You might walk into Foot Locker or Hollister in the mall to do routine wardrobe updating. Minding your own business, until you’re not. You hear a rather strange noise being emitted from someone. There is a possibility they might suffer Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but that’s not what flows through everyone’s mind. Or it might, but you don’t care about that, you’re just trying to shop. Many people today are rather judgmental than open and accepting, which needs to change.
There’s this tendency of stopping and staring, rather than moving on with yourself. The caretakers have it handled, and there’s nothing that you can do but cause embarrassment by staring and talking down. It’s impeccable how often I see piercing eyes judging another human being for something they cannot control, but can only work on with time and caring people.
It is also insane how we generalize autism to specifically children, when in fact those children do age just like any other child. Reading Stevenson et. al on Infantilizing Autism, many facts and statistics were revealed on the number of ways that Autism Organizations infantilize the disorder. On page 2, authors stated, “In 2008, the most prominent autism charity, Autism Speaks, reported on its website an estimate of the number of “autistic people.” That estimate was identical to their estimate of the number of “autistic children,” thereby denying the existence of any autistic adults.” In my opinion, that’s almost dehumanizing.
Overall, we just need to do better with our attitudes and opinions to neurodivergent beings. They are just as human as we are, and making this change would invite those into a safe space rather than excluding.
Unruly Bodies 
Dearest MsStackss,
Your blog post, “Change Your Attitude,” was insightful commentary on societal attitudes towards neurodiversity, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Your observation about people’s reactions in public spaces like Foot Locker or Hollister highlights a prevalent issue in our society: the judgment and misunderstanding of neurodivergent individuals.
Your point about the general public’s tendency to stop and stare, rather than moving on, resonates deeply with me. It reflects a broader societal problem where people often react to what they don’t understand with judgment instead of empathy. The example you cited about how caretakers are often more equipped to handle situations than bystanders is an important reminder that our reactions can impact those around us, sometimes negatively.
The reference to Stevenson et al.’s “Infantilizing Autism” was particularly striking. It underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of ASD that acknowledges autistic individuals throughout their lifespan, not just in childhood. The fact that prominent organizations have historically overlooked autistic adults is indeed concerning and does seem to contribute to a form of dehumanization, as you aptly put it.
Your call for a change in attitude and opinion towards neurodivergent individuals is a powerful one. It’s a reminder that acceptance and understanding should be the cornerstones of our interaction with all individuals, regardless of their neurological makeup. Creating a safe and inclusive space for neurodivergent people is not just beneficial for them but enriches our society as a whole.
In my own experience, I have witnessed similar scenarios where neurodivergent individuals are misunderstood or excluded. These experiences have taught me the importance of educating oneself and others about neurodiversity and advocating for inclusive practices in all areas of life.
In conclusion, your blog post is a compelling call to action for all of us to be more aware and accepting of neurodiversity. It’s a reminder that change begins with each one of us, in our daily attitudes and interactions. Thank you for sharing your insights and for sparking this important conversation.
Much Gratitude,
Nicole
I completely agree. The generalization of Autism is harming and not doing any good to the community. The statistics are extremely skewed and need to be update to an extent of including an array of different types of individuals (like adults) and not just children. It’s so simple to mind your own business instead of judging others. I think it’s important to also educate the uneducated of neurodivergence (especially ASD) in order to push for change.
You are absolutely correct. There is so much judgment towards people who are different, it makes life harder for everyone. You only have to make one social mistake: laugh too loud in a movie theater, bounce your leg too hard while sitting at a restaurant, or cry somewhere a little bit too public, and suddenly the judgment kicks in from the people around you. No one is hurt by these things, and yet like with your example of someone who is autistic making noise at a mall, people feel the need to judge or say something, rather than just going on with their life. Acceptance of people who fall outside the norm helps everyone.