For an autistic person to navigate the world, it is nothing short of a challenge. Our brains and senses often send us into a state of panic because individuals such as myself live in a state of fear and wanting to run away from the things that make us uncomfortable when faced with challenges in our path.

It is not anyone’s fault that the world is the way it is. It is often that it is not built to be accommodating to the needs of the neurodiverse community. Autistics are the ones that are often looked down upon for the things that make us who we are. It can sometimes be hard for an autistic person to mask and when they must enter a environment that is not accommodating to their senses, this can put things into overdrive like stimming or having to protect their ears to prevent sensory overload from occurring, thus spotlighting an autistic individual being “different” because of being unable to autistically mask their expressions. 

This puts them and those around them further under the microscope and oftentimes are scrutinized for acting in a manner that is against societal norms. Even as advanced as the world is today, judgment is often passed because we do not meet the standard of what someone else may accept or understand that is entitled to us as autistic individuals and those that take care of us. 

This not only comes from other patrons in an establishment, but those in charge of managing an area or the entire establishment because an autistic person does not fit the mold or can conform to the expected behaviors of what is expected. The world has come a long way in this regard, but there is still a way to go in this regard. I see it continuously in the media where someone is shunned from an opportunity because of being autistic and having the challenges that they face.

We must do better in educating others and letting them know that we do not intend harm. We just want to have the same opportunities as they do and should be allowed such. We may need a little extra help, space and understanding in doing so, and should not be begrudged or treated differently for doing so. We in all meanings are no different than anyone else as far as a person, despite our challenges and want many of the same opportunities as our neurotypical peers.

It is not being aggressive when doing so because it is at that point that we are seen as the monster in the situation. It can be hard to remain calm when our needs are not met or we are treated differently, but when we react negatively, the latter is what is seen of us and not the part of us fighting peacefully and appropriately for what we need. Doing in that way is more than likely a way of us having our needs met in some shape or form.

Yes, the world is challenging to navigate and at times can take a lot of energy out of an autistic person. It is knowing that we as autistic people what to have the same things as others have and that even if we face challenges in navigating the world, we should be treated with the same dignity and respect as our neurodivergent peers because we are just the same as anyone else, it is the fact that oftentimes that our brains are wired and think differently and even if we may need a little more help than others, we are so worth the help and respect that we need to have in order to function in a world that is not made for us\