For far too long, I have wanted to fit in to whatever passed me at the time. Sometimes, those that loved and cared for me had wanted to make me into something that I had no interest in. Through time and self-discovery, I am learning that I am who I am and that I do not have to fit in and like everything out there just because it is out there.

The world is vast, wide and has an array of opportunities. The Internet and social media allow autistic individuals such as me to see the world on a larger scale. Scrolling on the apps or looking consciously at content online can have the neurodiverse mind wanting to like and do a million things “just because it is out there” There are many things that are good and bad and are even enticing as individuals that we may want to do, but as with anything there are pros and cons along with potential consequences with anything that is enticed out there.

Having a world at our grasp as autistic people can be quite insightful, but there are many challenges. Many autistic individuals are innocent and vulnerable to giving into demands or not being aware of the immense dangers that the simple connection provides. Many times, this can result in very consequential actions that can be irreplaceable. It is always best to air on the side of caution when wanting to extend yourself a bit. It is also important to be computer savvy and be aware of the dangers of the Internet and social media.

 Sometimes as autistic individuals, we want connection to world beyond safe space or we want to expand our mind on things that we may enjoy or make us feel more like the person that we want to be. There are many things and people out there that will make promises to you that they can make you happy, but you must remember not to fall prey to their tactics and see the reality of what is being offered to you. Yes, there are many people who are autistic or may have similar challenges to you out there, but it is important to be educated in what looks like a scam and what is not.

It may be true that autism does not have a look, but we all have an intuition of what feels right and what does not when we are looking for what we want out there in the cyber world. I encourage you to dig deep and realize what connections that others have and understand what is real versus what is not. In recent years, there have been many workshops out there that can be insightful to neurodiverse and disabled folk alike that can provide you the proper insight and education to guide you on the way to want to go in the world and what and how to share things versus what not to share with others online, or if you do, what could be the potential risks and consequences by doing so.

Sometimes having these conversations with those close to us can be difficult, that is when you find another person in real life that you can trust to express your intentions about what you desire in the world as being autistic can be quite lonely. The cyber world can be quite promising out there, but just as there are benefits, there is also danger in connecting and sharing content that may be in the sense of being private or oversharing too much about yourself.

It is important to educate yourself about things that you want to learn before you land in the decision of wanting to be your authentic self. It is more than just a Google search or that you see someone else doing it or that others may make you think that it is the thing to do without totally understanding what it all involves. There is no need to be a part of everything and as humans we have the right to say no, but there must be a concrete understanding of what something involves before you engage in such an activity.

As humans, we are all unique in nature and understanding who we are is a process of self-discovery that takes time to land at our destination in the journey we call life. The Internet and social media are valuable tools in helping you discover that process, but as autistic beings, it is important to be aware of all the dangers and risks with the things that land you where you want to land in life.