"I felt the hearts of millions of moms break as they rehearsed all the actions they took during pregnancy that might have led to their child's autism diagnosis. In a few weeks, I'm supposed to stand on stage at a conference for autistic adults, led by autistic adults. I'm supposed to deliver my first keynote speech as an Autist. My message was meant to be simple: autism is an essential part of who I am. It's part of my identity, my community, my story."
"Earlier this year, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released a list of "nevers. " In the same breath in which he declared things like autistic individuals will "never pay taxes," he vowed to make progress toward ending the "autism epidemic." Those words hurt, and they revealed something bigger: A belief that autistic people are problems to be erased, not humans to be loved."
A president framed autistic people as a mistake, causing mothers to fear blame for prenatal actions. Preparations for a keynote by autistic adults affirmed autism as essential to identity, community, and personal story. Headlines and leaders suggested routine prenatal behaviors might be blamed and promoted ending an "autism epidemic," implying that autistic people are problems to erase. Autism is not a disease to cure. People across support levels, including Level 3/profound autism, possess intrinsic worth, beauty, and potential deserving protection and love.
Read at Scary Mommy
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