1
Sarah Giovagnoli
IDS-400 Diversity
6-2 Reflection: Society
Southern New Hampshire University
Professor Paul Anderson
February 13, 2024
2
General Education Lens
By analyzing, the topic of diversity in the autistic community, through any lens, will
allow us to learn so much about this very important topic. If I were to focus on this topic
through the natural/applied science lens, it would look very different from that of the social
science lens. For instance, by analyzing using the social science lens it provides us with the
context of how humans form relationships and how they act within their environment.
According to Poulson (2009), “Perhaps as sociologists spend more time watching how children
with autism are taught to navigate the social world they’ll find interesting examples that show
how socialization—despite disability—still determines much of who we become.” However,
analyzing the autistic community through a natural//applied science lens would place my
research at more of scientific, evidence-based with facts that could help the community and less
on the human relationships and connections within the culture. For example, within the
natural/applied science lens I could have focused my research on how the advancements in the
field of neurodiversity have helped to understand how individuals with autism deal with stress
and coping mechanisms (Baron, et.al., 2006).
Interactions with People
When individuals have a greater awareness of diversity, conversations can be
strengthened, allowing for more sincere interactions with others. When speaking with others we
want to make sure we aware and culturally appropriate. What might seem innocent to some, or
what might be culturally acceptable, can be inappropriate or offensive to others. Everyone has
3
the right to their own feelings, beliefs, and thoughts. According to Oguntimein (2020),
“Meaningful conversations can expand our worldview, leaving us better informed and more
connected with others.” The whole point of speaking to someone in a diverse manner is to
include them in your life and hopefully to be included in theirs. Approaching diversity in this
way places value on your interactions and encourages an open-minded approach.
Diversity in Society
Being self-aware is the key to learning about diversity and implementing inclusion into
your life. Having a broader view on diversity can help society deal with biases and stereotypes,
hoping to avoid grouping communities, such as the autism community, into one broad category.
There is so much research to prove that inclusion and diversity not only benefits the individual
but society as a whole. According to Phillips (2017), “Diversity enhances creativity as it
encourages the search for novel information and perspective, leading to better decision making.
Diversity enhances the human experience.” Having a greater awareness of cultures as well as
subcultures shows respect. “Through awareness of intersectionality, we can better acknowledge
and ground the differences among us” (Grace, 2018).
4
References
Baron, M.G., Lipsitt, L.P., & Goodwin, M.S. (2006). Stress and Coping in Autism. Scientific
Foundation for Research and Practice.
https://doi.org/10.1093/medpsych/9780195182262
Grace, V. (2018). Show Up Authentically: Life at the Intersection of Disability and Multiple
Identities. Respect Ability. https://www.respectability.org
Oguntimein, J. (2020). Promoting Diversity and Inclusion through Conversation. FMP
Consulting. https://www.fmpconsulting.com/promoting-diversity-and-inclusion
Phillips, K.W. (2017). How Diversity Makes Us Smarter. Greater Good Magazine: Science
Based Insights for a Meaningful Life. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item
Poulson, S. (2009). Autism through a Social Science Lens. Contexts, 8(2), 40-45.
https://doi.org/10.1525/ctx.2009.8.2.40
