#considering most of this post is taken verbatim from the trainings I regularly give at work

[autisticslp]

Independence vs. Autonomy

I keep seeing posts that make it clear that most people don’t have an understanding of the difference between independence and autonomy when discussing disability. This is especially clear during discussions surrounding aides and caregivers.

Independence is not needing help from anyone. While many people believe that they are totally independent, in reality true independence is a lie. All humans are interdependent. Unless you’re all alone in the middle of nowhere in a cabin you built yourself, growing you own food, making your own clothes, and crossing your fingers for luck if you get sick or hurt, you’re not independent (and even then, there’s dependence on nature, someone obviously birthed and raised you, humans need social interaction, etc).

In contrast, autonomy is having free will, or the ability to choose what you say and do and how.

Obviously, these two concepts are interrelated. People who are more independent in the typical activities society expects usually have significantly more autonomy than those who need more help from others. However, this is not always true.

Someone who can take care of themself and their living space independently but uses up so much time and energy doing so that they don’t have the ability to do things they want to do, such as hobbies and socializing, has high independence but low autonomy.

On the other hand, someone who needs 24/7 care but is able to direct that care and live their life how they want and do what’s important to them has low independence but high autonomy.

Obviosuly, there are situations where increasing independence is very important, primarily when it relates to safety, but in most cases, independence is not what’s most important, autonomy is.