Challenge
Share your experiences with autism.
April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. The big thing about autism is that not many people truly understand what it’s like to have it, and sometimes it can be frustrating when people assume the worst about you when they’re unaware that you have autism, this coming from personal experience as an autistic man myself. So for this challenge I would like all of us to come together and share our personal experiences with autism, whether you are on the autism spectrum yourself or you know a family member or friend that is of the spectrum. When did you learn about the diagnosis? What struggles have you encountered? How did you cope? Has any family or friends been able to help? What end of the spectrum are you/they in? Another thing about autism is that people with autism usually tend to have special interests, so share those special interests with everyone here. Maybe they’re really cool. I understand that this may be a difficult subject to write about, trust me I know from personal experience, but I believe that this can help spread awareness here on Prose, and it will help bring us together as a community. If there are some that feel that this is too personal and do not wish to join, that's alright. I completely understand. You are not being forced to partake, it is your choice. Fill free to tag me and as many people on Prose as you wish if you're willing to enter, that way we can help us understand what autism is really about. Thank you.
Best Friends
Since fourth grade, my best friend has been a girl with not one, not two, but THREE autistic siblings, and while she doesn't have this, I've seen people treat her and her family like they're idiots. I've seen people talk to them with meanness disguised behind a false, cheery, high-pitched voice. And I don't understand. These people are the nicest, the kindest, the best people I know. They aren't idiots. They can draw, they can love. I've seen them enjoy the same things I do. So the world needs to redefine autism. Because it's not a disability. It's a gift. And just like any other gift, most people don't understand it, and people fear what they don't understand.
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