April is National Autism Acceptance Month, and it’s great to see so much attention around autism awareness and acceptance. In recent years, I’ve definitely seen the way society talks about autism shift—but we still have a long way to go to destigmatize this developmental difference, reshape perceptions about autism, and make the world more accessible and welcoming to autistic individuals.
Destigmatizing Autism
The stigma associated with autism has been relatively understudied, though it has (unsurprisingly) been connected with poor treatment outcomes and a negative impact on overall well-being. A study explains that autism stigma is a result of two key factors:
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- Public and professional understanding (or misunderstanding!) of what autism is
- (Mis)Interpretation of visible autistic traits
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The impact of this stigma on autistic individuals is incredibly damaging. The study found that stigmatization, as well as leading to poor physical and mental health, led to reduced social connections and increased “masking” of autistic traits.
As an autistic individual, this really hits home for me. I rarely talk about my own diagnosis because of the stigma around it. Will people devalue my ability to diagnose autism and support autistic children? Will they still hear me as a voice for my children and patients?
It’s time for this stigma to be put to bed, but to change it, we first need to better understand autism and shift our perception.
A Better Understanding of Autism
One of the biggest barriers to redefining our collective understanding of autism is that most people see autism as a deficit versus a difference. Autism brings a lot of value to our society, for many reasons:
1. Passion drives success: Autistic people often have strong interests focused on specific topics. Being able to stay focused on one goal or interest for a long period of time can lead to great success. Think about Charles Darwin or Albert Einstein. Yes, both of these incredible scientific minds were autistic!
2. Social differences inspire change: Autistic people experience social interactions differently. For example, they may have just a handful of close friends who share their interests and support their goals. They also may spend less time socializing, which can help them stay focused on reaching their goals. Emily Dickinson, Michaelangelo, and Nikola Tesla – all autistic – made massive contributions to their fields.
3. Heightened sensory awareness can be a gift: By nature, autistic people are sensitive to their environment. This gift can create an awareness of how they and other beings process the plethora of sensory stimuli around them. Temple Grandin, a well-known animal behaviorist and a huge proponent for the ethical treatment of livestock, was able to apply sensory intuition to help devise animal handling systems that minimize pain and fear.
Let’s look at autism as part of the person versus as a disorder. I use first person language because of this – autistic person rather than person with autism. Being autistic is a difference much like speaking a different language with varied cultural norms. One can think of it as a cultural difference regarding sensory information processing and social communication. It is different and may even be a desirable difference.
Autism and the Icebergs Theory
Graphic used with permission from The Brain & Gut Institute.
A colleague of mine recently shared this graphic with me, and it really resonated. The tip of the iceberg is what we classically think of as autism. These visual differences associated with autism drive the stigma around it, but there is so much that goes unseen when just looking at an autistic person.
Below the surface is an exquisitely sensitive person whose environment affects them immensely. These children are an “orchid” needing a supportive world to flourish. And, like all children, autistic children have potential and a desire to connect with others.
Sure, there may be some challenges: gut inflammation, food sensitivities, auditory processing, etc. Thankfully, these all can be addressed to help a child thrive (versus be “cured” of autism).
Knowing the underlying reasons for why autistic people present to the world the way they do can drive empathy, understanding, and acceptance—the goal of National Autism Acceptance Month.
Autism and Accessibility
It’s no secret that the world is set up for neurotypical people versus for autistic people, or other developmental differences. Here are a few suggestions for promoting inclusivity:
1. Slow down. Count to 10 while waiting for a response.
2. Go beyond words, and show with your body what you mean.
3. Use words and pictures to clarify signage.
4. Ask about the best way to greet someone—every individual will have their own preference, and the best approach is to ask them or their family.
5. Don’t take it personally if someone doesn’t make eye contact while speaking to you.
6. Be open-minded and curious (but keep your curiosity respectful).
Making the world more accessible and inclusive requires us to factor things like sound, light, movement, and smell into the equation. At the end of the day, we want the world to be comfortable for everyone, no matter how they experience it.
Support for Autistic Children
At Orchid Pediatrics, we work with children experiencing a wide range of developmental differences. From therapeutic intervention to working with the entire family unit, we take an integrative approach to developmental and behavioral pediatrics. If you are concerned about your child’s developmental path, reach out today!
*** Disclaimer
This blog is for entertainment, informational, and general educational purposes only and should not be considered to be healthcare advice or medical diagnosis, treatment or prescribing. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care. Always seek the advice of your qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
