10 things you can change that will help #autistic people in your life:
1. Don't demand everyone makes eye contact with you. For autistic people, this can be alienating as eye contact can be really intense and unpleasant.
1. Don't demand everyone makes eye contact with you. For autistic people, this can be alienating as eye contact can be really intense and unpleasant.
2. Enough with the unasked-for physical contact! Autistic people can be hyper sensitive to touch, so being all touchy-freely can be really, really horrible. Unless you know its OK, don't do it.
3. Stop reading things into what we say that aren't there. Autistic people are generally pretty straightforward and it's not necessarily to ascribe hidden meanings and implication to our words. #autism #autistic
4. Stop viewing autism as a 'tragedy' or a 'loss'. Autistic people are born autistic and, given support, can live very happy, full lives. We're not doomed! Be that support.
5. Stop accusing us of faking it. You almost certainly don't know enough about autism to have a leg to stand on, and there's no benefit in 'pretending' to be autistic. Autism is pretty common, actually, and all demographics can be #autistic.
6. Don't assume we're antisocial or wish to be permanently alone. Many autistic people can be very social and outgoing, though most of us need to recharge more frequently. You can be an extroverted #autistic person.
7. Offer us accommodations if you are in a position of power - a teacher, employer, government etc. Autism is a disability and as such we deserve access to various accommodations that will massively improve our lives (including the other things on this list).
8. Read up on autism - follow loads on twitter, read blogs, books and research. Find out how autism intersects with every other demographic and the unique challenges of being an intersectional autistic.
9. Understand that we may struggle with prioritising, planning, memory etc - 'executive function'. Don't judge us too harshly if we seem forgetful or a bit disorganised. #autism #autistic
10. Support autistic people and don't expect them to work for free. Too many times I hear from autistic people who are being asked to work for nothing - give talks, write books, share expertise. It's no good, especially considering we're often pretty poor to begin with. #autism
Speaking of which, I'll leave this here. Times are tight for everyone so forgive me! Ko-fi.com/petewharmby
Fellow autistic people, please feel free to add your own too - I've only done 10 and there's so much more to say.
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