Ever since I were 2 years old the NHS has viewed me as one of the most severely disabled people in the UK. Due to this, just about everyone doubted me, and attempted to discourage me, even today the NHS themselves struggle to believe what I’ve accomplished in my life.
I believe what has helped me make my achievements is embracing my Autism instead of suppressing it, I share my view with people and they claim they’ve never looked at it my way, shows just how effective having a different perspective and way of thinking of the world can be.
I simply viewed Autism as an adjective instead of a disability, an adjective that describes my brain. I ask people why they view Autism as a tragedy and disability, I always get answers like “because it gives you limitations and disadvantages.” I then ask them “doesn’t every human have limitations and disadvantages?” They confess yes then I say “so isn’t humanity a disability?” They say No, I then tell them “Exactly, Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Dyslexia and any other brain is part of The Human Spectrum, not a Malfunctioning Human Spectrum. I always tell them they are not “able”, they are “en-abled” and I’m “differently-abled”.
I love the positive neurological differences, and I believe it’s these differences like hyper focusing, special interests, critically detailed, awareness, not so easily driven away from my goals, concentrate for longer periods of time, perseverance and not so disturbed by what people think about me. Embracing these aspects, putting them to use is what’s helped me strive to reach my goals. I think it would be great if Autistic children could be more encouraged and taught about their strengths instead of been lead to believe Autism is only negative making them sabotage themselves.
Would you like to share what you like about your form of Autism or your child’s form of Autism and how you embrace it.
