Autism Is... More Than Awareness
Moving Towards Inclusion
At LRCSS, our vision is an inclusive society where everyone can thrive. We spend our days helping children, youth, and adults with autism thrive in a world not designed for them. The flip side of that is educating others so that we can make the world a more inclusive place.
April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to move beyond awareness and towards meaningful inclusion. While awareness campaigns have increased understanding of autism, true acceptance means advocating for systemic change, creating accessible spaces, and ensuring autistic voices are heard and valued.
Where Can More Awareness Still Help?
While awareness of autism has grown, many aspects of the autistic experience remain misunderstood. Some key areas where more awareness can drive real change include:
Understanding the Diversity of Autism: Autism is not a single set of traits expressed the same way in every person. It spans all genders, cultures, and backgrounds, and it can co-occur with other conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and intellectual disabilities.
Reciprocal Understanding: Autistic individuals are often expected to adapt to neurotypical social norms, but true inclusion requires mutual understanding. Society should also learn how to communicate and interact in ways that accommodate autistic perspectives.
Sensory and Environmental Needs: More awareness is needed about how sensory sensitivities impact daily life and how simple accommodations can make spaces more accessible for autistic individuals.
Employment and Workplace Inclusion: While many autistic individuals have skills and strengths well-suited for the workforce, employment opportunities are often limited due to misconceptions and inaccessible hiring practices.
From Awareness to Acceptance
Awareness focuses on recognizing autism, but acceptance involves creating environments where autistic individuals can fully participate in society. This means:
Educational Inclusion: Supporting neurodiverse-friendly classrooms with sensory-friendly accommodations and flexible teaching strategies.
Workplace Accessibility: Encouraging businesses to implement inclusive hiring practices, workplace adjustments, and supportive management strategies.
Community Support: Ensuring social spaces, recreational programs, and public services consider autistic needs and offer accommodations.
One-on-One Connection: Each of us taking steps to meet autistic children, peers, and colleagues on their terms more often—just as we ask them to do every day.
Autistic Voices You Should Follow
Learning from autistic individuals and organizations is essential for fostering acceptance. Here are some advocates and content creators who provide valuable insights:
Kerry Magro (@KerryMagro) – An autism self-advocate, professional speaker, and author.
Kaelynn Partlow (@Kaelynnvp) – A neurodivergent advocate sharing real-life experiences with autism and her work supporting autistic individuals.
BreakwithShaiden (@BreakwithShaiden) – A fun heartwarming child advocate using social media to educate about autism and neurodiversity.
Neurodivergent Lou (@Neurodivergent_Lou) – A content creator raising awareness about the intersection of autism and mental health.
Reframing Autism – An organization sharing autistic-led perspectives on neurodiversity and acceptance.
Autistic Girls Network – A resource highlighting the unique experiences of autistic women and girls.
Following autistic advocates is a great way to gain firsthand insights into the autistic experience. Who do you follow? Tell us in the comments.
How You Can Help Create an Inclusive Society:
Support policies promoting accessibility and inclusion.
Amplify autistic voices by sharing their work and perspectives.
Engage with autistic-led initiatives and organizations.
Connect with local organizations that support the autism community.
Reflect on how you can better support and connect with the autistic individuals in your life.