‘Autism’ is a broad term used to describe a whole range of conditions that tend to share a few common traits, like finding social interaction or communication difficult, needing a specific daily routine and having some repetitive behaviours. Of course, some people with autism aren’t affected by any of these and some people are affected by all of them — it is a spectrum after all.
Recently, my younger brother was diagnosed with autism. It did not come as a surprise for our family as we had picked up on his differences in behaviour from a very early age. While our family was happy to embrace his diagnosis, we knew that even in this day and age there is still a huge stigma attached to the word ‘autism’ that affects both individuals with autism and their families.
When we first started to suspect that my brother may have autism we did a lot of research around the subject. I did a lot of googling and it was amazing to see autism presented in the mainstream media in such a positive way. There were ‘success stories’ everywhere I looked. Inspiring accounts of people, of all ages, who have achieved amazing things despite, or perhaps because of, this diagnosis.
A prominent example in the media at the moment is 17-year-old climate change activist Greta Thunberg, who is diagnosed with Aspergers. Thunberg has, without a doubt, achieved amazing things. She is currently the world’s most prominent activist, showcased by the fact that in September, 4 million people joined her in a strike across 161 countries. Not only that, she has spoken in front of world leaders at the UN Climate Action Summit. Thunberg has achieved far more than your average 17-year-old, and there are so many other inspiring stories like hers being continually shared within the media.
However, in every story I read, there was always a silver lining. It felt like I was always reading about the child that had an incredibly high IQ and started university at the age of ten, they were a musical genius or they now run a multi-million-pound corporation. These are things to be celebrated, for they’re truly amazing feats of achievement. But it needs to be recognized that these people make up a tiny proportion of people diagnosed on the autistic spectrum. Some people diagnosed with low-functioning autism will struggle to complete what we perceive to be simple daily tasks, never mind being able to speak in front of world leaders.
These stories do not show the child who screams in the shopping center because the environment is too much for them to cope with, who has limited spoken language, who only eats particular foods, who refuses to wear some clothes because they are hypersensitive or who is physically aggressive with their family or teachers because they have had a change in their routine that they cannot process. The media doesn’t show this side of autism, and they need to.
If people are only aware of the amazing achievements of a tiny minority of people on the autistic spectrum, then they may assume that this is what all people diagnosed with autism are like. This makes it incredibly hard for people with autism and their families to feel accepted in society, especially in public places where people form judgments on a person or a child and their family for behaving in a ‘socially unacceptable way.’ If people are not taught about the reality of autism and how it is a spectrum with people who can be high or low functioning in society, then we are never going to de-stigmatize it, as people will never understand the challenges that people with autism and their families face on a daily basis.
I want my brother to grow up in a world where he is appreciated and accepted for his differences. Where his autism doesn’t mean people will have expectations for him to be as successful as the people we read about in the media. Nor do I want him to be the person who is shunned for his behavior in social situations because people do not understand the difficulties he faces. I want him and all other people diagnosed with autism to be who they are and be loved for it.
The media can have a huge impact on how the public perceives things, and if used in the right way could help remove the stigma of autism that so many people have branded on them today. A child with autism doesn’t have to be the next Greta Thunberg or Albert Einstein to be successful or socially accepted. Just once, I would love to see a story celebrating someone with autism who stepped out of their comfort zone, broke a routine or held eye contact. Because for so many people, this is the reality of autism– it is what many will see to be small victories that really mean the most to people with autism and their families. It is only when we educate that we can understand. The media has the power to do this, if only we change the angle from which we approach presenting Autism.
Photo: Engage Education
