Autism Acceptance Month Statement

For those who don't know, Autism Acceptance Month is a month-long observance that focuses on supporting people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Originally, it was called "Autism Awareness Month," but it later proved to be not effective at improving the lives of individuals on the spectrum. Why? It's because awareness "is knowing that someone has autism...[but acceptance] is when you include [them] in your activities" (USA Today). In other words, accepting a person as they are grants them permission to be themselves without making them experience feelings of shame or anxiety. That applies to both neurodivergent individuals and neurotypicals.

In all honesty, I don't know if I ever told y'all that I have Asperger's Syndrome. If I did, I just refreshed y'all's memory. If I didn't, consider this journal entry an interesting fact about myself. (Yes, I'm aware that 'Asperger's Syndrome' is no longer an official diagnosis and has been a retired term since 2013. It's something I still use because my family always uses it and 'autism' interchangably.)

As an individual on the autism spectrum, I have my strengths and limitations. I also have nothing to be ashamed of because I accept said neurological condition as a part of me. It allows me to be myself and share my perspective of the things I see and hear about. When I reveal something like this to a friend or someone I don't know very well, it's my way of saying, "I trust you." Not only am I sharing an important aspect about myself, but I'm also giving that person an opportunity to accept me as an individual. (With friends, I can only hope they don't change their opinion about me.)

If I can think of the most frustrating part about being on the spectrum, it would be the lack of acceptance and not having my voice heard. The reason why I say that is because society generally focuses more on what individuals with autism can't do. As a result, I'd deal with the seemingly never-ending difficulty of promoting myself to other people.

Well, I'm writing this journal entry, right?

If society wants to know me as an Aspie, here's what they're going to know.

I, Leah/imaginarytoon1:

• Graduated college with a bachelor's degree in English

• Work as a retail associate but have dreams of becoming an author

• Have skills that include attention to detail and organization

• Enjoy reading, drawing, and writing

Source Used:

Moya, Maria Jimenez. "Autism Acceptance Month is underway. Here's why the name is important." USA Today, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/04/02/autism-acceptance-month-name-change/7243001001/.