What I Want the World to Know About Autism
Autism requires understanding and empathy. Autism affects social and learning skills. It can also affect the way someone thinks and it can make it difficult to comprehend (understand) words, situations, facial expressions or emotions.
I want to share my story about my life with autism. I was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at 6 years old. PDD-NOS stands for Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified; it’s on the Autism Spectrum. As a child, I had no eye contact, poor language and social skills and melted down every day. I was nonverbal and overly sensitive to everything like noises. I didn’t really understand why I had tutors in classes with me. I still do, and I’m fine with that.
Now I know I have tutors in classes with me because I learn differently. Without tutors, I would be confused and wouldn’t be able to understand what’s going on. I was bullied, picked on and made fun of and lied to in school. People would stare and point at me. It made me feel like I would never fit or blend in with everyone else. Many tried to push me down, but people who care about me helped me go back up on my feet.
Look at me now. I’ve worked extremely hard, and I’m independent. Whenever people try to bring me down, I automatically get back up. When a person points and stares at someone with autism, that’s called being rude and disrespectful. I think the people who judge me really just don’t understand.
For those of you who support people with autism and don’t judge them at all, keep continuing to spread autism awareness. For those of you who don’t seem to understand autism, try to ask yourself, “How can I help people with autism?” For those of you who have autism, you are beautiful fearless warriors. Nothing can stop you from succeeding. You can succeed like everyone else. You are just as equal as anyone. If you want to succeed, go for it. For those of you who want to understand autism, try practicing empathy. Offer people on the spectrum fairness, equality and respect. And I encourage you to stop judging others.
Nothing will ever stop me from rising to the top. Nothing is going to stop me from rising all the way to success. I am never going to give up. That is why I am writing this.
The Mighty is asking the following: What is a part of your or a loved one’s disease, disability or mental illness that no one is aware of? Why is it time to start talking about it? Check out our Submit a Story page for more about our submission guidelines.