Neurodiversity and the autistic rights movement can be looked towards as examples of where strong communal ties are continuing to form without diving into strategic essentialism, and actually these ties are stronger due to the resistance to essentialism.

University of Wisconsin - Madison

In this article, Strand discusses how Intersectionality Theory and the Neurodiversity Paradigm have been conceptualized, utilized, and operationalized - understanding how a theoretical concept is applied in context. Through this study, Strand poses that intersectionality theory and the neurodiversity paradigm can work to strengthen the theoretical aims and application of each other. 

Charting Relations between Intersectionality Theory and the Neurodiversity Paradigm

Strand, L. (2017). Charting Relations between Intersectionality Theory and the Neurodiversity Paradigm. Disability Studies Quarterly, 2017 (2017).

- The coining of Intersectionality Theory by Kimberlé Crenshaw
- Earlier pre-coining works in Intersectionality Theory
- Criticisms of Intersectionality Theory and Responses
- Contemporary Intersectionality Theory frameworks

History of of the coining of Intersectionality Theory and foundational works

- Underlying Philosophy and Relation to Intersectionality and Disability Studies
- Harvey Blume and the popularization of "Neurodiversity"
- The neurodiversity paradigm and autistic identities


History of the Neurodiversity Paradigm

- Disability has been largely under-explored in Intersectionality Theory works as compared to identity categories such as race, gender, and class. 
- One of the reasons for this under investigation is how disability as an identity itself contains so many smaller identities, which causes the larger disability identity groups to be more variant.
- These variations often cause an over-emphasis on individual boydminds rather than disability as an identity group that faces unique systemative oppression. 
- Contemporary Intersectionality theory foregrounds the interplay in other communities, as seen in the disability community, between individuals and groups. 
- Critically engaging with disability could potentially substantially change the understanding of the use of Intersectionality Theory as a theoretical method, methodology, paradigm, and analytical framework.

Disability as Understood through Intersectionality Theory and Praxis

- Using Smooth's tenets to understand the Neurodiversity Paradigm
- Example: 2016 Society for Disability Studies Conference

Examining the Neurodiversity Paradigm through a Intersectionality Theory Framework

- Why do practical applications matter?
- Coalition-building within the autistic rights movement and "identifying with"
- Example: Activist Movements around ending Police Violence 

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