Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month
“What is brown & sticky?”
A stick!
“You’re autistic. That means you take things literally, right?”
No, that’s a kleptomaniac.
Just some good old-fashioned autism humor!
April is Autism Acceptance Month, and it’s a great time to showcase the diversity or neurodiversity of our team and beyond!
A quick background on this month: Autism Awareness Day was officially launched in April 1977, and then the United Nations declared April 2 World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). In the past few years, there has been a push to change it from Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance, and for good reason. The “awareness” campaign made it seem that autism was a lack of something, an illness, that people with autism needed to be fixed and weren’t complete (this is where the puzzle piece icon came from). The recent shift towards acceptance is so that it’s understood being autistic is natural and a lot more common than previously realized. It removes the barrier that “awareness” places on it by making it sound like a disease and instead fosters support and lets autistic people live their lives as fully as anyone else.
As we reflect on Autism Acceptance Month and the broader spectrum, it’s good to recognize the personal impact this campaign has on many individuals, like myself, and the movement toward inclusion.
As a late-diagnosed AuDHD (autistic and ADHD) adult, this month holds a special significance to me. My entire life, I unknowingly masked my neurodivergence, struggling with things that came naturally to so many others and challenges without understanding why and left with a sense of frustration and isolation. Unaware of my own neurodiversity, I navigated the world with a sense of awkwardness, confusion, and just feeling like I didn't quite fit in with anyone or anywhere. However, as I’ve started this new chapter of self-discovery and acceptance, embracing my authentic self, stims and all, I've realized the power of acceptance, patience, and understanding. These qualities have fostered a newfound sense of belonging and empowerment.
While Autism Acceptance Month is focused primarily on autism, it is also a great reminder of the diverse spectrum of neurodivergent experiences and the contributions each neurodivergent individual offers. Neurodiversity is visible in our day-to-day lives, communities, and workplaces. There are many conditions that people might not be aware of that fall under the Neurodiversity umbrella. Autism is just one small part. There are also ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, rejection sensitivity dysphoria, sensory processing disorder and many others. And there’s a good chance you know someone or work with someone who is neurodivergent. Many individuals, including myself, navigate life with these conditions, each bringing a unique perspective and set of strengths. So, this is a great time to shed light on the significance of embracing neurodiversity in the workplace, exploring its benefits, and the role self-employment plays in empowering neurodivergent individuals to thrive.
Being autistic in the workplace can bring challenges that can be tricky to navigate, think: sensory issues, struggling with social nuance, small talk, and troubles with communication. Many resort to “masking” their autistic traits to try to survive in the neurotypical world, which is utterly physically exhausting. However, with autism becoming more widely acknowledged and accepted and more accommodations being made, it’s slowly becoming easier to find our place. And there are so many benefits to working with someone who is neurodivergent! Many strengths are superior creativity, the ability to hyperfocus on certain tasks, high organizational skills, and great attention to detail, just to name a few.
By working as a solopreneur/freelancer/business owner, people on the spectrum can create a work environment that meets their comfort level. It’s a great way to express creativity, let the mask down, showcase strengths, and create a community that embraces diversity and allows for contribution to society in a way that suits their needs.
Autism Acceptance Month is a great time to continue celebrating, learning, and embracing diversity regardless of neurotype! Let’s strive for a future where acceptance, understanding, and inclusivity are the norm, empowering individuals of every neurotype to thrive in every aspect of life.
Written by Amber Hart