Academic, activist, or advocate? Angry, entangled, and emerging: A critical reflection on autism knowledge production. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 727542. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.727542
Botha, M., & Cage, E. (2022). “autism research is in crisis”: A mixed method study of researcher’s constructions of autistic people and autism research. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1050897
Bottema-Beutel, K., Kapp, S. K., Lester, J. N., Sasson, N. J., & Hand, B. N. (2021). Avoiding Ableist Language: Suggestions for Autism Researchers. Autism in Adulthood, 3 (1), 18–29. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2020.0014
Bottema-Beutel, K., Kapp, S. K., Sasson, N., Gernsbacher, A. M., Natri, H., & Botha, M. (2023). Anti-ableism and scientific accuracy in autism research: a false dichotomy. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1244451
Boyer, A. M., & El-Chidiac, A. (2023). Come Chill Out at the Library: Creating Soothing Spaces for Neurodiverse Students. Journal of New Librarianship, 8 (1), 41–47. https://doi.org/10.33011/newlibs/13/5
Braumberger, E. (2021). Library Services for Autistic Students in Academic Libraries: A Literature Review. Pathfinder: A Canadian Journal for Information Science Students and Early Career Professionals, 2 (2), 86–99. https://doi.org/10.29173/pathfinder39
Brook, F., Ellenwood, D., & Lazzaro, A. E. (2015). In Pursuit of Antiracist Social Justice: Denaturalizing Whiteness in the Academic Library. Library Trends, 64 (2), 246–284.
Brown, N., & Leigh, J. (2018). Ableism in academia: where are the disabled and ill academics? Disability & Society, 33 (6), 985–989. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2018.1455627
Carey, F. (2020). Communicating with Information: Creating Inclusive Learning Environments for Students with ASD. In the Library With The Lead Pipe. https://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2020/communicating-with-information/
Chellappa, S. L. (2023). Language matters for neuroinclusivity. Nature Mental Health, 1 (3), 146–146. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-023-00028-w
Cho, J. (2018). Building bridges: librarians and autism spectrum disorder. Reference Services Review, 46 (3), 325–339. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-04-2018-0045
Chodock, T., & Dolinger, E. (2009). Applying Universal Design to Information Literacy: Teaching Students Who Learn Differently at Landmark College. American Library Association, 49 (1), 24–32.
Clouder, L., Karakus, M., Cinotti, A., Ferreyra, M. V., Fierros, G. A., & Rojo, P. (2020). Neurodiversity in higher education: a narrative synthesis. Higher Education, 80, 757–778. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-020-00513-6
Coghill, E. M. (2021). An Introduction to Neurodiversity. In E. M. Coghill & J. G. Coghill (Eds.), Supporting neurodiverse college student success: A guide for librarians, student support services, and academic learning environments (pp. 1–7). Rowman Littlefield.
Cowell, R. L. (2024). Communicating diversity: (cognitive) ableism in information-seeking research. Autism in Adulthood. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2024.0077
D’Ignazio, C., & Klein, L. F. (2020). Data Feminism. The MIT Press.
Dow, M. J., & Bushman, B. (2020). Neurodiversity in Higher Education: Library and Information Science Educators Address the Learning Needs of Students with Intellectual Disabilities. ALISE 2020 Proceedings, 97–109.
Dow, M. J., Lund, B. D., & Douthit, W. K. (2020). Investigating the Link between Unemployment and Disability: Lexically Ambiguous Words and Fixed Formulaic Sequences in Job Ads for Academic Reference Librarians. The International Journal of Information, Diversity Inclusion, 4 (1), 42–59. https://doi.org/10.33137/ijidi.v4i1.32369
Dwyer, P. (2022). The Neurodiversity Approach(es): What Are They and What Do They Mean for Researchers? Human Development, 66, 73–92. https://doi.org/10.1159/000523723
Everhart, N., & Anderson, A. (2020). Academic librarians’ support of autistic college students: A quasiexperimental study. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 46 (5), 102225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2020.102225
Everhart, N., & Escobar, K. L. (2018). Conceptualizing the information seeking of college students on the autism spectrum through participant viewpoint ethnography. Library Information Science Research, 40 (3), 269–276. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2018.09.009
Everhart, N., Woods, J., & Anderson, A. (2016). Project A+: Serving Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Academic Library. http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524754052_db70ce00
Gernsbacher, M. A. (2007). On Not Being Human. APS Oberserver, 20 (2), 5–32.
Gibson, A. N., Chancellor, R. L., Cooke, N. A., Dahlen, S. P., Patin, B., & Shorish, Y. L. (2021). Struggling to breathe: COVID-19, Protest and the LIS Response. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 40 (1), 74–82.
Giles-Smith, L., & Popowich, E. (2020). Countering Conformity: Embracing the “Other” and Supporting Employees with High-functioning Autism in Canadian Academic Libraries. In S. S. Hines & D. H. Ketchum (Eds.), Critical librarianship (advances in library administration and organization, vol. 41) (pp. 1011–129). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0732-067120200000041006
Giles-Smith, L., & Popowich, E. (2023). Autistic Employees in Canadian Academic Libraries: Barriers, Opportunities, and Ways Forward. Canadian Journal of Academic Librarianship, 9, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.33137/cjal-rcbu.v9.39994
Green, R. A. (2009). Empowering Library Patrons with Learning Disabilities. Journal of Access Services, 6 (1-2), 59–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/15367960802247817
Gustafson, J., & Langan, K. (1990). Academic Library Services and the Learning Disabled College Student. Paper presented as part of a continuing education workshop, "Library services and the learning disabled," Buffalo, NY,8 June 1990. ERIC ED 333 899, 1–34.
Hinson-Williams, J. (2024). Autistic Students and Academic Library Research: Recommendations for a Neurodiversity-Informed Approach. In the Library With The Lead Pipe. https://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2024/autistic-students/
Hoover, J., Nall, C., & Willis, C. (2013). Designing Library Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities. North Carolina Libraries, 71 (2), 27–31. https://doi.org/10.3776/ncl.v71i2.397
Jones, R. (2019). Discovering their Stories: A Scoping Study of Adult Students with ADHD and Learning Disabilities in the Library Literature. Proceedings of the 38th CASAE Annual Conference, 170–176.
Jones, R. (2021). A Phenomenological Study of Undergraduates with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Academic Library Use for Research. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 27 (2), 165–183. https://doi.org/10.1080/13614533.2020.1731560
Lamberts, R. N. (2024). Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Insider’s Perspective in Public and Academic Libraries. School of Information Sciences Student Scholarship, 2. https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/sis_student_papers/2
Layden, S. J., Anderson, A., & Hayden, K. E. (2021). Are Librarians Prepared to Serve Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Content Analysis of Graduate Programs. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 36 (3), 156–164. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357621989254
Lindsay, S., & Fuentes, K. (2022). It is time to address ableism in academia: a systematic review of the experiences and impact of ableism among faculty and staff. Disabilities, 2(2), 178-203.
Magnuson, L., Opdahl, J., Nataraj, L., & Olivas, A. P. (2024). Different, Not Deficient: Supporting University and College Students with ADHD in Academic Libraries. The Library Quaterly, 1–43. https://doi.org/10.1086/730466
Michael, R. J. (1988). Library services for LD college students. Academic Therapy, 23 (5), 529–532.
Mulliken, A., & Adkins, A. (2009). Academic Library Services for Users with Developmental Disabilities. The Reference Librarian, 50 (3), 276–287. https://doi.org/10.1080/02763870902873461
Nall, C. (2015). Academic libraries and the principles of Universal Design for Learning: Representation beyond courses. College Research Libraries News, 76 (7), 374–375.
Napp, J. B., & Obertacz, J. H. (2022). Making Space for Students on the Autism Spectrum in the Academic Library. 2022 ASEE Annual Conference Exposition.
Onwubiko, E. (2022). Awareness of Learning Disabilities among Academic Librarians in Federal Universities in Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1–16
Pionke, J. J. (2017). Toward Holistic Accessibility: Narratives from Functionally Diverse Patrons. Reference User Services Quarterly, 57 (1), 48–56.
Pionke, J. J., Knight-Davis, S., & Brantley, J. S. (2019). Library involvement in an autism support program: A case study. College & Undergraduate Libraries, 26 (3), 221–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/10691316.2019.1668896
Remy, C., Seaman, P., & Polacek, K. M. (2014). Evolving from Disability to Diversity: How to Better Serve High-Functioning Autistic Students. Reference User Services Quarterly, 54 (1), 24–28. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/refuseserq.54.1.24
Riant, C. (2022). Accessibility of UK-based academic digital libraries for users with dyslexia challenges and shortcomings [Master’s thesis, University of Borås].
Robinson, B., & Anderson, A. M. (2022). Autism training at a small liberal arts college: librarian perceptions and takeaways. Public Services Quarterly, 18 (3), 161–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228959.2021.1988808
Seelmeyer, L. (2024). Disability and neurodiversity in the academic library: Fostering new and continuing engagement. Public Services Quarterly, 20 (3), 217–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228959.2024.2367530
Shakespeare, T., & Watson, N. (2001). The social model of disability: An outdated ideology? In S. N. Barnartt & B. M. Altman (Eds.), Exploring theories and expanding methodologies: Where we are and where we need to go (pp. 9–28, Vol. 2). Emerald Group Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3547(01)80018-X
Shea, G., & Derry, S. (2019a). Academic Libraries and Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do We Know? The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 45 (4), 326–331. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2019.04.007
Shea, G., & Derry, S. (2019b). How do we help? Academic libraries and students with autism spectrum disorder. In D. M. Mueller (Ed.), Recasting the narrative: The proceedings of the acrl 2019 conference. association of college research libraries (pp. 348–355).
Shea, G., & Derry, S. (2022). A survey of library services for autistic college students. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 48 (6), 102591. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2022.102591
Sinclair, J. (2012). Why I Dislike ‘Person First’ Language. In J. Bascom (Ed.), Loud hands: Autistic people, speaking (pp. 223–24). The Autistic Press.
Strub, M. R., & Stewart, L. (2010). Case Study: Shelving and the Autistic Employee. Journal of Access Services, 7 (4), 262–268. https://doi.org/10.1080/15367967.2010.508369
Tumlin, Z. (2009). “this is a quiet library, except when it’s not:” on the lack of neurodiversity awareness in librarianship. Music Reference Services Quarterly, 11 (1-2), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10588167.2019.1575017
Walker, N. (2014). Neurodiversity: Some basic terms definitions. Neurocosmopolitanism, 27.
Walton, K., & McMullin, R. (2021). Welcoming Autistic Students to Academic Libraries Through Innovative Space Utilization. Pennsylvania Libraries: Research Practice, 9 (2), 83–100. https://doi.org/10.5195/palrap.2021.259
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Catharina Ochsner, Jesse David Dinneen

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.


