So it’s been 24 hours and 25 or so comments have been logged to this initial post.
“What would an ASD friendly world look like and is it possible? I understand the question is generic but as I understand how vast the spectrum is I just know the answers are just as vast.”
I thought it might be interesting to provide a summary of the responses and my overall thoughts given all the great comments.
There are two questions:
What would an ASD friendly world look like?
The direction taken in the comments was an ASD friendly world would be wonderful! If the world were ASD friendly many of the challenges faced by ASD people would be much easier to manage. This ASD friendly world would be more instinctively understanding and inclusive. This ASD friendly world would be free of prejudice both real and perceived. An ASD life would be more predictable and less chaotic. One comment said, “To me, an AS friendly society would be as aware and encouraging of our autistic aptitudes as they are aware of our autistic social difficulties.” If I remember correctly one comment referred to it as a “utopia”; idyllic in nature, a paradise where ASD is “normalized”. An ASD friendly world would be wonderful!
Is an ASD friendly world possible?
The consensus seemed to be that an ASD friendly world is possible but not probable or likely. It was felt that the many hurdles humanity would need to clear to become ASD friendly are too abundant. These hurdles were identified as self-centeredness, discrimination (in the unkind sense toward ASD people), and prejudice just to name a few. In summary, the consensus was that an ASD friendly world would also have to be a gender, religion, race, etc. friendly as well. This kind of world is possible but not probable or likely.
My thoughts.
I thought this general autism discussion was healthy for several reasons. This discussion gave us another chance to voice our individual perspective and simply let our frustration out. Our individual stories are rich with experience but many of these stories represent experience based in an unjust culture that typically sidelines the marginal. It is healthy to say, “this is my experience and it isn’t just, damn it!” Okay stay with me here because this one is hard to stomach. This discussion was healthy because it challenges us to face realities. By not facing and accepting the realities of life as a minority we can find ourselves simply surviving and not thriving. Until that day when the world is ASD friendly, we have to be purposeful in carving out a life. The world system isn’t wired for optimal ASD living. That said, we must continue to expand the boarders of understanding. An ASD world is possible.
I leave you with the lyrics written by Justin Paul and Benj Pasek:
I am not a stranger to the dark
Hide away, they say
'Cause we don't want your broken parts
I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars
Run away, they say
No one'll love you as you are
But I won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us
For we are glorious
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me
I welcome your additions and subtractions to this summary as clarifying.