PERSONAL NARRATIVE
A huge difficulty arises in these conversations due to the drastic
variances in levels of functioning on the spectrum. But what
if the solution is simple? What if we’re trying too hard to know
everything with certainty?
individual is finally having a voice in conversations
that are hugely significant to them. It’s incredible.
I’m in the camp of exhausted parents who also have
a right to a voice here. Since it’s the most important
job any of us will ever have, we’re passionate and
should be.
A huge difficulty arises in these conversations due to
the drastic variances in levels of functioning on the
spectrum. But what if the solution is simple? What if
we’re trying too hard to know everything with cer-
tainty? It seems reasonable to think every situation is
unique and deserves to be evaluated on an individu-
al, moment-to-moment basis.
Willing and able people with autism can, and should,
champion their causes. If they do, it’s extremely im-
portant that the “neurotypical” world hears them. Their
perspectives could be a huge part of what enables fur-
ther understanding. Imagine having something that’s
central to your way of existing, something you identify
with and take pride in. Wouldn’t it be annoying for peo-
ple that lack your intimate familiarity to treat it as an
issue, something to actively work on improving?
There’s something to be said for unique thinking.
Without attempting the impossible task of retroac-
tively diagnosing historical figures, it’s hard to ignore
that many great innovators have shared some of the
traits we’ve come to identify with autism. Pretty re-
liably, the people who drive our society forward are
people who think differently, even with the severely
limiting lack of social acceptance these individuals
often experience. I must acknowledge here that this
isn’t an all-encompassing statement on the genius of
people with autism. I, too, roll my eyes at the Rain
Man stereotypes. It’s only a reminder of the simple
notion that being different, even to a significant de-
gree, can be good.
12 | Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 74
The next natural question, then, is why is it usually
our goal for ourselves and our children, consciously
or not, to do everything we can to integrate into so-
ciety to the point of making ourselves invisible? Au-
tistic or not, we need to work on this one. Some the-
ories suggest that primitive survival strategies from
thousands of years ago are still at play. In an ancient
setting, where individual survival meant achieving
complete acceptance in a tribe, maybe this instinct
would be useful. But our world just isn’t that way
anymore, and unfortunately, we’re left with unneces-
sary barriers preventing most meaningfully different
things from flourishing.
In this context, it’s not farfetched to think of autism
as a beautiful genetic difference that we haven’t yet
figured out how to accommodate in our world. So
embracing diversity should be like, duh, no brainer.
But there’s a scenario when someone, fighting this
righteous cause, can take it too far. We have this one
reality within which to function. When our reality, as
a result of neurological differences, becomes an in-
tense daily struggle to accomplish things that most
are fortunate enough to achieve without effort, it’s
hard to wear the rose-colored glasses.
Some argue that implementing therapy programs
for people with autism is wrong