The objective of a capitalist education system is simple: to prepare young minds to enter the exploitative workforce, and provide them with no other options — because under capitalism, there are no other options. Yet, the flaws of the capitalist education system often go unnoticed by the general population of young workers, as the false consciousness that has been fed to the population by the ruling class provides no alternative ideas to the systems in place. Or perhaps it is because it is simply easier to suck it up and deal with it than to question systems that powerful people say, time and time again, “work perfectly.” While it may be possible for the neurotypical brain to forcibly conform to the system in order to avoid conflict, or because no other option is given, neurodivergent people are set up for failure from the get-go.
The neurodiversity movement is a recent development in advocating for the rights of people disadvantaged by capitalism among the working class. “Neurodivergent” is a term that encompasses a wide spectrum of differences in neurological functioning, which “diverge” from the socially accepted (or “typical”) neurological state. Due to “neurodivergent” being an incredibly broad and all-encompassing term — which includes conditions ranging from anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder to conditions such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, OCD, and schizophrenia, as well as everything in between — I will be focusing on the capitalist education system through an autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic lens.
Neurodivergent people struggle as much as they do under capitalism due to the value that capitalism places on their productivity in the workplace. The appearance of productivity, however, is determined by a set of standards that make it much harder, or even impossible, for neurodivergent minds to achieve. We see neurodivergent people struggle the most in school, as the education system we currently have is a rigorous system specifically designed to prepare students to enter the workforce. This system is not designed for neurodivergent minds, and in fact can often be seen as disapproving of neurodivergent behaviours and patterns of thinking.
Due to the failure of neurodivergent students to comply with the capitalist structure of the education system, we are often labeled as lazy, worthless, and difficult to deal with by the very teachers who are supposed to be supporting the educational journey of their students. This lack of accommodation, and arguably basic human empathy, inevitably sets up neurodivergent students for failure in the workforce. It is even stated that only about 40 percent of autistic students graduate from a post-secondary institution, and even if that happens, the employment rate for autistic adults is only about 4.1 percent. These shocking statistics are due to the highly limited learning environment that actively oppresses the needs of these students, and refuses to acknowledge their best interests.
Equity under socialism
Since the education system under capitalism prioritizes producing workers over the best interest of said workers, it is safe to conclude that neurodivergent students are not the only ones negatively impacted by this system. The socialist model of education focuses the value on the students themselves, and not on the work that they are able to produce. Introducing a socialist or communist model of education as a replacement to our current system would significantly improve the performance and mental health of every current and future student.
Socialism places the utmost priority on free, quality, and informative education for all, with emphasis on accessibility and equity. Neurodivergent people in a socialist education system would undeniably thrive, thanks to the focus that socialist education places on individual needs. Furthermore, the Marxist-Leninist perspective of education is fundamental in the dismantling of ableism within the capitalist education system, and for ensuring that the best interests of the students are kept in mind. A system in which the value of the individual is seen, recognized, and emphasized, while pursuing an education in their area of interest, is the ideal situation for neurodivergent and neurotypical people alike.
A notable socialist example of equity and accommodation within the education system can be seen in Cuba today. With Cuba being an exemplar of the development of a communist state, the neurodiversity inclusion within its education system is no exception. Cuba’s education system is fully subsidized by the government and contains a total of 435 special education schools, nine of which specifically focus on assistance and support toward autistic students. These schools provide students with one-on-one learning assistance, an alternative and accommodating learning environment, and social opportunities to interact with other students. All of these are fully free of charge, whereas in North America, the additional learning assistance offered would be quite a large sum paid directly out of pocket.
Free, accessible, and comprehensive education is crucial in the moral and intellectual development of a child, and under capitalism, it is simply not provided. Socialist models of education are currently being used in our world and succeeding immensely. The needs of the children are being met, and in the eyes of those around them, their value is so much more than their ability to accumulate wealth.