Important PSA That I Think Is Important to Share: Autism Isn't What You Think It Is Part One
Hey y’all, so I know at least a few of y’all know this, but I’m autistic, and I want to spread autism awareness, because everyone misunderstands autism to the point it’s concerning.
So, I can’t help but notice that people always talk about racism, sexism, and homophobia, which are INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, and should be talked about even more.. but.. I can’t help but notice people never talk about Abelism. Abelism is discrimating against people with disabilities, mental or physical, and it’s so common, I hear it in day to day conversations. It' always makes me feel sick. So I am here to clear up some myths about autism.
1: Autistics can’t feel empathy: This one ALWAYS bothers me. IT PISSES ME OFF. OF COURSE AUTISTICS CAN FEEL EMPATHY. Sometimes it’s just hard, and often times, it’s that emotions are so overwealming it feels numb, Autistics actually feel emotions VERY DEEPLY, to the point it’s too much sometimes, and people make them out to be emotionless robots.
2: Autism is a mold people can fit in: Autistics are all VERY different. Not all autistics are non-verbal, not all autistics are geniuses, not all autistics are outwardly autistic, autism is EVERYWHERE. People often compare autistics saying is “more” or “less” autistic then the other, which is NOT TRUE, it’s just different.
3: “High Functioning” Autistics don’t need help, and their diagnosis doesn’t really mean much: this is a myth that has followed me whenever I tell someone I’m autistic. When I try to explain things to them, they think I’m just making excuses, or they’re like “but you’re not non-verbal, so it’s not like you need help or anything?” It really sucks. But it’s equally awful when people treat autism like a charity case, it’s like whenever someone acts like Africa is a charity case, it usually comes from a good place, but it often stigmatizes a certain thing further, unintentionally.
4: Autistics are either stupid, or geniuses: I HATE THIS ONE SO MUCH. WHAT IS THIS SUPPOSED TO MEAN??? I LITERALLY SAW SOMEONE SAY THIS AND IT MADE ME SO MAD!!! AUTISTICS ARE’NT STUPID, JUST BECAUSE THEY DON’T THINK THE SAME!!
5: Autism is a disease/epidemic: PEOPLE ARE GETTING DIAGNOSED NOW EVEN IF THEY AREN’T A NON-VERBAL EIGHT YEAR BOY WHO LIKES TRAINS AND NOW SOCIETY IS LIKE “oH iT mUsT bE aN ePiDeMiC!!”
I also really hate how people always act like someone treating autistics like people is so heroic. Like I saw a thing that was like. “And she played with her AUTISTIC sister” And I was like. “So what? What difference does that make. WHY DOES THE FACT THEY'RE AUTISTIC MATTER?? It’s like being: “wow, you’re so kind for putting up with an autistic” AND IT PISSES ME OFF
This is just the TIP of the iceberg, so get ready for more. I would also appreciate a comment just letting me know you saw this.
Meme Below is so real:
