Here’s the thing with autism and those of us who are autistic or have autistic kids: We’re taught (or forced to) “normalize” our experiences and bend to fit into a “neurotypical” society … a society which does not, mostly, have acceptance or compassion for neurodiversity. It’s also a world that feels rather harsh for many of us.
Even many of the big autism advocacy organizations pathologicalize autism, contributing to undercurrents of fear, shame, and myths around what autism really is … and one of the biggest things you hear is how “disruptive” it is. (Particularly for the public.)
I’m autistic and my daughter is on the spectrum.
While every autistic experience is different, and while it can be very challenging at times (in my case with sensory overload and executive functioning), there are magnificent gifts.
We need more neurotypicals who stand up as allies for the autistic—or any diverse—community. We need to hear more autistic voices, too … not just “experts” and so-called advocates who want to prevent or cure autism … which I find extremely offensive, as do many others in the autistic community.
It’s my hope that we can change beliefs around autism so there isn’t fear and shame, but instead inclusion, acceptance, and celebration.