The Neurodiversity Rights Movement in Turkey: History and Current Landscape
The development of advocacy for neurodevelopmental differences in Turkey, transformations under disability rights, and the current advocacy agenda.
The History of the Rights Movement in Turkey
The civic movement surrounding neurodevelopmental differences in Turkey began under the shadow of traditional medical-deficit and charity models. In the 1990s, grass-roots associations founded by parents of children diagnosed with autism or learning differences played a vital role in getting special education recognized as a constitutional right.
In recent years, the rights movement in Turkey has experienced a major paradigm shift, thanks to self-advocacy networks led directly by autistic and ADHD adults. The principle of "Nothing About Us Without Us" has become the primary rallying cry for neurodiversity platforms nationwide.
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Current Advocacy Agenda and Primary Demands
Today, three primary demands stand out on the agenda of neurodiversity advocates in Turkey. First, they call for the strict implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and reasonable academic accommodations from preschool to higher education.
Second, they target the legalization of neuro-inclusive employment models and the reduction of neurotypical bias in recruitment. Finally, they advocate for dismantling the tragic or pity-based media representations of neurodivergence, promoting neuro-affirming language across public discourse.