Finding my place in this Divisive Autism Community

*Disclaimer: This was originally posted on Facebook in November of 2018. A lot of this still holds up in my wishes for the autism community to embrace the groups within. My thoughts on Neurodiversity changed during 2019 where it is just seeing the positive side of autism and that is all. Taking in both good and bad. Nothing more and nothing else. I have to thank Jeremy Farrell for this wonderful definition. Lastly, I wanted to get this out there for autism month 2020.*

I think I figured out my stance in regards of autism. I searched for a answer of my question "What is autism?" for years now. I noticed the divisive issues within the autism community right away. The fight between Neurodiversity and the medical group. The fight between seeing the disability as a natural human variation and treating autism itself. Given my nature of being a outsider, it was hard to come up with a answer. Especially being someone with ASD myself and for a while now, had conflicting thoughts on the matter. I am a type that thinks very differently, then anyone else in my community. I am neither pro Neurodiversity or medical group. What helps is me being in a Disability Specialist student in school, I learned as I took more courses and attended so many events. After getting to know so many perspectives in the ABA crowd, Autism Speaks, nonprofits, agencies, teachers, and so on. I figured out my answer of sorts for this question and in return, found my place in this community.

There really is not just one version of autism. There are so many different types out there and the needs are so different. I made a conclusion that looking at it individually is possibly the best thing a person can do. Making the path customizable in whatever direction is possible. If it is on vocational needs, good. If it is a college path, that's also good. Hell, my path was completely different. I originally went for cooking, but here I am now in the human service field. I now know the pitfalls that most people fall into during school. The quality of the education, the staff, being taught the wrong things that does not add up to the big picture, parent's involvement, and so on. Being a job coach in the school system taught me that it can be intense teaching to an individual. There are many aspects that could go wrong and times, we may mistakenly encourage stuff like prompt-dependency into our folks. It is such a guessing game that it’s no wonder why the school agenda can be mixed up. Because of the possibility of special interests(hobbies like Thomas trains/Disney films) being used to engage someone with ASD to connect to the world, the education path should be customizable. For the inclusion aspect, if it works, then it does. If not, look for a different method. Sometimes, schools cannot help empower someone with ASD. If a special education school or even home schooled is required, then that is a option too and should not be discouraged. As a good friend told me, there are more then one way to succeed in this world. 

Individuality also applies for the argument between Neurodiversity and the medical groups. If someone believes in that philosophy, that is fine. If someone wants to be in the medical group, that is fine too. My only thing to note is not be a jerk to others and/or limit people on their choices. If someone needs a potentially safe treatment and/or therapies to function in society better, they should have a right to do so. My note to the treatment crowd to consider is just do not overlook your child/teen/young adult with ASD in search of a treatment. They need you everyday to make them into hardworking individuals. There is always a reason for parents to get involved and for god sake, research each treatment and make sure it is legit. Generally, we want people to forge their own path in life. That has been my issue with Neurodiversity, as that group is seen mostly on the higher functioning side and often skips the dark side of autism. I agree that accommodations are needed to help our folks and their general ideals, but you have to be very careful with the pride aspect. Not everyone thinks like that and you risk turning people away from your cause. I would have believed in the cause of Neurodiversity causes, years ago without knowing it too well. When I think about now, I think back to my experiences and realizing my autism's dark aspects. Having to deal with not being aware of my lack of motivation back in my past, until the time I turned 21. Being hold back on certain subjects in school and life milestones. Having to realize that this is all my fault and the years spent making amends for my mistakes. It is something I never want people to go through. Despite everything, I am not forcing anyone to reject Neurodiversity. Whenever you believe it or not, it is up to you. Just know that this is much more gray area issue, then it being a black and white issue. There are so many grim outcomes in post-secondary schooling and employment for young adults that should never be ignored. Stuff like 38% of young adults are disconnected from work and school after high school(National Autism Indicators Report: Transition into Young Adulthood 2015) should make headlines on the amount of work that needs to be done, especially the statistics for employment. Last thing I would love to see less of is the concept of autism/aspie supremacy. It is so embarrassing to see that in the community and I just going to say it. Folks with ASD are not so different to other people. We all feel stuff, think, eat, etc. Even the noticeable special interests are not so different to anyone else. So throw that concept out the window! 

This article may not change everything, but I want you to start thinking about all of these aspects. Start asking yourself the tough questions and brainstorm what could be done to ensure a future generation will have a better outcome. Ask hard questions like ASD and driving, inclusion, involvement of government, medicaid, and outcomes for nonverbal individuals. If no one else wants to answer these, someone has to take action, while everyone is doing whatever. Everyone can agree that we want to improve the lives of many individuals with ASD and their families. That's my goal and I intend to look the opposite direction, then most self-advocates and see if there's a way to answer these hard questions. Plus I was never really a type to be in any group, too restricting. Plus I live by this philosophy and intend to see it through to the end; “A future is not given to you. It is something you must take for yourself.”( NieR:Automata)