The theme of this week’s paper is essential and should be in the spotlight around campus often: kindness. To keep in the mood, this week, we will unmask autism, but with kindness!
Sadly, although kindness is fantastic, we will be exploring the absence of it when dealing with autism. A few weeks back, we explored the stereotypes of autism and how they can be harmful; however, beyond stereotypes, the daily life of an individual with autism can be challenging. A quick disclaimer before I start, though: kindness towards individuals with autism or other neurodiverse individuals has significantly improved over the past few years, whether from “Spread the Word to End the Word” or more acceptance of others.
The most essential area of daily life for individuals with autism, where kindness is sometimes lacking, is social inclusion. For many with autism, myself very much included, it is difficult to join social circles, whether it be friends, clubs, sports teams, or music groups. Typically, it is a combination of individuals with autism’s difficulties in social situations but also a primarily subconscious reaction of many neurotypical individuals. It is natural to avoid that which is unusual or different from ourselves — a main reason humans have survived for as long as we have. However, it can be challenging to overcome the instincts of wanting to avoid someone different than yourself.
For me, this is an almost everyday occurrence. Whether I am spouting historical facts like Niagara Falls or conducting a symphony from my headphones with the enthusiasm of a bird who recently learned to fly (or many other unique characteristics of myself), it is second nature for some individuals to leave me out of a conversation, group, or even some inside jokes. It is not always intentional but can be detrimental after an entire day of surviving in the wilderness of the social world.
Even though kindness can be lacking in some environments, it is always possible to improve your actions — to spread kindness yourself; most of the time, it is pretty simple. To start, if someone is doing something you would consider unusual, try to look past whatever atypical action that individual is taking. Remember, you probably have an awkward habit that others look past.
If you feel like you have a fountain of kindness you would like to spread; there are always more ways to help neurodiverse individuals who may be struggling. First, you ensure that you include everyone in a group, activity, or event. To go even further, you can reach out to groups that advocate for individuals with autism, like Best Buddies International, that can connect you with neurodiverse individuals in a mentorship/friendship relationship.
Although kindness can sometimes be lacking for autistic individuals, it is always possible to improve your actions and spread kindness yourself. By doing as little as to not judge others, including all around you, or advocating for individuals with autism, we can create a more inclusive and accepting environment for all. So, let’s continue to spread kindness, one action at a time, and make the world a better place for everyone!
