“Electronic Art for Neurodiversity: ASD I” presented by Oviedo

• Cynthia P. Villagómez Oviedo

Contemporary society has acknowledged the coexistence of diverse social groups where political, economic, and cultural differences prevail. However, despite this recognition, there are minority groups that struggle every day for their visibility and the necessary consideration of their differences. Among these groups are Mexican indigenous ethnicities; groups fighting for their right to sexual diversity; those with disabilities or different abilities, including people with psychosocial disabilities, among whom are people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In the case at hand, we will address people with ASD I, formerly known as Asperger’s Syndrome, because within this group are people with the mildest form of ASD, who are expected by society, composed mainly of neurotypical individuals, to perform as if they were not neuro divergent. That is, people with ASD I often have an “invisible” disability, where even at the clinical level, there are no traces of this condition. It is a psychosocial disability where individuals deal with social-emotional reciprocity, non-verbal communication, and developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships. This further undermines people living with this disorder, who are subjected from childhood to various forms of aggression, such as abuse, sensory overload, gaslighting, misunderstandings, among others. The sensory, emotional, mental, and occupational processing of a person with ASD is different from that of the majority of individuals. The consequences for a person with ASD living in inadequate conditions include dysregulations and co-occurrences such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and depression, psychological conditions such as constant crises (meltdowns and shutdowns), feelings of chronic loneliness, burnout, among others, which hinder their right to a fulfilling life. In this regard, the present research will focus on studying Mexican electronic art pieces that can contribute to or provide social and sensory environments adapted to the characteristics of people with ASD I. A study on ASD will be developed, including its general characteristics, background, causes, as well as those factors that may facilitate social integration, which is vital in a condition affected by the social environment. At a certain point in the research process, those components that would make the creation of an electronic art piece for individuals with ASD I feasible will be classified, with the aim of raising awareness of this disability and contributing to facilitating social inclusion for individuals affected by this disorder.