Spreading Autism Acceptance
World Autism Acceptance Week

Autistic people are all different. For every maths genius there is someone who struggles with maths, for every detail orientated developer, there is a creative person with no interest in programming.

 

I’d like non-autistic or neuro-typical people to understand that I’m trying my hardest to fit in. This means that language is important. I do not have autism, I’m autistic. Saying I have autism implies a lot of negative thinking, autism means my nervous system is different to yours, I’m literally wired up differently so being autistic is who I am.

 

For me, change is hard. I live my life by planning and rehearsing what I’m going to do and what I’m going to say, I also plan and rehearse what you are going to say too. In my head I’m running thousands of simulations constantly over and over again because I know I don’t handle change or surprise well.

 

So please remember that everyone is different and every time you meet someone who is autistic make time to understand the person. Just because you know someone who is autistic doesn’t mean the next neuro-diverse person will be the same.

I am married with two boys, both with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

 

Tom, is classically autistic, non-verbal and requires 24 hour care. Finlay, is in a regular mainstream school but with access to an autistic centre within the school. Tom will always need the care of us or very understanding carers, whereas Finlay will have to forge a career and mature his understanding of society and the workplace.

 

One time, I was walking through Godalming with a very tired Tom (he must have been about 7) over my shoulder. A fella barged past and Tom decided he did not like this and behind my back thumped him. I spent 5 minutes explaining autism, and the guy was great, not only apologising but wishing me well.

 

Tom, meanwhile, had gotten upset and was now protesting on the floor so I had to scoop him up – crying and wriggling – to get him in the car. A couple then challenged me as they thought I might be abducting him. Again, I tried to explain and passed them a card from the National Autistic Society which says my child is autistic, please understand. Small things like this really help.

Four members of my immediate family are on the autistic spectrum. My eldest son has ADHD, the middle one and my husband have Asperger’s, and the youngest has high functioning autism.  Things are easier now the boys are young adults, although two still live at home and I can’t see one moving out unless it’s into some form of supported living. Our days still have to be very structured, with changes discussed in advance as much as possible.

 

When it comes to the strengths autism brings to the workplace, it’s important to remember that autistic people think of things in a different way to most people, finding solutions that others would not think of. They are often very logical and persistent, making them ideal coders and help desk second line support.

 

They are just as clever as anyone else, but see things from a different perspective. They may need to break a complex situation down in order to grasp all aspects, but that can be useful in understanding the problem so that’s no bad thing. But in the workplace, keep meeting to small groups. Tolerate doodling as people on the spectrum often need to keep their hands busy while their mind concentrates.