A day to embrace and promote acceptance, understanding, and appreciation of neurodiversity. That is - or at least it should be - Autistic Pride Day, celebrated every year, on 18 June.

Created by the advocacy group Aspies For Freedom in 2005, Autistic Pride Day aims to change the perception of autism from a disorder to a natural variation of human diversity. The idea is to encourage autistic people to take pride in their identity and to promote greater understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity.

Despite advances in autism awareness (the celebration of Autism Pride Day is proof of this), autistic people continue to face significant stigma that profoundly affects their lives.

A study published by Sage Journals revealed that the majority of survey participants (79%) expressed that autistic adults need to receive support to manage stigma, highlighting the negative effects of prejudice on mental health. In their conclusions, the authors showed some concern about the notion that stigma is normal and that the burden of eliminating stigma falls on autistic people, rather than on society.

The prejudice surrounding autism stems from widespread misconceptions and stereotypes. Autistic people are often unfairly labeled as socially inept, incapable, or even dangerous, misconceptions that contribute to their social exclusion.

Social stigma is expressed in negative attitudes and behaviors of others, based on misunderstandings about autism, leading to social exclusion and discrimination. Unfortunately, autistic people internalize social prejudices, which can lead to feelings of shame and low self-esteem. There are also systemic barriers and discriminatory practices within institutions and policies that prevent autistic people from accessing necessary resources and opportunities.

Suspicion of socializing with them, fear, and, in the most painful cases, even ‘humor’ at the expense of their condition are still present in society.  It is urgent to fight against stigma and to promote the acceptance of autism. We need to overcome myths and understand that variations in brain functioning, including autism, are a natural and valuable part of human diversity.

Autistic Pride Day is a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing neurodiversity and challenging the stigma associated with autism. By promoting education, self-advocacy, inclusive policies, and positive representation, we can create a society that values and supports autistic individuals. 

Read also: Article: 'Empowering Step': Gopika Kapoor on employing and retaining autistic talent — People Matters Global

What we talk about when we say autism (and what we do not)

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a complex developmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world.

The term ‘spectrum’ reflects the wide variation of challenges and strengths that each individual with autism possesses. Here are some key aspects of what autism is:

1. Neurological difference

Autism is a neurological difference that influences the way people perceive and interact with their environment. It is not a disease or illness, but a variation in brain functioning.

2. Communication and social interaction

People with autism often have difficulties in communication and social interaction. This may include difficulties understanding social cues, conversing, and building relationships. However, these difficulties vary greatly from person to person.

3. Repetitive behaviors and restricted interests

Individuals with autism may engage in repetitive behaviors, such as hand-waving or rocking, and may have intense interests in specific topics. These are often ways of managing sensory input or stress.

4. Sensory sensitivities

Many autistic individuals experience increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as lights, sounds, textures or smells. These sensory sensitivities can affect their daily life and interactions.

5. Strengths and abilities

Autistic individuals often possess unique strengths and abilities, such as exceptional attention to detail, strong memory capacity, and expertise in specific areas of interest. These strengths contribute to the diversity of the autistic spectrum.

What autism is not

Despite growing awareness, many misconceptions about autism persist. Here are some common myths and their clarifications:

1. Autism is not a mental illness

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, not a mental illness. Although autistic individuals may have co-occurring mental disorders, such as anxiety or depression, autism itself is not a psychiatric disorder.

2. Autism is not caused by parenting

Autism is not caused by parenting styles or environmental factors. It has a strong genetic basis, although the exact causes are still being studied. Blaming parents for their children's autism is wrong and harmful.

3. Autism is not a lack of empathy

The myth that autistic people lack empathy is unfounded. Many autistic people feel empathy deeply but may express it differently or have difficulty interpreting the emotions of others in a typical way. Understanding and expressing emotions may be different, but it does not mean a lack of caring or empathy.

4. Autism is not the same for everyone

Autism is a spectrum, which means that it presents differently in each person. There is no single description of autism. Some individuals may need significant support, while others can live independently and excel in their fields.

5. There is no cure for autism

Autism is a fundamental aspect of a person's identity. Autistic advocates oppose efforts to ‘cure’ or ‘normalize’ autistic behaviors. The focus should be on acceptance, support, and adaptation, rather than trying to change who autistic people are.

To create a more inclusive society, it is essential to address the prejudices that autistic people face and to promote acceptance and understanding. 

Here are several strategies to promote autism acceptance:

Promote truthful information: Launch campaigns that provide factual information about autism, emphasizing the strengths, abilities and potential of autistic people. Dispel myths and challenge stereotypes that contribute to negative perceptions.

Share personal stories: Encourage autistic people to share their experiences and views. Personal stories humanize autism and break down stereotypes, fostering empathy and understanding.

Community involvement: Organise workshops, seminars and community events that facilitate dialogue and education about autism. Engage community leaders, educators and employers to create more inclusive environments.

Encourage self-advocacy: Help autistic people advocate for their rights and needs. Self-advocacy can challenge misconceptions and foster a sense of autonomy and empowerment.

Create platforms for voices: Provide platforms for autistic people to speak out about their experiences, both within and outside the autistic community. Amplify their voices in the media, policy debates and public forums.

Implement anti-discrimination policies: in the workplace, schools and health care settings. Ensure equal opportunities for autistic people to succeed.

Promote inclusive education: Adopt inclusive practices in schools to support the learning and development of autistic students. Provide the necessary adaptations and resources to foster a supportive learning environment.

Accessible services: Ensure that services and supports are accessible to autistic people, addressing their specific needs. This includes health care, employment and social services.

Create support networks: Establish peer groups for autistic people and their families. These networks provide a space for sharing experiences, resources and mutual support.

Provide mental health support: Offer services tailored to the needs of autistic people. Address the impact of stigma on mental health and promote wellbeing and resilience.

Diverse portrayals: Advocate for diverse and accurate portrayals of autistic people in the media. Highlight their strengths, achievements and contributions to society.

Challenging stereotypes: Work with the media to challenge stereotypes and promote positive narratives about autism. Encourage the creation of content that reflects the true diversity of the autistic community.

Read also: Article: Neurodiversity can make the world work better — People Matters Global