April is widely known as Autism Acceptance Month. This month, you will see your social media feed flooded with walks to attend, places to donate in support of autism resources, and banners to raise awareness.
For decades, this month was named “Autism Awareness Month.” In recent years, however, this month has become one of celebration and autistic pride. In 2020, the name was changed to “Autism Acceptance Month”, its purpose redefined and cemented with an emphasis on creating a neurodiverse world.
This concept emphasizes the importance of recognizing the wide range of neurological differences that exist in the world, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, OCD, mood disorders, sensory processing disorder, and Tourette’s syndrome. Rather than pathologizing these differences and trying to cure them, the neurodiversity movement advocates for embracing and accommodating them.
But what would a neurodiverse world actually look like?
Accommodations in the Workplace and School Settings
Right now, the autism community struggles with unemployment or underemployment. When adults with autism do find employment, often they feel they must mask, causing added stress, and fear disclosing their diagnosis to their employer.
Children and young people experience many of the same challenges in school settings, feeling they must mask to avoid exclusion or judgment. Many must navigate sensory difficulties or force themselves not to stim, as many educators and children are unaware of the various presentations of autism spectrum disorder.
A neurodiverse-friendly world would readily offer sensory accommodations, such as more flexible schedules, noise-canceling headphones, spaces to take breaks, accessible fidget toys, and dimmed lights. Stimming would be as accepted as tapping a foot or clicking a pen.
Strengths, rather than challenges, would be the focus of employers. Neurodiverse individuals tend to have exceptional abilities in areas such as pattern recognition, attention to detail, and logical reasoning. Others are highly creative and innovative thinkers, constantly thinking “outside the box.” Many are very visual learners and thinkers, which can offer much in our increasingly digital world.
Acceptance of All Types of Communication
A major component of these accommodations would be a shift to acceptance of all forms of communication. This would include nonverbal communication, such as sign language or the use of AAC devices.
Too often, nonverbal individuals are seen as “less than”; a neurodiverse world would see them simply as people who prefer an alternative mode of communication.
Voices of the Autistic Community Included
In recent years, the autistic self-advocacy community has adopted a “nothing about us without us” philosophy. If a company, school, or foundation is planning events for Autism Acceptance Month or autism support or education events in general, they should include any employees, members, or even students with autism. These individuals with autism should take a leadership role in the planning of these events, if they are interested.
Acceptance and Understanding Through Education
More than anything else, a neurodiverse-friendly world would prioritize the needs and preferences of neurodiverse individuals. Education, healthcare, employment, and social structures would all be designed with the baseline understanding that people’s brains work differently from one another.
In schools, teachers would be trained to recognize and regularly accommodate different learning styles, and to provide support for those who struggle with traditional methods of instruction. In healthcare, doctors would be trained to recognize and address the unique needs of patients with different neurological profiles.
All of this education would focus on breaking down the stereotypes and stigmas associated with neurodiverse conditions, instead communicating that these conditions are a natural and valuable part of human diversity.
