Navajo and autism: the beauty of harmony

Abstract

With so much unknown about autism, the disability tends to reflect the sociocultural preconceptions people project onto it. The predominant narrative in Western society of autism as a ‘disease’ within the medical model contrasts with the more positive, empowering view of autism as a ‘difference’ in the social model and neurodiversity movement. Society has also discriminated against and disabled the Navajo Native Americans since the arrival of Euro-Americans. Navajos resiliently balance between exercising self-determination within their own nation and adapting to outside society, with a culture that remains remarkably intact. The Navajo thus presented exceptional opportunity for cross-cultural analysis. It suggested that the traditional Navajo social constructs of harmony and beauty, as encompassed by a wellness philosophy called Hozho, better serve the needs of Autistic people than the Western notion of ‘progress’ through science and technology.

Keywords:

• autism
• Navajo
• culture
• self-determination
• inclusion
• acceptance

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank all those who have shaped his views on autism and the Navajo, especially Scott Michael Robertson and Walter L. Williams, respectively. He dedicates this article in spirit to the Navajo people. The author also wishes to acknowledge the generous support of the Philip & Aida Siff Educational Foundation toward his doctoral studies.