Alexithymia and Neurodivergence: A Wittgensteinian Deconstruction
Abstract
This paper examines the pertinence of concept of alexithymia and the assessment tools used to screen for alexithymia (notably the Toronto Alexithymia Scale), especially with regard to the neurodivergent population. Defined as a personality trait involving difficulties identifying and describing feelings and externally orientated thinking, alexithymia is currently thought to affect 55% of Autistics and 41,5% of ADHDers (as opposed to 10% of the general population), and is often referred to as a deficit, impairment or disorder when related to neurodivergent populations. This paper focuses more specifically on autism, and suggests that assessment tools fail to take into account the neurosensory and communication differences in Autistics. It proposes alternative explanations as to why Autistics may score highly on alexithymia evaluations. Drawing on Wittgenstein's reflections from later works on the philosophy of psychology as well as the notion of language-games, it seeks to offer a reframing of the challenges encountered by neurodivergent individuals regarding the communication of feelings and sensations.
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