My son has Aspergers Syndrome, he is 20. Right now he is at college. He started in September and he's been enjoying the course, mostly. He's due to complete this course in June. Yesterday he sunk into an instant depression. He has been accused of flirting with girls who don't like his presence and looking at them. He went to college today and tried to sort out the issue these girls have with him in a respectful manner. His lecturers were present, (they are confused too and don't know what he has done). It didn't go well. Let me make it clear, they have never complained about him officially. He never touched anyone, he never followed them, never swapped numbers, never invited them out, didn't say anything inappropriate on social media. He has never met up with them outside college. He was just trying to be friendly the whole time. This is the first time he has ever had this problem. He doesn't invade people's space or do inappropriate things. If anything he is too accommodating and too nice. His problem is his personality. He refuses to go along to get along.
A few of the girls have been spreading rumours about him for months. It all started when he took to college Matt Walsh's book, What is a Woman? Without even reading it or knowing what it is about they accused him of being a misogynist. He refuted the allegations and explained the book wasn't about that. This is my belief about what started all of this. My son is very honest and has strong opinions. He is very anti woke. He is entitled to his opinion and should not have his character assassinated as a result. Most people keep their opinions to themselves for fear of being accused of hate crime, but my son says what he wants. I think he is brave for doing so, but I worry about him. I shouldn't have to be. Don't we all have the right to be ourselves? Clearly some people don't like this and this has culminated in my son wanting to quit college. He says it's the moral thing to do. He also can't cope anymore. He has given up and doesn't want to go back. He is so stubborn. I can't change his mind and don't know what to do. The college lecturer was so worried for his mental health she called me to let me know how upset he is. I think those girls are extremists. Woke behaviour is ruining lives. Last year on this same course another young guy was accused of the same thing and had to quit his course. Who is the victim here? Autistic or not, no one should be bullied for their opinions. Is flirting now a crime? It would seem so. Navigating this complex world is hard for everyone but for autistic people this is so much harder. My son wants to participate is society. Being punished for saying out loud his innermost thoughts makes him want to become a recluse. His anxiety is very high right now. I'm struggling to help him. He doesn't always follow my advice and wants to do things his way. He shouldn't be abused for being himself. He harmed no one.