I don't understand why is it not easy for me to have autism, What are your thoughts?

Question

I am 22 years old and I was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when I was 10 years old.

Throughout my school life I went to 6 schools (4 primary, 1 senior and 1 special needs school) because from 2rd to 4th primary schools my parents were trying to find a right school because I was struggling a lot in school with my education, speech and language. 3rd primary school it was school was mixed with mainstream classes and special needs classes, I was put into a special needs class and they had speech and language therapists in the school and I was there for 2 years (year 4 I was the only girl, as most of the students in my class were boys and I didnt want to be in the class with boys and I wanted to be in the mainstream classes with girls). From 4th primary school to employment (including special needs school, first 2-3 months in college) I was bullied, been forgotten, left out and been treated completely differently.

From 4th primary school to senior school I wanted good friendships, unfortunately, I didn't, I have left out alot esp in PE and I didnt want to be left out and forgotten. I can remember when I was in year 10 I wanted to die so badly because of being left out/forgotten/ never been included and I have also hurt myself. When I was in special needs school I was bullied by girls and I was often left out by them.

In 4th primary school I was treated very badly by classmates they asked me if I am Spaz and a retard and they were really horrible to me.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm mildly Autistic myself, and like you, I went through utter HELL growing up and while I was in school. You have asked why it's hard to be Autistic in US (and likely, UK), society. Well the simple answer is because both of these countries have cultures that marginalize and discriminate against, not to mention HATE ON, anyone who is in any way "different" from whatever the accepted standard of "normal" or "cool" happens to be- and that standard can change rapidly, as you have seen.

People get cold towards you because they either don't understand Autism, or they are scared of it and don't know how to treat someone who has it. And because Autism isn't just one disorder (it's a whole spectrum) that adds another monkey wrench into things. Some Autism disorders are mild and produce relatively few symptoms, like mine. Others are more severe and produce MANY symptoms.

US society in particular is one that marginalizes and discriminates against anyone with any kind of disability, no matter how minor. There are simply far too many people who believe that those with Autism are "sick" or that they are "broken" and they need to be "fixed". It's not true, of course. But there is a segment of US society that clings to this belief like it was one of the Ten Commandments. Even worse, there are still plenty of people around who equate being "different" with being "unacceptable". That's why you were picked on while you were growing up, and why it also happened to me. It's very easy to demonize things that people either don't understand or don't like- that's part of the basis for racism, sexism, homophobia, and just about any other "ism" you can think of.

You won't be able to "get rid" of your Autism. It's permanent, and it will always be there and affect you and how you live your life. What you need to do instead is find creative ways to live with it. Stop wasting your energy on something that will never happen. I've managed okay in the end- I lead an independent life. I work full time, have a college degree, own and drive my own car, live on my own, pay taxes, vote, and do all the things that any other "normal" adult does. You can do these things too.

I don't understand why is it not easy for me to have autism, What are your thoughts?

1 Answer