4 Things No One Tells You About Autism

Here’s a list of four things that no one (or very few people) tell you about autism.

1) It’s OK to be autistic. This one might be biased but there seems to be an attitude out there that it’s not OK to be autistic as it’s “wrong” and people with autism / autistic people need to hide who they are or should want to be cured. I’m here to tell you that it’s perfectly OK to be autistic; it’s OK to be yourself.

2) Not everyone on the autism spectrum is the same. Just like no two people are the same, everyone on the autism spectrum is different too. Just because we may present with similar traits does not mean we are exactly alike. Please get to know us so you can see what our personalities are like before you assume we’re the same.

3) Autistic people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, just like everyone else. Unfortunately autistic people, even in this day and age, can be treated with little respect and dignity because of who they are. This needs to change!

4) Yes, autistic people do have feelings! I’ve experienced people assuming I don’t have empathy or feelings (or “feel things less”), therefore I can be spoken to and treated poorly. We have feelings! Just like you.