April is World Autism Month, or Autism Acceptance Month, making it the perfect opportunity to take a moment to think about people with autism and how we can all do a better job of embracing them, their families and what makes them unique.
The annual month of recognition was created 15 years ago as a way to foster support for people with autism by sharing their stories and providing ways for communities to increase support and understanding of people living with the disorder. A great way to recognize Autism Acceptance Month is to consider what you can do to help create a world where each person with autism feels accepted and has the support they need to reach their full potential.
Everyone is invited to participate, whether you or someone you love is living with autism, or if you’re just looking for ways to support this diverse community. So, we want to take a moment to talk about how we, at KGH Autism Services, are recognizing Autism Acceptance Month, and how you can do the same.
So How Can You Help People with Autism Feel Supported and Empowered?
One of the best things you can do to be an ally for people with autism (and their families) is to become part of their support system. So what is a support system? Merriam-Webster defines it as “a network of people who provide an individual with practical or emotional support.” To put it simply, the best way to support them is by being a friend.
We asked our clients what people can do to make them feel supported. Here are some of the things we’ve learned:
- Be a companion: people with autism need companionship and love just like everyone else. People crave time with friends, and although many of us, including those living with autism, may cherish their alone time, most of us need time to connect with people we know won’t judge us for being ourselves. Essentially, if you want to support the autism community, try befriending someone living with autism.
- Be welcoming: nothing makes people feel uncomfortable faster than not feeling welcome. The next time you’re in a room with someone with autism, why not try greeting them with warmth? This will make them feel more at ease, and could be the beginning of a friendship. Some people with autism may struggle with social situations; being welcoming is an easy thing you can do to help the autism community, and it will make you feel good to be kind to others.
- Be accepting: no one likes feeling out of place, and just because people with autism may be different in some ways, treating them like they aren’t a part of the group or making them feel like they aren’t accepted for their differences, not only hurts them but hurts society. People living with autism have many wonderful things to offer, and it’s important to treat them like they’re valued and accepted for who they are. Don’t make them feel like they need to change to be enough.
You can build on your support for those with autism by being a source of empowerment. “Empowering” is defined as making someone “stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights.” That means being a source of positivity that helps your friends live fulfilling, meaningful lives: supporting their passions and supporting initiatives that build-up protections that reinforce their success.
Here are things you can do that our clients say make them feel empowered:
Be a learning partner: one of the best ways to help someone with autism feel empowered, according to our clients, is to help them learn what they want to learn. If you have a friend living with autism, chances are you know them better than most people. That puts you in a special position to help them where others may find it challenging. Helping your friend learn a new skill, or about something they’re interested in, will empower them. It also sets the template for others to see what types of learning styles work best, which opens the door to continued learning… and continued empowerment.
Be encouraging: you can empower your friend with autism with a “you can do it attitude.” If you tell someone they can’t do something enough times, they start to believe it. People with autism are impacted by discouragement, just like everyone else, and are vulnerable to learned helplessness. Motivating your friend, and showing them how to interact in unfamiliar environments, will help them enjoy experiences, and become more comfortable with trying new things.
Be a teammate: treat your friend with autism like they’re a member of your team, not a project. No one likes to feel pitied; they want (and deserve) to be treated with dignity. Stand up for them if they’re being picked on, just as you’d do with any of your friends, but don’t treat them like they’re fragile. Include them in activities with your other friends and treat them as an individual, not a stereotype. Respect their sensory, learning and communication differences without treating them differently. This will empower your friend to know that they’re equal to others and capable of achieving their dreams.
How KGH Autism Services Embraces Autism Uniqueness and Neurodiversity
Here at KGH Autism Services we are working to create inclusive communities, whether that be in neighborhoods, workplaces, schools or places of worship. We embrace neurodiversity and the qualities that make each person unique, understanding that our differences make us stronger. We recognize Autism Acceptance Month as an opportunity to spread awareness and the importance of embracing and empowering those around us. Here are a few of the values we aspire to each day and are committed to achieving during Autism Acceptance Month and throughout the year:
- We will actively stand up to injustice, while calling ourselves and others out with honesty and kindness
- We will learn, embrace and respect new ideas and perspectives
- We understand our differences make us stronger
- We will be authentic and true to ourselves, and encourage others to do the same
- We will teach our clients to celebrate their individuality
- We believe diversity drives creativity
How we’re empowering others this Autism Acceptance Month
This Autism Acceptance we want to empower the neurodiverse by celebrating their uniqueness and accomplishments. Our goal is to do everything we can to help people with autism realize their dreams. We hope to do this by providing families the tools they need to support their loved ones and by giving our team members the resources they need to do their jobs without inhibition.
How we’re spreading awareness for Autism Acceptance Month
We can’t expect a world with autism acceptance, without awareness. That’s why it’s important to show people the realities of autism and what many of their neighbors are going through. We strive to educate people on the early signs of autism and the different ways it can manifest itself later in life. We want the world to understand that each person with autism is unique and should be treated as an individual, not a stereotype. We also want to improve access to healthcare for all families. To achieve our goal we must understand areas of improvement. Some facts we want you to know on access to healthcare/early diagnosis:
- Black and Hispanic children are more likely to be underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed or diagnosed later in life.
- Women and girls are more likely to be underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed or diagnosed later in life.
Autism Acceptance Month is an opportunity for growth. As you go about your daily life, try to keep neurodiversity in your thoughts. Look for ways to spread kindness and acceptance. Ask yourself: how can I spread acceptance and how can I empower and support individuals with autism and their families?
KGH Autism is committed to developing a support system for people with autism and the neurodiverse, and being a safe, welcoming place to learn and grow. Contact us to learn more.
