When #AutismAwarenessMonth is a time of year that thousands of Autistic people hate the most, you have to consider the question:
"Why?"
If you don't already know the reasons, this is a thread for you.
"Why?"
If you don't already know the reasons, this is a thread for you.
April is a month when allistic people are the loudest in speaking over Autistic voices; when Autistic ppl watch progress unravel while being bombarded by people with good intentions & able1$t impacts who double down on the harm they cause instead of letting Autistic people lead.
April is a month of able1$t puzzle pieces, functioning labels, pseudoscience, talks of "cures", vaccine disinformation, "epidemic" fearmongering, Autism Speaks propaganda, tokenisation & exploitation of Autistic ppl, inspiration p0rn, saviourism, & more. Rinse & repeat each year.
If the Autistic people you encounter this April seem angry & bitter, & you feel even the slightest urge to tone-police them, halt & ask yourself:
"What context am I missing/dismissing here? What aspects of Autistic lived experience & culture am I overlooking?"
"What context am I missing/dismissing here? What aspects of Autistic lived experience & culture am I overlooking?"
Autistic people are often highly sensitive to perceived injustices. So when Autism Awareness Month has an impact that countless autists feel is unfair, it can be extremely hard for us to let it go. The helplessness & frustration generated can be genuinely traumatic.
It hurts to know that no matter how strongly you advocate, someone without your marginalised lived experiences feels entitled to talk over you - & will likely get praised for it.
It's no wonder why every April hundreds of Autistic people reach month's end burnt out & distraught.
It's no wonder why every April hundreds of Autistic people reach month's end burnt out & distraught.
Many Autistic people are choosing to step away completely from Autism Awareness Month this year, out of self-preservation. And I really encourage Autistic people to prioritise self-preservation, as we can't develop meaningful, creative change if we're running on empty. But...
It disgusts me that Autistic people are being forced to remove ourselves from conversations ABOUT us, by the very "allies" who claim to want what's best for us. How is it allyship if it supports the same systems that disproportionately harm the people you "care" about?
Autistic disability-justice efforts are currently 10 steps ahead of where mainstream autism awareness needs to be.
If you consider yourself an "ally", try to show it by learning from, centering, heeding, & amplifying diverse Autistic voices all year round; not just in April.
If you consider yourself an "ally", try to show it by learning from, centering, heeding, & amplifying diverse Autistic voices all year round; not just in April.
This Autism Awareness Month, I'm posting whatever I want whenever I want. I'm blocking & deleting whoever I please. I'm saying no to people who want to tokenise & exploit me for the benefit of their own platforms. This month I'm prioritising Autistic well-being, including my own.
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