Last updated on November 26, 2023
April is autism something-or-other month, depending on whom you ask. It’s all about “acceptance” or “awareness” or “diversity” or “celebration” or “pride” — and I’m sure a few other concepts.
To this, I respond with a busy, preoccupied, “Whatever.”
I get that people want to find support, inspiration, connections, and resources. I’m all for helping people, especially autistic teens and adults, find ways to achieve all they can. If autism month helps people find those supports, great.
But, what I dislike is the absurdity of the news media during this annual panic-feeding month. Put the risks in context:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/30/opinion/sunday/how-to-think-about-the-risk-of-autism.html
You want to know what caused my autistic traits? Birth trauma. Period. And sure enough, that’s number two on the list of risk factors, right beneath an autistic twin. But, easy explanations aren’t what drive autism month news coverage.
In past years, I’ve been interviewed by major media outlets and my answers about causes of autism and the statistical research are omitted. What reporters want to know is how horrible my life has been and if I blame vaccines, foods, toxins, or some other factor.
Nope. The doctor was careless. My brain was shaken (or stirred), and I have plenty of other physical reminders that my arrival was… eventful. I don’t blame anyone, don’t march, don’t demand an investigation, don’t get all worked up about things I cannot change from the past. The doctor is gone, but birth was, is, and likely long will be a dangerous event with risks.
Don’t I want to take pride in or celebrate my neurological differences? Nope.
Don’t I want more awareness? Nope. There’s plenty, as evidenced by all the ribbons, puzzle pieces, and other symbols I see on cars in parking lots. Trust me, people have heard of autism. I hear the Autism Speaks commercials twice an hour thanks to my favorite streaming radio station.
Don’t I want to be accepted? Not really. That’s like being tolerated.
I like where I work, now. Among mathematicians, computer programmers, engineers, and my other colleagues, I’m perfectly normal. I’m accepted by the people I respect, and that’s all I need. Actually, it isn’t acceptance that I value… it is their respect. I am respected, and that’s good.
You want or need an autism month, that’s okay with me. And if that’s how you found my blog, Facebook page, or website, that’s okay, too.
Autism is a daily reality, not limited to a month or year.
Plus, I’m really busy in April because it is the last full month of my school year. I need to focus on so many things this month that there’s little room for anything autism-specific.