Acceptance is the Goal
Happy World Autism ACCEPTANCE Day!
However, you might see that other large autism organizations in this state and throughout the country calling today Autism Awareness Day.
I used to be in the camp that awareness is okay and can be substituted for acceptance. Not any more. Those who are talking about awareness instead of acceptance are missing the point of autism advocacy. Autism advocacy works toward better policies to address needs and increased opportunities in education, employment and community accessibility. It makes me wonder whether these “awareness” organizations are being led by people who have a personal stake in autism. I’ve made it no secret that I am an autism parent. My adult son Matthew is non-verbal. I am his voice and share our story to help decision makers understand what supports are needed for Hoosier autistics and their families.
When you look up the definition of “awareness” and “acceptance” you quickly find out they are not the same.
awareness - knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.
acceptance - the action of consenting to receive or undertake something offered.
Awareness is knowing about autism.
Acceptance is an action because of that knowledge.
How does this one word - acceptance- affect our autism community? Let me give you some examples.
Awareness recognizes that autism exists. Acceptance acknowledges the individual’s strengths and provides adequate support to meet their needs. (Not caps to services, but that’s a whole other blog post.)
Awareness asks people to know about autism. Acceptance asks businesses and communities to become inclusive.
Awareness is understanding that you can hire someone with autism. Acceptance is hiring them.
Awareness is knowing that those with autism learn differently. Acceptance is adapting the way you teach to match the way they learn.
Awareness understands that autism doesn’t end at age 22. Acceptance is providing meaningful supports for adult autistics and their families.
Almost everything we do here at My Autism Ally helps make people autism aware. We also have 1:36 children in this country diagnosed with autism. I’d say we are already very aware of autism in this country. But know this, for organizations, awareness isn’t that hard to do. It takes little effort to share awareness to the general public. On the other hand, acceptance is hard. It’s not easy to get people, businesses and government agencies to shift from awareness mindset to the actions of acceptance.
Acceptance requires multiple, ongoing relationships with businesses and other community stakeholders.
Acceptance requires action from an individual, organization or government entity.
Acceptance takes money. And let’s be honest, sometimes a lot of money.
Acceptance means more work. For both the organization promoting acceptance and the agency who is the action of acceptance.
Let me be clear, at My Autism Ally, acceptance is the goal. We aren’t afraid of the hard work needed to change perception into action.
I hope if you have read this blog post, you might be interested in being a part of that work. I’d encourage you to do one of the following:
Donate to My Autism Ally. Did you know that we don’t take any state or federal money? We are supported by generous donors like you! This means when we advocate to legislators and other decision makers, we are entirely focused on autistics and their families, not how our advocacy affects our nonprofit’s financial position.
Volunteer with My Autism Ally - contact us at info@myautismally.org and we’ll put your talents to use.
Like and Share our social media posts.
And don’t forget to Light It Up RED for Autism Acceptance this April.
Let’s fight for ACCEPTANCE together!