As autistics, we are more prone to being vulnerable and as a result can be victimized. We often seek validation from others in the way of being liked and appreciated for the things we do to and for ourselves and others and as a result, being led into vulnerable situations can result in being victimized.
Recently, a young man with autism in the region was kidnapped and left in a field to die by his estranged girlfriend and seven unknown others in less than a half an hour. This again has opened my eyes to the fact to have a keen sense of communicating with others, being “street smart” and aware of falling gullible to something that is not right.
As autistics, we are literal thinkers, we often see things in black and white with little gray areas. Throughout my youth and into my adulthood, I was often told of the dangers of the outside world by parents, who as a way of showing their love wanted me to be safe and aware of the dangers of the outside world while letting me participate in the experiences of life as they too knew I needed to spread my wings outside of the confines of my own home.
Over the years, I have seen autistics becoming vulnerable to others, especially to others not genuinely known to them and at them causing them to become victimized by many means just as the aforementioned young man in my region was. While that can be the worst-case scenario in a situation, it brings the fact home that we as autistics need to be socially aware in the ever expansive world where we can be caught blindsighted to being liked and appreciated for opening ourselves up and being gullible for attention
We as autistics also want that, but as perceived in the first scene of “As We See It” we often overthink things and go to the ultimate dream. We also many times see life beyond being connected to those with capabilities of challenges because we want somewhat of a “normal” life. It is imperative to practice the skill of radical acceptance and accept things for what they are, although it never hurts to dream, we must be reasonable in what we are able to do in life in the ways we can.
Yes, autistic individuals, like all humans, want to be liked, have friends, relationships and possibly family in their lives. It must be understood the realities of the possibility of undertaking such activities and the risk involved with them. Understanding the nuances of the necessary pragmatics is an ultimate must before conceiving anything rationally. It is essential to weigh in your own piece of mind and safety when undertaking something and understanding the fact of when something does not seem right to not follow through with it, no matter how enticing it may be in making you entertained and validated.
Everyone, including those that advocate for autistics, want the ultimate happiness and dreams for those that they advocate for. They do not want to see tragic outcomes and ultimately death as a result of them being vulnerable to others to get the happiness or validation they desire. They just want them to be satisfied with their life and be safe at the the same time and like my parents still do to this day, worry about me living a safe life while having the freedoms I want and desire just like my neurotypical siblings.
Dustin's Dynasty 