Finding out I was Autistic a few months before my 30th birthday was a life-changing revelation that helped me to understand myself (and others) in ways I never had before. 

Suddenly my life made sense. I had the answers to many things and was eager to share this information with others, but there was just one problem…

Because of the world’s limited understanding of NeuroDiversity, most people don’t REALLY know what Autism is, so when I tell people I am Autistic, they often won’t understand (or believe) what I’m saying.

Though frustrating, I don’t blame people for not understanding Autistics. I’m Autistic and didn’t REALLY know what Autism was for the first 29 years of my life.

When I was growing up, there wasn’t much representation of Autistics like me out there. We had Rain Man and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Neither of these represented me, and let’s not forget the influence Autism Speaks has had over defining public perceptions of Autism. ‘

If the general public had a less stigmatized, balanced human view of Autism and Autistic People, my life (and the lives of all Autistics) would be much easier.

I’m creating a new community outside of social media on Substack (where I can have more control over my space), and I hope you’ll join me as a free member (but I also have paid subscriptions if you want access to bonus content). Currently, for PRIDE MONTH all paid annual subscriptions are 50% off (only $25) your first year when you subscribe now through the end of the month.

#ActuallyAutistic #AskingAutistics: What do YOU wish non-autistics understood about Autism and Autistic People?

Here are mine:

The first thing I WISH people understood is the Autism Spectrum is not linear (from low to high functioning). 

It’s more of a color wheel of vast and varied shades (sensory & motor, emotional & cognitive, communication & social, dependency on routine & aversion to surprises).

To be diagnosed Autistic, you must show that you need support (whether that support comes from another person, technology and tools, or both).

When we oversimplify Autistic functioning in only three levels of support, it ignores that our ability to function can fluctuate significantly throughout our lives, depending on various factors. 

When we are young, like all people, we need the most support, but eventually, we may grow to need less help as we age and then more support once again once we age past a certain point. 

In the medical criteria for Autism, the levels mentioned (requires very substantial support, requires substantial support, requires support) were never meant to be permanent buckets people are dumped into. 

The levels are supposed to be a benchmark for assessing how much support is needed to help a person be successful in the varied areas they’re currently struggling with (not a life sentence), and often, once support is provided, many of us will struggle in life much less than before.