Everyone’s Accepting of Autism—Until They’re Not
Everyone’s accepting of autism until you see my boy on the floor, mid-meltdown, and blame my parenting.
The whispers and the stares as you walked past were not unnoticed, but my child needed me more than you needed my reaction.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until his stimming doesn’t quite fit in your little box and you feel like he’s too old to behave that way.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until you get annoyed that we cannot attend an event because it is not suited for our special needs child.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until more children are being diagnosed, and suddenly the words that leave your mouth are that autism wasn’t around years ago, and you think it’s all about the money and gentle parenting
—not the disability that it actually is.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until we fight to give him every opportunity he deserves—basic accommodations to make sure he can thrive—and suddenly the inconvenience is too much and the support disappears.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until the communication isn’t verbal, and it takes a bit more time and effort to see what my child needs or wants.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until you find out he struggles to share, and loud noises trigger him into aggression.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until you see that he always has headphones on and YouTube on his phone, then you judge what kind of mother I am and tell me he needs to get outside more.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until he ignores you and would rather be alone, causing you to comment on how rude he is.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until you see his dinner and decide that instead of offering him healthy foods, I chose the easy route.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until he doesn’t fit the stereotypes you have seen on the TV or the friend of a friend’s child who has autism and has been potty-trained for years.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until his sensory seeking means he’s climbing on the sofa and jumping off the bed.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until you find out that he has medication to sleep, and suddenly we have joined a list of parents that can’t be bothered to put in place an actual bedtime.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until my autistic child displays autistic behaviours.
Everyone’s accepting of autism until…
There shouldn’t be an “until.”
Be better. Be accepting. Be inclusive. Be accommodating. Be non-judgmental. Be respectful. Be unapologetic. Be understanding. Be proud. Be his voice.
