Today, I saw a young Autistic woman -- barely a year older than me -- discriminated against by community workers just because of her Autism diagnosis. Let me assure you, this woman is kind, well-meaning, persistent, competent, intelligent, and CAPABLE. This woman is no different than any other human, and yet the way these professionals spat the word "Autism" -- as if it was some terrible disease or something that made her "less" -- made her seem incredibly "other" even though she clearly was not.
It disheartened me that these well-educated people are so uneducated about autism and what it means to be Autistic.
All Autistics are different. Some Autistics need more assistance than others. But regardless, we are all human, we all deserve dignity, and we are all capable. We are individuals with a diagnosis of a neurological condition, not an illness or disability. We are not ill. We are quite able.
It scares me to know that people -- especially community workers who should really know better -- think Autism is this terrible and scary thing and don't even try to get to know Autistic individuals. As it goes, "Autism isn't a tragedy; Ignorance is the tragedy." Yeah, I'd agree that's true. Ignorance is also incredibly frustrating.
Please don't be ignorant. Please don't believe that all Autistics are the same or that an Autism diagnosis precludes an individual from certain rights and responsibilities.
(I think the illustration above is just kind of silly. I found it on Google).
I am capable.
Autistics are capable.
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