10 THINGS AN AUTISTIC ADULT WISHES
YOU KNEW
1. I am autistic, not just an adult with autism.
It is part of who I am.
Autism is a part of who I am. I was born this
way.
I would not choose to change that. Acknowledging
my autism as a part of me is entirely compatible with respecting
me as a person with thoughts, feelings, and talents. I am a human
being like everyone else and deserve the same dignity and respect
that any one else deserves. Please consider whatever term I prefer
and do not use language that suggests I suffer from an unfortune
disease.
2. Autism is a neurological variation, not a disease,
or mental illness.
Autism often includes differences in social behavior
and practical skills.
My behaviors and learning styles might vary. My
perceptions may differ. I may learn and understand things in way
thats different and process the world in a different way. Please
do not judge me or other autistics for our differences.
3. Who I am and what I am capable of is not defined
by medical diagnosing criteria. I am born with my own set of abilities
and difficulties, autism included.
Those who use it to tell me who I am and what
I can do are using it as a sterotype. Please do not make generalisations
and assumptions about me or other autistics.
4. I am not going to be cured.
Nothing will change me, and if it could, it would
destroy who I am completely and would leave me worse off. I have
the right to refuse questionable or risky treatments. My life is
my own, I do not want to be cured and I think the idea of curing
me and other autistics is wrong. Please respect my individuality
and do not try to fix me, because I am not broken.
5. I may be your adult child, but my life is own.
Parents do not have the right to choose questionable
or risky treatments without my consent. I have my own mind. I can
think for myself. I know what I want and don't want.
6. Focus on the positives of my, and others autism.
I am living my life as best as I can, I want to
make the most of it every day. Talking negatively about autistics
and focusing on our weaknesses all the time causes me and other
autistics emotional distress. Please do not use language that suggests
that being autistic is bad.
7. I am a logical thinker, that is one of my strengths.
It can make me take words literally, or misunderstand
jokes. Also I may be misunderstood equally by others, if you do
not understand my own logical style. I do have my own sense of humour
that is unique to me, it's a stereotype that autistics have no humour.
8. Socialising is not always easy, if I don't
want to join in, thats my choice, and I will avoid a situation if
I am uncomfortable with it. I am not trying to be'rude' or impolite.
It is simply better for me to participate socially when I choose,
rather than feeling forced.
9. I do have emotions, autistics are not emotionless
like some stereotypes suggest. However, I may express them in a
different way. What may make someone else cry, can be different
for me, it doesn't mean that I don't care, or am an uncaring person.
My facial expressions might not always reflect my emotions.
10. If you have an autistic adult in your family,
try to find out information about autism.
Many articles in the media only concern children,
try and find out the differences in an autistic adult. Some autistics
do get married, have jobs, leave home, some don't, we are all unique.
Please do not use language that suggests that being autistic makes
a person violent.
This list was written by adults on the autism spectrum in order to educate people on the views and opinions of
autistics.
Click here to go to the
home page to view the full range of autism fact sheets at www.autism-help.org
This article is reproduced from the Aspies
for Freedom wiki. |
