Living with Autism – We Are Not the Problem the World Wants Us to Be

Long considered a debilitating condition for children, with a poor life prognosis, the understanding we have of Autism has changed drastically in the past decade. 

Despite current narratives around there being an “Autism pandemic” and that being Autistic is somehow concurrent with being useless, a drain on society, or some hugely embarrassing social faux pas, there is nothing “scary” about being Autistic.  

We just think differently. 

While most of the world thinks in big pictures – Autists think in details. We see the tiny puzzle pieces first and have to gather them together to make the big picture. 

While most of the world sails blissfully through life unaware of everything going on around them – Autists see and feel life bone deep. Our senses are much more in tune with the world around us, which at times can be overwhelming and cause meltdowns or shutdowns. 

And while most of the world gets upset at so-called “narrow thinking” – Autists see it as being fully focused on and involved in something that brings us joy. A profound sense of diving deeply into an interest or topic that we see/feel/sense on deep levels and want to shar. 

Comparing the Medical Model with Lived Experience of Being Autistic 

Autism has always seemed to get a bad rap. 

It’s probably because the first studies were done on a very small, select part of the population – primarily young white males, from well to do or at least middling backgrounds, that had severe presentations of “symptoms”. And the prevailing idea behind “treatment” and “care” over the years has been focused on “curing” the Autism from these young minds. 

But newer research has shown that Autism isn’t something to be cured. It is merely a different way a human brain can be wired. One that, somewhere along the way, lost the filter that most other people take for granted. 

So what do we mean when we say lived experience differs from the medical model we all know and hate? 

Well, it means that: 

• Stimming, lack of eye contact, and difficulty communicating are all ways we use to handle large inputs of data and other sensory signals. Medical professionals see this as a lack of ability or will to “act normal”; we say that we are acting normally, we just need a way to calm our emotions and focus when we are in certain social situations. It doesn’t denote a lack of interest or understanding – on the contrary, this is a sign we are trying to focus and stay in the moment, despite all of the other stimuli our brains are handling at the same time 

• Hyper fixations or “monotropism” are signs that our brains are fully engaged, firing faster than we can keep up and fully involved with intaking and processing information. Medical professionals say that this focus and exclusion is bad, that it prevents rapid task switching and hinders someone’s ability to “perform” certain tasks or employment. But not every job, every task, or even every person needs to switch attention at the drop of a hat. If an artist loses focus or a jeweler flits from piece to piece, the finished creation will look sloppy and half finished. Let them focus 

• Literal or rigid thinking just means we take things at face value, in the tone and method they are delivered. Medical professionals seem to see this as a deficit in that it “limits” thinking and behavior. The truth is that it cuts out the fluff and bypasses the innuendo inherent in much of society. When you take things literally, you don’t talk around subjects – you say what you mean and mean what you say 

The current narrative surrounding Autism is very grim. It paints Autists as limited, lacking empathy and understanding, and being borderline alien and dangerous. 

The truth is much simpler – we are not alien, other, or some kind of “changeling”. Our brains are wired to intake and interpret data differently, more cleanly. We see the truth of the matter and aren’t afraid to utter it. 

That does not make us “other”; it makes us truthseekers, pattern chasers, and problem solvers in ways “normal” people have forgotten (or never knew how) to be. 

Living Life Autistically 

The world of medicine will have you believe that living with Autism is a struggle. You won’t fit in, you won’t be accepted, and there will be no mercy shown for your tics and weirdnesses. 

But that’s not true. And it’s not true that the world can’t, and isn’t already, learning to adapt. 

More and more people are standing up and sharing their stories. Showing the world what it is to live as an Autist in this modern era. And through them we are finding ways to co-exist. 

Accommodations can be made for sensory sensitivities. Lights can be dimmed or switched from harsh, bright white to softer yellows. Busy places can have quiet hours. Clothing has become more comfortable and easier to find options for different functions.  

Even workplaces can easily accommodate Autistic employees. It’s not hard to send a meeting overview beforehand, or a recap after the meeting is done. And sending instructions via email is better for everyone – no more confusion about who remembered what, or who was supposed to do what next. 

It’s Time to Reframe the Narrative Around Autism 

All this means that it is time, past time, to stop fearmongering about Autism. 

There is nothing scary about the kid obsessed with trains or clocks. They would make an amazing trainyard mechanic. They’re in-depth knowledge and focus means any train they touch would be perfect, or near to, treated as a deeply loved friend and cared for like a priceless relic. 

That weird girl that hums? She might never take the stage and sing in front of thousands. But does she really have to, if she can record herself and post it on YouTube, sharing her voice and talent with millions? 

And what about that old guy that knows everything about law? He might be a little awkward and stumble over words, but he would be an amazing teacher for new attorneys and paralegals. Set him up as an office mentor and watch your productivity soar. 

For every “deficit” Autists have been told we have, there are success stories of an Autist that has “overcome” them. 

They haven’t overcome. They have found a way to make their brain work for them. 

It’s what we should all wish for and work toward for ourselves. 

Putting the Pieces Together to see the Big Picture 

So if you’ve ever wondered why you just don’t get “the joke”, why others seem to avoid you at parties, or why your employer just won’t understand why things need to be a certain way for you to function – you’re not alone. 

There are hundreds of thousands of others out there with you. 

Struggling to get by, because modern society has crippled us. Not because we are disabled, necessarily; but because society has deemed us so, solely because we haven’t been allowed to fit in. 

When society finally learns the value we can bring with just a few minor tweaks to the way things are, the narrative will finally change. 

But by that point, Autists will have already changed the way society views them. Because we are strong, resilient, and adaptable. We are innovators, creators, and thinkers outside the box. 

And you need us more than you think you do.