On Internalised Ableism: The dangerous aftermath of persevering | Jax Hung | TEDxRCHK Youth

In this TEDx talk, Jax Hung shares their personal experience as someone diagnosed with autism at age four to explore the concept of internalized ableism. The speaker explains how it took 16 years for them to healthily communicate their disability to others, highlighting how society's lack of normalized disability discourse creates shame around expressing needs. Jax describes internalized ableism as occurring when disabled people adopt beliefs that they are incompetent or must compensate for their disabilities, citing a study of 21 disabled participants who framed disability as a burden to overcome. The research revealed that parental and medical expectations drive this internalization, with doctors focusing on dysfunctional aspects rather than potential abilities. As someone with an invisible disability, Jax explains how their social struggles are incomprehensible to others who don't see their dependence on adult guidance until age 14 or the physical toll of navigating social nuances. The speaker challenges the supposedly affirming notion of being told 'you're normal,' arguing it merely confirms success at hiding difference rather than providing genuine acceptance. Jax warns that constantly trying to appear normal treats neurodivergent traits as prey in a 'duck hunt' where being caught in vulnerability feels like failure. The talk concludes with practical advice for change, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging limits and taking rest, supported by 2021 research showing burnout's lifelong effects including greater fatigue and reduced planning abilities. The speaker advocates for internal self-reflection to understand deeply rooted ableist values, acknowledging this process is difficult but yields benefits like greater clarity in social situations.