One huge issue I have when it comes to raising awareness about autism is that when non-autistics teach about it, they often tend to focus on the social issues over everything else.
Like when someone is deemed to be “high functioning” (I don’t like using that term), people are led to think that it means that the person is just a “quirky, ahy socially awkward person who struggles to interact”. Very rarely are they aware of the sensory issues such as noise or light sensitivity. And few seem to be aware that we can have shutdowns and meltdowns.
I know there’s a long way to go when it comes to autism awareness, but people do need to learn and be aware that it’s a lot more than just the social issues we struggle with
real issues of being low function erase too, just focus on effects other ppl.
which, isnot problem to say effects on other ppl, but solution to “she scream at anything we try say” isnot punish her til she “learn stop scream” – it’s figure out why she scream & try solve. maybe she unable understand your words, maybe your voices too loud.
& solution to “they stick anything in mouth!” isnot prevent from have anything atall – even things not danger, just “weird” – it’s find mouth-safe toys & allow more sensory play. maybe even find smth prefer better than mouth stims, if just let have chance!
issues being ignore isnot just high function thing, it just look diffrent. they ignore our issues all same, put focus on how much annoys them, & not our distress.
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ifesbob 