Autism Acceptance Week 2026: Thinking Allowed.

So we're getting to the climax of Autism Acceptance Week 2026 and as per usual there's been very little - if any - mention of it from local authorities, government bodies and the like, almost as if they really don't care.

But let's be honest we're kinda used to it by now.

As a plus point I've been hemorrhaging X (formerly Twitter) followers this week since concentrating on 'Tism Tweets  but that might just be because everyone hates me or they're just bored with my spectrum shenanigans.

Either way I'm doing a serious post today because, frankly, I can. 

 

So pull up a chair and grab a drink as we talk about the differences you see (online and in the 'real-life') 'tween Autistic parents and 'Autism parents'.

And before anyone jumps in and starts shouting at me (surprisingly this happens a fair bit, almost like folk think they're chastising a child and not talking to a 56 year old man) I'd like to point out that this isn't an angry hate piece written from on high about how one group is better than the other but more about have the differences can be utterly confusing and at times a wee bit freaky.* 

And this is exactly how these scenarios play out. Fact.

I covered something similar years ago but usually forget about it till Autism Acceptance Week comes along because that's where the big differences 'tween the Autistic and non-Autistic posters really come into their own.

 

As a plus point this years not been as scary as the overzealous stuff Ive seen in the past - think the general hatred and othering of Autistic people has become a mainstream hobby in the last 12 months - but there's still an occasional clumsy (but probably well-meaning) comment/post about the hardships of having an Autistic person in the house that blindsides you and hits hard.

I mean when I read how Autism can break up marriages, destroy friendships, cause mental health issues and generally make folks lives hell I can't help but feel If not me personally then my 'condition' is at least is responsible in some way and that this must be what I do to other people.

Do I have so few friends because I'm too stressful or difficult to be around and it's just too much hard work?

Am I causing untold damage to my wife by just being who I am?

Am I somehow a burden to those close to me, only giving joy in tiny amounts when I achieve something that others take for granted?

Obviously not cos that is utter bollocks.

But it still makes you question yourself when - by accident or design - the default setting seems to be Autism=bad.

 

 

Maybe I over-compensate or maybe it's just that I don't feel the disconnect from Autism so I don't spend time trying to come to terms with it but what I do know is that whenever myself or my podlings have ever had a meltdown** it's not Autism  that's responsible - it's the lack of support or understanding in the outside world.

Whenever I get frustrated or annoyed that I'm not being heard or understood I know that it's not my fault, it's the person I'm talking to not having a brain that works exactly like mine.

And the fact that you might not be interested in the contradictions and mistakes in Doctor Who continuity?

Totally your fault.

You see, if a parent wants to blame Autism for everything (even when just venting) then by rights I can blame everything on people who aren't Autistic.

So do I have so few friends because I'm too stressful to be around and it's just too much hard work or is it because NT folk aren't complex enough to be interesting?

See?

Not cool is it?

Now, both sides might think they're right*** but it's not actually gonna get us anywhere is it?

And before anyone pipes in with a 'But you're 'high functioning'! (gah) My child can't speak!" in a vain effort to win at some bizarre victim-based game of Autistic Top Trumps, can I just say (and I've said it before) I understand your frustrations and I get it -  my twin daughters didn't speak till they were 6 and Cassidy (19) still has limited vocabulary,  (very) limited social skills and needs constant 1:1 support and it yes can be bloody hard work.

I'm 56 and still have trouble with shoelaces and can't navigate big cities, the other year I ended up crying on a London Underground worker because there were too many words on the sign and it jumbled into a mess meaning I couldn't find out where I was.

It actually took singing the Underground Ernie theme to figure out my route.

But yep, I'm absolutely fine.

As I said in a previous post (what can I say, I like repetition - sue me) I understand that parenting an Autistic child can be hard - as can parenting in general and some folk cope better than others but to equate Autism with everything that can and is wrong is quite honestly offensive to those of us who actually are Autistic.

For years we had folk shouting "But we need folk to be aware of Autism and what it's like!" but I have to say that in all honesty if folk aren't aware by now then that's their problem.

Me? I've got awareness spilling out of my shoes.

"What we need now is acceptance!" became the next battle cry.

 

They even changed the name to Autism Acceptance Week in a vain hope of people listening.

 

The thing is tho' that we're never, ever gonna get Autism acceptance if a huge amount of parents/carers and yes Autistic people can't actually accept it (and I mean all of it) themselves.
 

Thanks for listening.

*By freaky I mean upsetting but didn't want to put you off reading.

 

**A wee note to housing officers/Social Workers, if you've stressed out an Autistic person to the point where they're tearfully shaking and pointing out that the situation has caused them to hit meltdown, maybe reevaluate your attitude or work practices and re-arrange the meeting, don't under any circumstances just sit and stare whilst occasionally asking the Autistic person to keep their voice down whilst being faux offended because the Autistic person has presumed that you know nothing about Autism because at this point it's pretty fucking clear that you don't. 

***Actually we're the ones who are right.