Environmental support needs are often ignored in the conventional medical model. Traditionally, most professionals follow up an autism assessment with intervention exercises to encourage people to adapt to neurotypical environments. However, attempting to make autistic children communicate and behave like neurotypicals is less of a problem-solving, practical approach and more a way to make autistic individuals less authentic (Dwyer et al., 2025).
Fortunately, an increasingly large number of practitioners are choosing to use a social model of disability (Olkin, 2022). Rather than looking for neurodivergent people to make a change, a social model seeks to affirm their neurodiversity and change their environment instead. Using adaptive behavior assessments like the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS®-3) and methods can lead to questions such as:
- Can work processes or education be modified so they don’t clash with neurodivergent needs?
- Could the sensory characteristics of a home, classroom, or work environment be modified so the autistic person can learn and work comfortably?
- Can communication devices make it easier for autistic people to communicate their wishes and needs?
- Can families, peers, and educators be educated so they’ll accept and understand neurodivergent needs and ways of being?
How Does the Social Model of Disability Work?
The social model of disability has three core principles: Barriers are the problem, disability is socially constructed, and focusing on inclusion is key. Let’s go over each of these three core principles in more detail.
Barriers Are the Problem
Institutional, physical, and attitudinal barriers create most of the issues between any disabled individual and society. Whether a job won’t provide flexible work hours or has low expectations for neurodivergent people, these barriers can make it more difficult to succeed.
Disability is Socially Constructed
Society has long been designed for a strictly defined ‘norm.’ Again, this creates barriers that can prevent a neurodivergent individual from succeeding. Up to 20% of Americans are neurodivergent, which means that the ‘norm’ doesn’t work for them (Northwestern Medicine, 2024). By choosing to view their strengths rather than challenges, neurodivergent people can add several important skills like:
- Unique problem-solving
- Creativity and innovation
- Accuracy
- Reliability
- High levels of concentration
Focus on Inclusion
Human diversity accounts for external, internal, and worldview differences. It also comes from a variety of sources, including environment, biology, culture, and individual choice. However, society still places the onus on the individual to adapt, when what’s needed is for society to adapt. There are three main factors to consider (FSU Staff, n.d.):
- Inclusion
- Equity
- Sense of belonging
When workplaces and classrooms focus on inclusion, they help bring out qualities such as self-regulation, self-care, and intelligent thought and reasoning (N.E. Contributors et al, 2025).
Embracing Adaptive Behavior Assessments
The ABAS-3 assessment is one of the best ways to learn about an individual’s specific needs. It provides a look at their adaptive skills across their life span. Learning which adaptive skills are natural versus those an individual may have trouble with provides a roadmap for future success. Also, remember to keep the three core principles of the social model of disability in mind: Focusing on inclusion is key, barriers are the problem, and disability is socially constructed.
