The Social Model vs. Medical Model: Introducing the Acceptance Model for Autism

This informal CPD article, ‘The Social Model vs. Medical Model: Introducing the Acceptance Model for Autism’, was provided by Yasmeen Alqallaf at Yasmeen Center, a Special Needs Training and Consultancy based in Kuwait.

The discussion around autism has long been shaped by two primary perspectives: the medical model and the social model of disability. The medical model views autism as a condition that requires diagnosis and intervention, focusing on therapeutic strategies to address challenges. In contrast, the social model argues that autism is a natural neurological difference and that the real problem lies in society’s lack of accommodation and acceptance, rather than in the autistic individual.

Both models offer valuable insights, but each also has limitations. The medical model, when applied rigidly, can lead to interventions that prioritize conformity over well-being. Meanwhile, the social model, if taken to an extreme, may overlook the fact that many autistic individuals face significant challenges that require support.

To move beyond this divide, I propose a new framework—the Acceptance Model. This model integrates the strengths of both the medical and social models while ensuring that all interventions and accommodations respect autistic identity, support individual needs, and avoid harmful practices.

Understanding the Social and Medical Models in Autism

The medical model is the dominant framework used in clinical and therapeutic settings. It focuses on diagnosing autism based on behavioral and developmental differences and addressing challenges through therapies such as:

• Speech therapy for communication difficulties
• Occupational therapy to help with sensory and motor skills
• Behavioral interventions to develop coping strategies and adaptive behaviors

This model has led to valuable treatments that can help autistic individuals build essential life skills. However, it has also contributed to stigmatization and pressure to conform to neurotypical norms, leading to interventions that may be harmful, coercive, or dismissive of an autistic person’s natural ways of thinking and behaving.

The social model, on the other hand, shifts the focus away from autism as a “problem” and instead challenges society to be more inclusive. According to this model, autistic individuals struggle not because of their autism but because of:

• Inaccessible environments (e.g., overwhelming sensory stimuli)
• Social stigma that leads to discrimination
• A lack of accommodations in schools, workplaces, and public spaces

The social model promotes autism acceptance, self-advocacy, and disability rights, calling for systemic changes that make the world more accessible. However, it does not always fully address the fact that some autistic individuals want and need support to manage sensory processing issues, communication difficulties, and emotional regulation challenges.

Introducing the Acceptance Model

Recognizing the limitations of both existing models, I propose a new perspective—the Acceptance Model. This model merges the strengths of both the medical and social models, emphasizing that:

• Autism is not something to be “fixed,” but autistic individuals may still need support to navigate challenges.
• Interventions should focus on empowerment, not normalization.
• Environments should be adapted to accommodate autistic individuals, rather than forcing them to conform.
• Respect for autistic identity must be central to all therapies, education, and social policies.

Unlike the medical model, the Acceptance Model does not treat autism as a disorder to be cured or corrected. Unlike the social model, it does not dismiss the real challenges autistic individuals face. Instead, it takes a person-centered approach, ensuring that both therapies and environmental modifications genuinely benefit autistic individuals without forcing them to suppress or mask their natural traits.

How the Acceptance Model Works

1. Building Skills Without Forcing Conformity

• Therapy should focus on practical skill-building (e.g., communication, self-regulation, executive functioning).
• Instead of pressuring autistic individuals to act neurotypical, interventions should support their autonomy and help them navigate the world in a way that suits them.

2. Modifying the Environment Instead of Changing the Child

• Schools, workplaces, and public spaces should be sensory-friendly and accessible.
• Instead of forcing autistic individuals to adapt to environments that overwhelm them, we should modify environments to be more inclusive.

3. Supporting Emotional Regulation and Coping Strategies

• Many autistic individuals experience sensory overload, anxiety, and meltdowns. Therapy should teach self-regulation strategies like sensory breaks, structured routines, and deep pressure techniques.
• Instead of suppressing behaviors like stimming, individuals should be encouraged to find safe and self-soothing ways to express themselves.

4. Avoiding Harmful Practices

• Some interventions, such as compliance-based therapies that prioritize obedience over autonomy, can be damaging.
• Ethical therapies should prioritize consent, personal agency, and well-being, ensuring that autistic individuals feel respected rather than pressured into conformity.

Conclusion: Why We Need the Acceptance Model

The Acceptance Model provides a necessary alternative to the existing medical and social models. While the medical model helps identify and address challenges, and the social model promotes inclusion and acceptance, the Acceptance Model combines both perspectives into a holistic framework that prioritizes respect, autonomy, and meaningful support.

This approach ensures that autistic individuals receive the support they need without being pressured to change who they are. It advocates for ethical, person-centered interventions while also pushing for societal changes that create a more inclusive world.

By embracing the Acceptance Model, we move beyond outdated notions of “treatment” and “cure” and instead create a world where autistic individuals are empowered to live authentically, with the right support in place to help them succeed on their own terms.

We hope this article was helpful. For more information from Yasmeen Center, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.

References

1. Oliver, M. (1990). The Politics of Disablement: A Sociological Approach. Macmillan.

This book introduces the social model of disability and explains how societal structures create barriers for disabled individuals.

2. Milton, D. (2012). On the Ontological Status of Autism: The ‘Double Empathy Problem’. Disability & Society, 27(6), 883-887.

This paper discusses how misunderstandings between autistic and non-autistic people arise due to differences in perception, rather than deficits in autistic individuals.

3. Pellicano, E., den Houting, J. (2022). Annual Research Review: Shifting from ‘normal science’ to neurodiversity in autism science. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 63(4), 381-396.

This review explores how autism research is shifting towards more inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming approaches.