Why Learn About Autism?

Good question. Why bother learning about autism? If you’re not autistic, it doesn’t really affect you, does it? Well, yes it probably does, although you may not realise it. With estimates of the prevalence of autism varying between 1 in a 100 to 1 in every 36 you almost certainly are interacting with autistic people on a fairly regular basis, whether you are aware of it or not. And there are some shocking statistics about the treatment of autistic people in our society today:

Autistic people are more likely to be mistreated by their peers.

Autistic people are more likely to suffer from depression.

Autistic people are eight times more likely to complete suicide than neurotypical people.

78% of autistic people are unemployed

Autistic people are more likely to suffer from PTSD, especially if they are also a member of another marginalised group- autistic women and girls, autistic people of colour, LGTBQ++

None of these things are an inherent part of being autistic. They are a consequence of struggling to thrive in a society that does not understand nor accept autism as an equal, but different way of existing.

By learning about autism, by understanding what it actually means to be autistic, preferably by listening to the voices (or non-verbal forms of communication!) of autistic people themselves, we can continue to work towards to the goal of eliminating these inequities. It is only by working together, neurotypical and neurodivergent people, that we can bridge the gaps between us.

References-

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders

https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/autistic-adults-experience-high-rates-of-negative-life-events