Against the excessive use of ‘embracing autism’ in autistic stories

Photo by Brett Patzke on Unsplash

The word “embrace” is used a lot when people talk about autism, but this can be a problem. Saying we should “embrace” autism sounds nice, but it’s too simple. Autism is complex, and everyone with autism is different. Saying “embrace” makes it seem like accepting autism is easy and doesn’t show how much work and understanding it really takes.

First, using “embrace” suggests accepting autism is a quick, one-time thing. But really, understanding and supporting someone with autism is an ongoing effort. Autism is not all the same for everyone; people need different kinds of help and support. When we keep saying “embrace,” we miss the chance to talk about these important differences.

Also, saying “embrace” can make it seem like people with autism are just waiting for others to accept them. It puts more focus on the people doing the accepting and not enough on the people with autism themselves. What’s more important is breaking down barriers and making sure everyone is included and valued for who they are.

Besides, just saying “embrace” doesn’t deal with the big issues, like not having enough support or opportunities. We need to do more than just say nice words. We need real actions that help people with autism in ways that matter – like better access to education, jobs, and healthcare.

ASo, instead of just saying we should “embrace” autism, we need to really work on understanding it and making the world a better place for everyone with autism. Words are important, but actions are what really make a difference.