🌍 International Autism Awareness Day – 10 Things from Autistics

📅 This day is an important reminder of a whole world of abilities, creativity, and human diversity.

Over the years, we have made significant progress in our understanding of autism – from research-based and tailored treatment approaches to recognition and inclusion in education, work, and society as a whole.

🤝 Today, people understand the importance of listening to, involving, and consulting with autistics, recognizing the person and not autism as a syndrome or phenomenon.

✨ Here are ten interesting points from autistics: (Of course, not everything is necessarily true for everyone).

1. 💬 Autistic is not a curse word, and there is no reason to avoid using it.

   
   

2. 🌀 Every autistic person is different – everyone has their own personality, temperament, interests, and unique sensory experience throughout the day.

   
   

3. 🔍 Listen to us, share your research and ways of thinking. Often, what appears as a difficulty is simply a different way of thinking than usual.

   
   

4. 👁️‍🗨️ Autistics often have additional senses, such as a sense of identifying other autistics – Autiscope.

   
   

5. 🗣️ Instead of saying to an autistic person, "You need to behave or speak like this," it's better to say, "Usually, in society, it's common to act like this."

   
   

6. 🚫 Do not treat autistic adults, teenagers, and children like toddlers – it's insulting.

   
   

7. 🙇‍♂️ Speak to the autistic person. To the individual. Not to the assistant or parent. To them.

   
   

8. ⏳ Sometimes, processing information takes time. Keep this in mind and be patient. Processing may involve hand flapping, jumping, rocking, and more.

   
   

9. 🌈 Instead of demanding that the autistic person adapt, try to adapt the environment to them – lighting, smell, colors, and more.

   
   

10. 🗣️ A quote from a pair of adult twins, one autistic and the other not:

The autistic twin: "Being autistic doesn't mean I should be allowed to do whatever I want."

The neurotypical twin: "People often treat autistics as if they're not human. They need to be accepted for their uniqueness exactly as they are."

🎯 Our vision for the future is clear: A world where every autistic person can fulfill their potential, integrate, and succeed in any field they choose. A world that embraces, listens, and understands.

🔍 This progress depends on all of us – parents, professionals, therapists, researchers, and everyone who believes in equal opportunities and true acceptance.

💙 On Autism Awareness Day, let's continue to enlighten, understand, and take action. Everyone deserves a fair chance to flourish. 🌼

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