The Cockpit Analogy for the Neurodiversity Spectrum

In her essay, 'The Cockpit Analogy for the Neurodiversity Spectrum', Pia Hämäläinen, an autistic theorist, presents the cockpit analogy for neurodiversity, not just for autism. According to this analogy, the features of neurodiversity can be seen as the systems of measure of the control panel of an aircraft cockpit controlling various phenomena ranging from cognitive styles to types of intelligence and linguistic abilities. The features need to be individually configured for each person on the neurodiversity spectrum - where all people naturally belong.

Pia Hämäläinen (b. 1966), BA, is an autistic theorist who applies theory to autism and constructs new theory. Her special interests include communication theory, process philosophy, autism theory, systems/ complexity theory, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and Christian theology, especially process theology. She has translated books, written poetry and autism theory both in Finnish and in English. The English publications include The Shape of Autism (Durig and Hämäläinen), Autism in Code. Extrapolating from Theory and Experience (Hämäläinen), An Autism Upgrade. On Patterns and Processes (Hämäläinen), Elaborating on the Double Empathy Problem - An Essay on the Compatibility of Neurotypicality and Autism (Hämäläinen), and Reading Signs and Solving Puzzles - On Communication in Autism (Hämäläinen). Hämäläinen also made a contribution to Paula Moraine's book on autism and Executive Function entitled Autism and Everyday Executive Function.