I found this thing I wrote a while ago, it’s a list of things neurotypicals can do to actually help autistic people
- Don’t tell me how normal I look, or how no one would ever know I’m autistic. Understand that I have spent a lifetime learning how to appear normal.
- Don’t take my language away from me. I am autistic. I don’t want to describe myself as “on the spectrum” or having aspergers. Please respect that.
- Let me stim. Let me flap when I’m upset.
- Don’t force me to talk when I’m having a meltdown. Don’t force me to make eye contact or show physical affection either. Yes, of course I still love you but I’m spending all of my energy trying to hold myself together at this moment.
- Acknowledge societal biases like sexism in regards to autism.
- Don’t support autism speaks for anything.
- Do your research. Read accounts of other autistic adults. You know how to use google.
- Understand that autism is part of my identity. A lot of times its a pain in the ass but I’m actually proud of being autistic at times.
- Trust me that I know my abilities best. You might think something is easy or even if I’ve done it before, if I say I can’t you need to listen. Sometimes I can act neurotypical with a large amount of effort, but if I’m stressed I might not be able to do that thing I did last week.
- Just… listen to us