With it being Mental Health Awareness Month nationally, my day program for their weekly newsletter we were asked to give our opinion on the changes of stigma. While it has good and bad points, the autism community has its points also.
I have came across several disturbing points of misconception of Autism.
1. Family Guy mocking an autistic being unable to verbally communicate.
I’ve been a Family Guy fan since the first season almost twenty years ago and I do admit they push the boundaries alot of the time. It’s been a hotbed of debate. They were off a few years after season 3 but returned years later. The line continued to be pushed and I know if you don’t like it don’t watch it. That is a belief that I value dearly. However, when autistics are generalized, it hurts.
I recently came across a Facebook Watch video of dark special needs jokes of Family Guy. I thought I would have an look as Peter has memory clips he says that he was scared like the time he Sat next to the autistic person in the doctors office. The clip shows the autistic vocally stimming.
He was scared. I was done.
I admit I get scared sometimes about autistics that stim loudly or how to interact with them. I know that they can’t hurt me and they just want to get their point across just as much as I do. However, when you generalize the autistic community in those few seconds, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I know, I knew what I was getting into, but it just is a gross misrepresentation of the community. I do recall an early episode where his doctor diagnoses him as the R word, now a word no longer used (thank God) Nonetheless, it’s appalling because there so ones that are classified as such and are amazing people, regardless of their ability. Which moves us into the next misconception.
2. Being known as the R word or Developentally Disabled.
The R word is one I absolutely can’t stand. Prior to 2008 it was known as that. Those given that classification and some still live and endured the agony of being called it, being diagnosed it. Until a few decades ago the media used it like a household name, its just wrong and when I hear that word. It makes me ill.
Autism is a neurological condition, not specifically a physical or mental disability. Nonetheless, it’s classified in the DSM under the Developental disorders. Yes it can be coupled with other Developmental disabilities, but with the coupling as one Autism spectrum disorder, it’s misconceived as a development defect, which is not true for all autistics.A spectrum is just that. It’s a wide variety of symptoms and flaws. Myself I am proud of my Aspergers and fortunate enough to have the ability to inherit the diagnosis, the new diagnosis does a huge disservice to autistics that could have been diagnosed with Aspergers after it was coupled. Yes he was discounted for his works and beliefs and other information, it opened a door to a community for twenty years that made us feel better. We are not inferior to levels of ability, however we have a multitude of issues some similar and some not to the autistic community as a whole. It just doesn’t make sense.
In many U.S. States and territories funding streams for autism are placed under the Developentally Disability arm of human services, again another disservice to the autism community because I personally feel with those of all ages receiving diagnoses services will grow and need to be more centralized. We shouldn’t be looked as less than others in any case we should be valued members of the community.
3. The belief that all autistics are heterosexual.
Recently, I read a blog from a prominent autistic that stated that one of the nations leading autism advocacy groups vehemently denies that 70% of autistics are not heterosexual. Now I know this will spark debate but I think it has to be acknowledged. Its the reason why many autistics debate and sometimes protest against the prominent advocacy organizations. It’s not sunshine and rainbows (for them), it’s not the picture they want to portray the picture perfect autistic. Until just this year, one of the largest organizations accepted that autistics don’t grow out of it and started to feature adults in campaigns. They are believers in ABA (think what you want) which has it’s pros and cons.
You simply can’t be forced to identify yourself as something you hate being or trying to block something you really like because you are brainwashed to think one way but you absolutely feel the polar opposite. If we give autistics and others the freedom who they want to be, they should be allowed to so while being educated properly and in their terms what is appropriate and what isn’t. Sexual education, while essentially non existent in the special education realm needs to be taught or.advocated for,.again in their terms they they can understand..They have rights we should honor their wishes. Yes it has a great deal of issues but there’s helps and resources there.
4. The Tik Tok Autistic Challenge
Yesterday I saw a autistic professional speaker highlight this and I’m appalled.He shares my sentiment that it seriously sends the wrong message to youth that it’s ok for mocking the autistic community. We are autistics that are valued members of the community not to be mocked on the latest social media marketing strategy. It needs to stop and moderation must be taken to the fullest extent permitted.
Dustin's Dynasty 