I have family, friends and the children of family and friends that have been diagnosed with being on the autistic spectrum. # The awareness of this month should NOT be on individuals who are diagnosed as being on the spectrum. # The awareness should be focused on how our world FORCES those on the spectrum to either adhere to societal norms or be considered "difficult" or "unable to function." # People on the spectrum are people. They have feelings. They interact with the world. Just not in the same pathways. # If we can find ways to open our definitions and abilities of interaction, then we won't need to stigmatize those on the spectrum. # Example: "Billy has difficulty making eye contact and friends. He has issues communicating" makes it sound like Billy has has the burden of adhering to how many of us communicate. He is deficient. # But what if we said, "Billy wants to make friends but he needs to approach people in a different way. He communicates best through building blocks. Can you ask Billy how he builds his blocks? " Now communication is on everyone. Billy isn't deficient, he's different. And it's ok to be different. We teach those interacting with Billy how to do so and we teach Billy how to be approached with his blocks. # #autism #autismawareness #autisticspectrum #autismisnttheproblem #howwetreatitis
