Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. Autism is so predominantly considered a childhood disability that some autism “advocates” claim that autistic adults do not even exist. Alot of person with autism are Infantilize and reason being children are not able to tell their stories and the adults/organization/media who tell the stories, tell these stories how they’re deem it necessary. Shocking fact is ” DO PEOPLE ACTUALLY AGE OUT OF AUTISM” When I hear people say autism is a child’s disorder, it is really weird.

I listened to a podcast by Lyric Rivera, an Autistic self-advocate from Texas, who shared her personal experience of being considered a child because she is “autistic”. She stated that one of the most gross experiences she had with being infantilized as an Autistic Person, specifically, was when she was traveling in an airport. She stated was asking for help on how to find her flight and needed the guy behind the counter to help her out but this person was getting very snippy and impatient, “I said, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be difficult. I am Autistic and I am struggling to hear what’s going on in this environment”. Immediately, this person stated giving her directions like a 2 year old and started treating her like a lost child. She said it felt really terrible.

The press/media today, shows mostly pictures of children with autism. because parents of autistic offspring promote children, rather than adults, as the face of autism, charities limit much of their discourse to child-based references, and the entertainment industry restricts autistic characters to mostly children. Additionally, When writing news articles about persons with disabilities, reporters historically focused on the emotional aspects of disability, utilizing belittling language (e.g., “suffers from”). Labels like “the naughty child”, “the disruptive one” or “attention seeker” is put on children with autism or any other disability or impairment because we are not all the same. Also, labeling the individual with the disorder like saying ” an autistic person”. This is really sad.

There are lots of effects/ consequences on adults with autism. Firstly because of the perception that adults do not suffer from autism makes it difficult for them to have support. We need to see more autistic adults. We need to use that phrase until it stops being weird to hear it. Infantilizing autism hurts everyone who is part of the equation. Parents, who live with perpetual feeling for their children seemingly uncertain future. Autistic kids, who grow up without being exposed to proper representation. Autistic adults who, since for some people don’t even exist, might not receive the support they require.It is time to bring all autistic people into the conversation. After all, who better to provide the story than those who have survived the judgment of society. Autistic men and women have a lot to say. The true harm comes from not listening and putting an end to segregation and discrimination that occurs up till date.