• Replies 27 replies
  • Subscribers 90 subscribers
  • Views 6765 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Is this really a safe space for autistic adults?

M

Recently I have noticed more comments by partners and parents of autistic people, and quite often they are derogatory towards autistic people. 

Do other people feel that this is a safe space? 

In particular, I'm upset by the thread questioning the validity of celebrities being diagnosed as autistic. Many of us have had a lifetime of struggling and discovering we are autistic is empowering as we finally make sense when so much often hasn't made sense pre-diagnosis. I don't feel that we should have to be faced with people questioning that in one of the few spaces designed for us to discuss our innermost thoughts and feelings. Sometimes I actually wonder if we are even being trolled and people aren't what they make themselves out to be. 

I just wanted to get that off my chest because I'm upset and anxious after using the forum tonight, which isn't a sign of safety. 

Parents

  • I'm sorry you are feeling upset and anxious. I know what you mean. I have read a few posts on here recently which often seem derogatory or even hostile to autistic people. I'm not sure its done intentionally, and is probably just people being scared or badly informed, but it doesn't make it feel like a safe space. It hasn't made me feel threatened but it has made me feel deeply uncomfortable and guarded. The fact that this is a completely public forum has always made me more than a little nervous too tbh. I always wondered why at least some of the boards don't require a people to at least sign in to view them.  

Reply

  • I'm sorry you are feeling upset and anxious. I know what you mean. I have read a few posts on here recently which often seem derogatory or even hostile to autistic people. I'm not sure its done intentionally, and is probably just people being scared or badly informed, but it doesn't make it feel like a safe space. It hasn't made me feel threatened but it has made me feel deeply uncomfortable and guarded. The fact that this is a completely public forum has always made me more than a little nervous too tbh. I always wondered why at least some of the boards don't require a people to at least sign in to view them.  

Children
No Data