Page 15 - Courageous Conversations presentation 26 january 2026

RED LIGHT

Danger Zone: One-Size-Fits-All Thinking Why this is harmful:

What this looks like: • Reinforces stigma and internalised fear

• Viewing neurodiversity through deficit, risk or fear • Disproportionately impacts women, racially

• Assuming inability rather than exploring support minoritised parents, disabled parents

• Treating identities separately instead of as lived

realities • Confuses difference with risk

Examples (including your scenario):

• “Can an autistic woman cope with parenting?”

• “Is neurodivergence a safeguarding risk?” Red Light Question to challenge:

• “She’s autistic AND a mother — that’s concerning.” Am I reacting to difference or actual

• Applying parenting standards designed for harm?

neurotypical, middle-class, non-disabled women