The past few years, I’ve always tried to put a lot of effort into educational/informational posts during April. As always, it gets exhausting.

There are so much negativity around autism. Society paints our existence as a tragedy- portrayed as something to be feared, focusing only on the difficult things.

Is being autistic difficult?
Yes, it is – especially in a world that’s not built for you, that sees you as less. Having a body that doesn’t always cooperate isn’t exactly helpful either.

That said… there’s a lot of joy and beauty that comes along with autism. You know – just like any other human experience.

I’d like to focus on that this year.

Being in the presence of my fixations and special interests?
It’s having some stability in a chaotic world, somewhere I can take solace in.

Flapping hands and bouncing around?
It’s the feeling of overwhelming joy, the need to move because I cannot contain it within.

The excitement that fills my soul from the things people rarely give a second glance to?
It’s wonderful to find happiness amongst the mundane.

If others understood that joy, maybe we would have a much nicer Autism Acceptance month.

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Growing up, I never thought I would experience acceptance. Trauma made me feel like that was impossible, and that I was broken.

But now that I have a support system, access to better communication options, and people who love both me and all my weirdness?

I was never broken or “bad at being a human.” I was just autistic, and needed more supports to thrive.

What I needed was acceptance – radical acceptance.

Acceptance to me feels like:

• Having fun with friends. Not because they feel obligated to or for a program, but simply because they want to spend time together.
• Loved ones who know what things delight and soothe my sensory system, happily sharing what they find.
• Pets that love me unconditionally.
• A loving and supportive partner, who accepts my communication and access needs.
• Classmates who value my input and ideas, and actively want me involved.
• Direct support professionals who ensure both my autonomy and safety, giving me the dignity of risk and the ability to enjoy being in my community.
• People who push for change; those that fight for better supports, respite for families, accessibility, employment, housing, and so much more.

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Acceptance isn’t ignoring the difficulties.

It’s learning to embrace who I am as a person, knowing that life is a beautiful thing – even if it deviates from the norm.

It’s learning to understand what I need, figuring out how to advocate for myself – even if my self-advocacy is simply saying “no.”

It’s others learning that different is not such a terrible thing after all, and that different is valuable.

Acceptance, in its many forms, is an action.

• Reflections