BRIDGING THE GAPS: Ethics, Empathy, and Equity in the Neurodiversity Movement

What happens when we pause and ask not just what we’re advocating for—but how we’re doing it?

In this thought-provoking conversation, Lana Kristine Jelenjev sits down with Dr Martin Bloomfield  to explore the evolving terrain of the neurodiversity movement —its moral tensions, internal fragmentations, and the urgent need for humility and care in our collective advocacy. Together, they unpack the ethical dilemmas, moral polarizations, trauma, and power dynamics shaping today’s discourse, while inviting us to reflect on humility, empathy, and the courage to hold complexity.

If you’ve ever felt the tension between advocacy and allyship, identity and inclusion, or visibility and vulnerability, this conversation offers a grounding perspective and a call to stay with the questions that matter.

This is not just a conversation for neurodiversity advocates—it’s a necessary pause for anyone in the work of systems change. 

“Love is the only thing that mends broken bridges. You can’t order a broken bridge to be mended. You have to love.” — Dr. Martin Bloomfield 

🧭 Three Major Points 

1. Ethics in Advocacy and the Danger of Moral Absolutism (00:00–04:45) 

The conversation opens with reflections on the expansion of the neurodiversity field and its accompanying polarities. Martin cautions that moral convictions—while necessary—can become exclusionary when held without self-reflection. When we equate “my morality” with “the moral truth,” we risk fragmentation and disconnection. 

2. The Power of Language and the Perils of Purism (05:00–15:00) 

The dialogue turns toward how language is policed within the movement. Martin and Lana discuss how disagreements over labels (e.g., "autistic person" vs. "person with autism") often center on control and identity politics rather than genuine harm. They call for inclusive advocacy that allows for multiple truths and lived expressions. 

3. Equity, Power, and the Need for Empathic Leadership (25:00–36:00) 

The final part focuses on how power imbalances shape whose voices are amplified in advocacy. Martin speaks to the loss of empathy that can accompany status, and how intentional humility—"washing the feet" of others—is a radical act of reconnecting with shared humanity. Empathy, he argues, isn’t a soft skill—it’s a moral imperative. 

Integration Prompts  

• What assumptions do I carry about what is "ethical" or "right" in my field? 

• When have I become strident in my advocacy? 

• What was I protecting? 

• What does it mean to “wash the feet” of those I serve, lead, or stand beside?

Bridging the Gaps Conversation Series is where we spotlight bold thinkers, writers, advocates, and social change champions in the neurodiversity movement. Our goal is to surface emerging ideas, amplify overlooked voices, and bring to light the tensions and possibilities shaping the field today.

✨ Who would you love to hear from next? Let us know which voices, questions, or conversations you'd like featured in this series, because bridging gaps starts with listening deeply.