April is Autism Acceptance Month—a time to reflect, educate, and advocate for the understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder or ASD. ASD affects 1 in 54 people in the United States, and it is present across all races, ethnicities, and socio-economic groups. Yet, there remains a lack of understanding, and ASD is still feared and stigmatized at times.
Next, we’ll explore the basics of autism, the unique challenges individuals with ASD face, the strengths they have, and the importance of celebrating neurodiversity.
What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism is a developmental disorder that affects how a person interacts with the world around them. We use the term “spectrum,” because autism can manifest in many different ways and at varying degrees of severity. Some people may need significant support in daily life, while others may require minimal assistance. Autism can affect:
- Communication: People with autism may struggle with verbal and nonverbal communication. This could look like difficulty with eye contact or understanding tone of voice.
- Social Interaction: Social cues can be confusing, and people on the spectrum might find it challenging to engage in some social situations. Social interaction can also be draining, and many autistic people may need a break after engaging in social activities.
- Behavior: People with autism often have repetitive behaviors or intense interests in specific topics.
- Sensory Sensitivities: Many people with autism experience heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory input, such as lights, sounds, textures, or smells. This can also be draining as people with autism may be more sensitive to sensory input that neurotypical people may not even notice.
It’s important to recognize that every person with autism is unique. Some people may be nonverbal, while others may be highly articulate. Some may need help navigating daily life, while others may be independent and lead successful careers. In fact, 40% of people with autism have above average intelligence.
The Challenges of Living with Autism
For many people with autism, daily life can present a series of challenges. The world is often designed for neurotypical individuals, leaving those on the spectrum to navigate environments that might feel confusing or isolating. Some of the common challenges include:
- Social Struggles: Navigating social norms, understanding body language, or knowing when to speak or listen can be difficult for people with autism. Autistic people may have to work much harder than a neurotypical person to “fit in,” which can be emotionally draining.
- Misunderstanding and Stigma: People with autism may face prejudice, bullying, or exclusion due to their differences. Misunderstandings about the condition—such as seeing it only in terms of deficits or behaviors that are “awkward”—can perpetuate stereotypes.
- Mental Health Concerns: People with autism are at a higher risk for anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, partly because of the difficulties in social interactions and sensory sensitivities. It can be very exhausting to navigate a world built for neurotypical people, and this exhaustion can lead to mental health challenges.
The Strengths and Abilities of Autism
- Hyperfocus: People with autism can have incredible focus. They can take a deep dive into areas of specific interest.
- Attention to Detail: Autistic people may be able to notice details that others might overlook. This trait can present in various ways, from an incredible memory for specific facts or figures to being able to spot differences in patterns.
- Creativity: People with autism often solve problems in unique ways, they can have a strong ability to think outside the box. Autistic thinkers may be able to process information differently, which may allow them to come up with innovative and unique solutions to problems.
- Empathy: Autistic people lacking empathy is one of the biggest misconceptions that our society has about autism. People with autism can have difficulty with cognitive empathy or the ability to recognize and name another person’s emotional state. However, there is no difficulty with affective empathy, or a person’s ability to feel another person’s emotions and have a desire to respond to them.
- Honesty: Research demonstrates that people with autism tend to be more honest than a neurotypical person. Autistic people may prefer a more direct form a communication and find that lying feels inauthentic and exhausting.
Celebrating Neurodiversity
Embrace the strengths of those on the autism spectrum. Their unique ways of thinking, problem-solving, and creating can offer invaluable perspectives to the world. Here are a few ways you can celebrate neurodiversity during Autism Acceptance Month (and beyond):
- Educate Yourself and Others: Read books, attend workshops, or follow autistic advocates online. Here are some resources:
- Association for Autism and Neurodiversity: aane.org
- Ascent Autism: ascentautism.com
- Uniquely Human podcast: https://uniquelyhuman.com/
- Be Kind and Patient: If you meet someone with autism, be patient and empathetic. Allow them the time and space they need to communicate and express themselves.
- Challenge Stigma: We also need to stand up against bullying, discrimination, and ignorance. Challenge the stereotypes you may encounter about autism and promote understanding in your community. This could mean speaking up when you hear someone making a derogatory comment about autism or organizing an educational event about autism in your local community. By doing so, you’re not just making a difference in the lives of those with autism, but you’re also contributing to a more inclusive and empathetic society.
Autism is not something that should be feared or stigmatized. It’s a natural variation of human development, and when we approach it with kindness, respect, and empathy, we open the door to a richer, more diverse world. By supporting and accepting those with autism, we create a world where everyone can feel valued and understood. This April let’s celebrate the beautiful differences that make each of us unique!
