Autism Acceptance Week 2023: Say What?

Just a quick post today as I've woken up with the lurgy and feel like shite.

Got a friend who's been recently diagnosed?

Friend got a child who's been recently diagnosed?

Want to show support and not sound like a massive cock?

If so you're in luck as here is a handy print out guide as to what NOT to say in relation to autism.

Or to someone who's autistic.

You're welcome Andrew.

 

 

"I've read a thing on the internet so I am right!"

 

 

 

1. “Don’t worry, we're all a little Autistic.”

No. 

Just no.

At last count we make up around 1.5% of the population.....it's like announcing that "We're all a little bit pregnant" to someone expecting a baby or "We're all a little bit wobbly on our feet!" to someone in a wheelchair.

I mean, if we were all a little bit Autistic we wouldn't have to fight for everything would we?

Yes I understand that folk maybe say it from a good place but here's a thing, engage your brain before you open your mouth.

And don't think that by replying with "It's a spectrum." proves you right because it doesn't.  

Because yes, of course it's a spectrum but it happens to be an autistic one...for autistic people. 

The clue is in the name.

Oh yes and if you're not autistic and by this point you've not realised that you've decided to argue the definition of autism with an autistic person then you're actually an utter arse and everyone else can see it.

2. “Ooooh are you/is he like Rainman?”

Rainman is about a man who had savant skills, very neat hair and wears beige.

Only about 10% of autistic folk have savant skills and way fewer wear beige so you're kinda setting folk up for a disappointment.

Plus the film is now over 30 years old and oh so slightly problematic.

 

3.  “You don’t look Autistic.”

"Well you don't look like an utter arse but here we are."

 

4. "Did you give them the MMR jag?"

Ah the old anti-vax trope favoured by grannies and the terminally thick that has resurfaced recently thanks to COVID. 

It's way too complicated a history as to the whys and wherefores of Wakefield's frankly ludicrous claims to go into here but suffice to say it's utter rubbish but here's a nice easy read on the NHS website if you're bored.

5. "My (insert relative here) has autism and is nothing like you!"

Where to begin?

Yup I'm nothing like your 6 year old granddaughter probably because I'm not a 6 year old girl....oh yes and it's a spectrum.

By the way if you really want to get an autistic persons back up then using person first language (as in a child with autism, he has autism) is the way to do it.

We're autistic, it's not an accessory we carry about with us, you wouldn't say person with Chinese or person with gay would you?

If you're still confused you can read the handy comic about it here.

Thanks for listening.