How do autism experts and advocates view neurodiversity. What insights can we gain from their perspectives on autism and Asperger’s. How do these quotes challenge societal perceptions of neurodevelopmental conditions.

Embracing Neurodiversity: Perspectives from Autism Experts

Autism and Asperger’s syndrome are complex neurodevelopmental conditions that have sparked numerous discussions and insights from experts, advocates, and individuals on the spectrum. These perspectives offer valuable understanding of neurodiversity and challenge societal norms.

Dr. Stephen Shore, a prominent figure in autism education, emphasizes the uniqueness of each individual with autism: “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” This quote underscores the importance of recognizing the diverse manifestations of autism spectrum disorders.

Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned animal scientist and autism advocate, offers a thought-provoking perspective on the potential consequences of eliminating autism genes: “You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socializing and not getting anything done.” This statement highlights the unique strengths and contributions of individuals with autism to society.

The Impact of Autism on Society and Personal Growth

Coach Elaine Hall provides an insightful view on how autism can foster societal awareness: “It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of the village.” This quote emphasizes the transformative power of neurodiversity in expanding our understanding of human differences.

Dr. Colin Zimbleman offers a poetic perspective on autism: “Autism offers a chance for us to glimpse an awe-filled vision of the world that might otherwise pass us by.” This statement invites us to consider the unique perceptions and experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum.

Challenging Social Norms and Expectations

John Elder Robison, an author with Asperger’s syndrome, challenges conventional social norms: “And now I know it is perfectly natural for me not to look at someone when I talk. Those of us with Asperger’s are just not comfortable doing it.” This quote encourages us to reconsider our expectations of social interactions and embrace neurodiversity.

Carol Ann Edscorn provides a unique perspective on eye contact: “Our wounds and hurts and fears are in our eyes. Humans think they build ‘walls’ for internal privacy. They think eye contact is about honesty but they mostly lie because they think they can hide their intent. Eye contact is invasive.” This insight challenges the common belief that eye contact is essential for effective communication.

Empowering Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

Neal Katz, a self-advocate, asserts the importance of giving voice to individuals with autism: “I’ve listened enough. It’s time for me to speak, however it may sound. Through an electronic device, my hands, or my mouth. Now it’s your time to listen. Are you ready?” This powerful statement emphasizes the need for society to actively listen to and engage with autistic individuals.

Bill Wong, an autistic occupational therapist, highlights the importance of support and mentorship: “For autistic individuals to succeed in this world, they need to find their strengths and the people that will help them get to their hopes and dreams.” This quote underscores the significance of creating supportive environments for individuals on the spectrum.

Nurturing Strengths and Talents

Dr. Temple Grandin emphasizes the unique qualities of neurodivergent individuals: “The most interesting people you’ll find are ones that don’t fit into your average cardboard box. They’ll make what they need, they’ll make their own boxes.” This perspective encourages us to appreciate and nurture the diverse talents and abilities of those on the autism spectrum.

Chuck Grassley offers a broader view of giftedness: “What makes a child gifted and talented may not always be good grades in school, but a different way of looking at the world and learning.” This quote reminds us to look beyond traditional measures of intelligence and success when considering the strengths of individuals with autism.

Reframing Perceptions of Autism and Asperger’s

Suzy Miller, founder of Awesomism, encourages a shift in language and perception: “Negative words carry negative vibration. Positive words carry positive vibration. What do you want your child to reflect back to you, the label of disordered or the label of gifted in a new way?” This perspective invites us to reconsider how we describe and perceive autism.

Naoki Higashida, a non-verbal autistic author, offers a unique analogy: “We are more like travelers from the distant, distant past. And if, by our being here, we could help the people of the world remember what truly matters for the Earth, that might give us quiet pleasure.” This poetic description encourages us to view autism as a different way of experiencing and interacting with the world.

Challenging Labels and Categories

Kurt Muzikar critiques the tendency to categorize and label individuals: “I think when one becomes identified with a label that’ll become all anyone sees; the expansiveness and breadth of the all of who you are suddenly hidden from view.” This perspective reminds us of the limitations of labels and the importance of seeing the whole person.

Finn Christie, a 10-year-old advocate, offers a simple yet profound insight: “Not everyone is perfect. There is always an imperfect side to everyone.” This statement challenges the notion of perfection and encourages acceptance of human diversity.

Supporting Families and Caregivers of Autistic Individuals

Janet Frenchette Held, a parent of an autistic child, shares her experience: “This is a FOREVER journey with this creative, funny, highly intelligent, aggressive, impulsive, nonsocial, behavioral, often times loving individual.” This quote highlights the complex and lifelong nature of autism and the importance of recognizing both challenges and positive attributes.

Lori Shayew emphasizes the importance of empowering parents: “Parents need to focus on healing and empowering themselves. They must shift their beliefs about autism. Once the parent knows who they are the child will respond.” This perspective encourages parents to cultivate their own strength and understanding to better support their autistic children.

Navigating Educational Challenges

Rick Seward, a disability advocate, offers a realistic perspective on the educational experience: “For every 3 years your child is in public school, you can expect one exceptional teacher, one mediocre teacher, and one teacher who makes your life miserable.” This quote highlights the importance of advocacy and support in navigating the educational system for autistic children.

Lana David emphasizes the role of environment in shaping behavior: “Behavior is communication. Change the environment and behaviors will change.” This insight encourages caregivers and educators to consider environmental factors when addressing behavioral challenges.

Fostering Acceptance and Inclusion in Society

Gee Vero expresses a fundamental desire for acceptance: “I want Elijah to know that he is loved just the way he is.” This simple yet powerful statement encapsulates the core of acceptance and unconditional love for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Leisa Hammett offers a perspective on finding joy amidst challenges: “Life is not about counting the losses and the lost expectations, but rather swimming, with as much grace as can be mustered, in the joy of all of it.” This quote encourages a positive outlook and resilience in the face of difficulties associated with autism.

Promoting Understanding and Compassion

An anonymous quote emphasizes the importance of compassion and understanding: “The labeling undermines us in so many levels! But people don’t know, they need to be reminded that we too are God’s children. People don’t mean harm because they too are God’s children. Love heals.” This perspective encourages empathy and unity in approaching autism and neurodiversity.

These diverse quotes from experts, advocates, and individuals on the autism spectrum offer valuable insights into the complexities of autism and Asperger’s syndrome. They challenge societal norms, encourage acceptance, and promote a more inclusive understanding of neurodiversity. By embracing these perspectives, we can foster a more supportive and understanding environment for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.

The Role of Society in Embracing Neurodiversity

As we reflect on these insightful quotes, it becomes clear that society plays a crucial role in embracing and supporting neurodiversity. How can we create more inclusive environments that celebrate the unique strengths and perspectives of individuals on the autism spectrum?

One approach is to focus on education and awareness. By sharing the experiences and insights of autistic individuals and their families, we can foster greater understanding and empathy in our communities. This can lead to more inclusive practices in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.

Challenging Stereotypes and Misconceptions

Many of the quotes we’ve explored challenge common stereotypes and misconceptions about autism. For instance, the idea that autistic individuals lack empathy or are unable to form meaningful relationships is contradicted by the depth of emotion and connection expressed in these quotes. How can we actively work to dispel such myths and promote a more accurate understanding of autism?

• Encourage autistic self-advocates to share their experiences
• Promote diverse representations of autism in media and literature
• Support research that explores the strengths and abilities of autistic individuals
• Foster dialogue between neurotypical and neurodivergent communities

By taking these steps, we can contribute to a more nuanced and respectful discourse around autism and neurodiversity.

Empowering Autistic Voices in Research and Policy

Many of the quotes we’ve examined come from autistic individuals themselves, highlighting the importance of including autistic voices in discussions about autism. How can we ensure that autistic perspectives are central to research, policy-making, and advocacy efforts related to autism?

One approach is to actively involve autistic individuals in research design and implementation. This can lead to more relevant and impactful studies that address the real needs and experiences of the autism community. Similarly, including autistic voices in policy discussions can result in more effective and empathetic legislation and support services.

The Importance of Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy emerges as a crucial theme in many of these quotes. How can we support and empower autistic individuals to advocate for themselves and their needs? Some strategies might include:

1. Providing communication tools and support for non-verbal individuals
2. Creating safe spaces for autistic individuals to express their needs and preferences
3. Offering mentorship programs that connect autistic youth with autistic adults
4. Promoting leadership opportunities for autistic individuals in various fields

By fostering self-advocacy skills, we can empower autistic individuals to shape their own lives and contribute to broader societal discussions about neurodiversity.

The Intersection of Autism and Other Forms of Diversity

As we consider these quotes and perspectives on autism, it’s important to recognize that autism intersects with other forms of diversity, including race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. How does this intersectionality impact the experiences of autistic individuals, and how can we ensure that our approach to autism support and advocacy is inclusive of all backgrounds?

This intersectionality highlights the need for a nuanced and individualized approach to autism support. It also underscores the importance of diverse representation within the autism community and in autism research and advocacy efforts.

Cultural Perspectives on Autism

While the quotes we’ve explored provide valuable insights, they primarily represent Western perspectives on autism. How do different cultures around the world perceive and support autism? Exploring diverse cultural approaches to neurodiversity can enrich our understanding and potentially offer new strategies for support and inclusion.

By broadening our perspective to include global and multicultural views on autism, we can develop more comprehensive and culturally sensitive approaches to autism support and advocacy.

In conclusion, these quotes from autism experts, advocates, and individuals on the spectrum offer a rich tapestry of perspectives on autism and Asperger’s syndrome. They challenge us to reconsider our assumptions, embrace neurodiversity, and create more inclusive and supportive environments for all individuals, regardless of neurological differences. By continuing to listen to and amplify autistic voices, we can work towards a more understanding and accepting society that celebrates the unique strengths and contributions of all its members.

Favorite quotes about Autism and Aspergers

The Art of Autism is collecting favorite quotes about autism from some of our favorite bloggers. Please share your own in the comments below.

1. “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” – Dr. Stephen Shore.
2. “What would happen if the autism gene was eliminated from the gene pool? You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socializing and not getting anything done.” – Dr. Temple Grandin
3. “It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of the village.” – Coach Elaine Hall
4. “And now I know it is perfectly natural for me not to look at someone when I talk. Those of us with Asperger’s are just not comfortable doing it. In fact, I don’t really understand why it’s considered normal to stare at someone’s eyeballs.” -John Elder Robison
5. “Autism . . . offers a chance for us to glimpse an awe-filled vision of the world that might otherwise pass us by. ” – Dr. Colin Zimbleman, Ph.D.
6. “I’ve listened enough. It’s time for me to speak, however it may sound. Through an electronic device, my hands, or my mouth. Now it’s your time to listen. Are you ready?” – Neal Katz, Self-advocate
7. “The most interesting people you’ll find are ones that don’t fit into your average cardboard box. They’ll make what they need, they’ll make their own boxes.” -Dr. Temple Grandin
8. “This is a FOREVER journey with this creative, funny, highly intelligent, aggressive, impulsive, nonsocial, behavioral, often times loving individual. The nurse said to me after 6 hours with him ‘He is a gift’ INDEED he is.” – Janet Frenchette Held, Parent
9. “Behavior is communication. Change the environment and behaviors will change.” – Lana David
10. “I think when one becomes identified with a label that’ll become all anyone sees; the expansiveness and breadth of the all of who you are suddenly hidden from view. I look to the entire history of the label and how it came to be. Our Western world likes to compartmentalize putting everything into simplistic categories. Now they have such terms as “neurotypical” and “neurodivergent,” separating the entire human population on the planet into two categories. I would say that “neurotypical” is a diversity as well,.” – Kurt Muzikar, Introduction to “Bozo to Bosons” (not yet published)
11. “For autistic individuals to succeed in this world, they need to find their strengths and the people that will help them get to their hopes and dreams. In order to do so, ability to make and keep friends is a must. Among those friends, there must be mentors to show them the way. A supportive environment where they can learn from their mistakes is what we as a society needs to create for them.” – Bill Wong, Autistic Occupational Therapist
12. “Our wounds and hurts and fears are in our eyes. Humans think they build ‘walls’ for internal privacy. They think eye contact is about honesty but they mostly lie because they think they can hide their intent. Eye contact is invasive.” – Carol Ann Edscorn
13. “Although people with autism look like other people physically, we are in fact very different . . . We are more like travelers from the distant, distant past. And if, by our being here, we could help the people of the world remember what truly matters for the Earth, that might give us quiet pleasure.” – Naoki Higashida, The Reason I Jump
14. “Negative words carry negative vibration. Positive words carry positive vibration. What do you want your child to reflect back to you, the label of disordered or the label of gifted in a new way?” – Suzy Miller, Awesomism
15. “I want Elijah to know that he is loved just the way he is.” – Gee Vero
16. “What makes a child gifted and talented may not always be good grades in school, but a different way of looking at the world and learning.”    – Chuck Grassley
17. “Parents have therapists come in their house and tell them what to do. They give their power away. Parents need to focus on healing and empowering themselves. They must shift their beliefs about autism. Once the parent knows who they are the child will respond.” – Lori Shayew.
18. “Not everyone is perfect. There is always an imperfect side to everyone,” – Finn Christie, Age 10, on making Perfect Babies.
19. “Life is . . . not about counting the losses and the lost expectations, but rather swimming, with as much grace as can be mustered, in the joy of all of it.” – Leisa Hammett
20. “For every 3 years your child is in public school, you can expect one exceptional teacher, one mediocre teacher, and one teacher who makes your life miserable.” – Rick Seward, disability advocate for Alpha Resource Center in Santa Barbara, 2002
21. “The labeling undermines us in so many levels! But people don’t know, they need to be reminded that we too are God’s children. People don’t mean harm because they too are God’s children. Love heals lots of wounds. Love is patient, love is kind; my motto in life. You are loving. Mom has healed her consciousness to allow me to truly reflect my real identity as God’s perfect child. Just don’t let your senses get you fooled, we are more than our bodies. Find the truth so you can reflect your real being.” – Nicole (13 years old, non-verbal, labeled autistic, typed independently on her iPad)
22. “Music therapy, equine therapy, and art therapy are all ‘therapeutic’ because they are a vibrational match. They have elements to them that your child can use at his current level of high-vibrational function to make sense of this lower vibrating world.” – Suzy Miller, Awesomenism
23. “Stop thinking about normal . . . You don’t have a big enough imagination for what your child can become.” – Johnny Seitz, autistic tightrope artists in the movie Loving Lamposts.
24. “The way we look at our children and their limitations is precisely the way they will feel about themselves. We set the examples, and they learn by taking our cue from us.”  – Amalia Starr
25. “English is my 2nd language. Autism is my first.” – Dani Bowman
26. “We are the doorway into a New World Order that is based on love and heart. We have the heart key. We only need the respect of others to learn how to serve wisely and kindly.” – Lyrica, nonverbal, from the book Awetizm
27. “Rome was not built on the first day. I need time to build the Eiffel Tower of my life.” – Jeremy Sicile-Kira
28. “Within every living child exists the most precious bud of self-identity. To search this out and foster it with loving care; that is the essence of educating an autistic child.” – Dr. Kiyo Kitahara
29. “We contain the shapes of trees and the movement of rivers and stars within us.” – Patrick Jasper Lee
30. “When doctors, parents, teachers, therapists, even television describe typical spectrum kids, without meaning to, they’re describing typically male spectrum traits — patterns first noticed by observing boys. Only boys. And we aren’t boys. So they miss and mislabel us.” – Jennifer O’Toole, Asperkids
31. “Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine. ” – Alan Turing, creator of the first computer used to break codes during WW II.
32. “My autism is the reason I’m in college and successful. It’s the reason I’m good in math and science. It’s the reason I care,” – Jacob Barnett, sixteen-year old math and physics prodigy
33. “Think of it: a disability is usually defined in terms of what is missing . . . But autism . . . is as much about what is abundant as what is missing, an over-expression of the very traits that make our species unique.” – Paul Collins, Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism
34. “The concept of neurodiversity provides a paradigm shift in how we think about mental functioning. Instead of regarding large portions of the American public as suffering from deficit, disease, or dysfunction in their mental processing, neurodiversity suggests that we instead speak about differences in cognitive functioning.” – Dr. Thomas Armstrong
35. “My autism makes things shine. Sometimes I think it is amazing but sometimes it is sad when I want to be the same and talk the same and I fail. Playing the piano makes me very happy. Playing Beethoven is like your feelings – all of them – exploding.” – Mikey Allcock, 16-year old who was non-verbal until age 10
36. “By holding the highest vision for your child when they can not see it for themselves, you are lifting them up, elevating them and helping them to soar.” – Megan Koufos
37. “There is no cure for being human,” – Cheri Rauser, mom to Isabell
38. “I know of nobody who is purely autistic or purely neurotypical. Even God had some autistic moments, which is why the planets all spin.”        – Jerry Newport, Your Life is Not a Label
39. “The good and bad in a person, their potential for success or failure, their aptitudes and deficits – they are mutually conditional, arising from the same source. Our therapeutic goal must be to teach the person how to bear their difficulties. Not to eliminate them for him, but to train the person to cope with special challenges with special strategies; to make the person aware not that they are ill, but that they are responsible for their lives. ”  – Hans Asperger
40. “Autism is really more of a difference to be worked with rather than a monolithic enemy that needs to be slain or destroyed.” – Stephen Shore, PhD
41. “I view ‘autistic’ as a word for a part of how my brain works, not for a narrow set of behaviors and certainly not for a set of boundaries of a stereotype that I have to stay inside.” – Amanda Baggs
42. “My autism is like the taste of tepid saké, different but interesting.” – Sue Rubin
43. “Like Asperger, I too would sometimes like to claim a dash of autism for myself. A dash of autism is not a bad way to characterize the apparent detachment and unworldliness of the scientist who is obsessed with one seemingly all-important problem and temporarily forgets the time of day, not to mention family and friends.” – Uta Frith
44. “Even for parents of children who are not on the spectrum, there is no such thing as a normal child.” – Violet Stevens
45. “Our duty in aut­ism is not to cure but to re­lieve suf­fer­ing and to max­im­ize each per­son’s po­ten­tial. ” – John Elder Robison
46. “Disability doesn’t make you exceptional, but questioning what you think you know about it does.” – Stella Young
47. “Being autistic is not about living in a vacuum, sucking in everything around you, living in an existence shutout from your environment. If anything, the environment becomes more real, more painful, more evident.” – Jocelyn Eastman
48. “Vibrant waves of sequenced patterns emerged in my head whenever I looked at musical notes and scores. Like pieces of a mysterious puzzle solved, it was natural for me to see music and its many facets as pictures in my head. It never occurred to me that others couldn’t see what I saw.” – Dr. Stephen Shore
49. “We need to embrace those who are different and the bullies need to be the ones who get off the bus,.” Caren Zucker, co-author of “In a Different Key”
50. “I don’t want my thoughts to die with me, I want to have done something. I’m not interested in power, or piles of money. I want to leave something behind. I want to make a positive contribution – to know that my life has meaning.” – Temple Grandin
51. “Autists are the ultimate square pegs, and the problem with pounding a square peg into a round hole is not that the hammering is hard work. It’s that you’re destroying the peg.” – Paul Collins
52. “Don’t think that there’s a different, better child ‘hiding’ behind the autism. This is your child. Love the child in front of you. Encourage his strengths, celebrate his quirks, and improve his weaknesses, the way you would with any child. You may have to work harder on some of this, but that’s the goal.” – Claire Scovell LaZebnik
53. Do not fear people with Autism, embrace them. Do not spite people with Autism, unite them. Do not deny people with Autism, accept them, for then their abilities will shine.” – Paul Isaacs
54. “I see people with Asperger’s syndrome as a bright thread in the rich tapestry of life.” – Tony Attwood
55. “Autism is as much a part of humanity as is the capacity to dream. ” – Kathleen Seidel
56. “I looked up to the stars and wondered which one I was from.” – James McCue
57. “I see everything in color. I have synesthesia, which means that the part of my brain – that controls the senses – sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste – are wired differently.”  – Jeremy Sicile-Kira
58. “Connection is what moves this world forward. Connection is a profound human experience.” – Jenny Palmiotto, The Therapist Shift
59. “By separating the autism from the person, are we encouraging our patients’ family members to love an imagined non-autistic child that was never born, forgetting about the real person who exists in front of us?” – Christina Nicolaidis, A Physician Speaks
60. “Blue sky may be beautiful but lighting the tall buildings blue is autism-awareness.” – Tito Mukhopadhyay
61. “Autism makes you listen louder. It makes you pay attention on an emotional level as well as an intellectual level.” – Jace King, brother to Taylor Cross, Normal People Scare Me Too
62. “Presume intelligence with all children with autism. Presume all of them are hearing you.” – Lori Shayew, The Gifts of Autism
63. “Autism is about having a pure heart and being very sensitive. It is about finding a way to survive in an overwhelming, confusing world . . . It is about developing differently, in a different pace and with different leaps.” – Trisha Van Berkel
64. “Until we create a nation that regularly wants to employ a person with autism, assure for a quality education for each person with autism, and eliminates the far too many unnecessary obstacles placed in the way of success for a person with autism, we really won’t be as successful as we must. We need to get all in our nation to embrace the belief that each person with autism is valued, respected and held to the highest level of dignity and must be provided every opportunity for the highest quality of life each and every day.” – ASA President Scott Badesch
65. “Showing kindness towards those who are different and embracing our imperfections as proof of our humanness is the remedy for fear. ” – Emma Zurcher-Long of Emma’s Hope Book
66. “Nowhere am I so desperately needed as among a shipload of illogical humans.” – Mr.Spock
67. ” . . . I don’t need to apologize for Reid as much as interpret his behavior for the uninitiated. His actions aren’t immoral or wrong; they just get misconstrued or misinterpreted.” – Andrea Moriarity, One Track Mind: 15 Ways to Amplify Your Child’s Special Interest
68. ” . . . Autistic people are people: they’re not puzzle pieces or baffling enigmas or medical mysteries to be solved, or ‘normal’ people ‘trapped’ in the bodies of autistics or any of that crap that infects so many portrayals of autistic people in both the clinical literature and the popular media. At the same time, I think it’s equally important to celebrate the differences between autistic people and typical people, and to recognize the need for accommodating autism as a significant disability . . . ” Steve Silberman, an Interview with Steve Silberman author of Neurotribes.
70. “Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.” – Frank Zappa
71. “The teacher must have to become autistic.” – Hans Asperger
72. “We have to do away with this nonsense that there is a window of opportunity for a person with autism.” – Barry Prizant, author Uniquely Human at the 2016 Love and Autism Conference
73. “I believe everyone on the planet has their thing and, especially in my experience, autistic people all have a tremendous gift. It’s a matter of finding that gift and nurturing it.” Edie Brannigan, Mother to runner, Mikey Brannigan
74. “As an autistic I can readily see environmental phenomena of sun particles interacting with moisture in the air and rising up from the ground. I thought of these things I could see as sun sparkles and world tails.” – Judy Endow, Painted Words: Aspects of Autism Translated
75. “When I did stims such as dribbling sand through my fingers, it calmed me down. When I stimmed, sounds that hurt my ears stopped. Most kids with autism do these repetitive behaviors because it feels good in some way. It may counteract an overwhelming sensory environment . . .”  – Temple Grandin, Autism Asperger’s Digest, 2011
76. “The experience of many of us is not that ‘insistence on sameness’ jumps out unbidden and unwanted and makes our lives hard, but that ‘insistence on sameness’ is actually a way of adapting to a confusing and chaotic environment . . . ” Dora Raymaker
77. “Autism is here to stay and may be considered a part of the diversity of the human gene pool.” – Dr. Stephen Shore
78. “As soon as a child is capable of understanding, they will know they are different. Just as a diabetic needs insulin, an autistic child needs accommodations . . . The label gave me knowledge and self-awareness.” – Steve Andrews
79. “A person with autism hears every sound intensely magnified. Thus, if the tone of voice is harsh or strict, they will feel scared and threatened and, consequently, may inadvertently scream or even attack. Aggressive behavior is brought on by fear.”  – Joao Carlos Costa, 21, non-verbal, autistic
80. “Therapists and educators have traditionally tried to suppress or modulate a child’s special interest, or use it as a tool for behavior modification: Keep your hands still and stop flapping, and you will get to watch a Star Wars clip; complete your homework or no Harry Potter. But what if these obsessions themselves can be turned into pathways to growth? What if these intellectual cul-de-sacs can open up worlds?” – Scientific American article talking about the documentary Life, Animated
81. “To measure the success of our societies, we should examine how well those with different abilities, including persons with autism, are integrated as full and valued members.” – Ban Ki-Moon, Former United Nations Secretary-General
82. “I need to see something to learn it, because spoken words are like steam to me; they evaporate in an instant, before I have a chance to make sense of them. I don’t have instant-processing skills. Instructions and information presented to me visually can stay in front of me for as long as I need, and will be just the same when I come back to them later. Without this, I live the constant frustration of knowing that I’m missing big blocks of information and expectations, and am helpless to do anything about it.” – Ellen Notbohm, Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
    
83. “[So-called] Mild autism doesn’t mean one experiences autism mildly . . . It means YOU experience their autism mildy. You may not know how hard they’ve had to work to get to the level they are.” – Adam Walton
84. “Are your eyes listening? That’s what needs to happen to hear my writing voice. Because of autism, the thief of politeness and friendship, I have no sounding voice. By typing words I can play with my life and stretch from my world to yours. I become a real person when my words try to reach out to you without my weird body scaring you away. Then I am alive.” – Sarah Stup, Excerpted from “Are your eyes listening? Collected Works” by Sarah Stup
85. “When a family focuses on ability instead of disability, all things are possible . . . Love and acceptance is key. We need to interact with those with autism by taking an interest in their interests.” – Amanda Rae Ross
86. “Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist.” – Eileen Miller, The Girl Who Spoke with Pictures: Autism Through Art
87. “Why should I cry for not being an apple, when I was born an orange, I’d be crying for an illusion, I may as well cry for not being a horse.”       – Donna Williams
88. “Just one step in front of each other, each day. In the end, that is all, we’re expected to take.” – Donna Williams (1963-2017), Footsteps of a Nobody
89. “The difference between high-functioning autism and low-functioning is that high-functioning means your deficits are ignored, and low-functioning means your assets are ignored. ” – Laura Tisoncik
90. “Humane storytelling is the way to advance society’s understanding of #Autism as it has the potential to change people’s hearts and minds.”   – Tom Clements
91. “Let’s give people with autism more opportunities to demonstrate what they feel, what they imagine, what comes naturally to them through humor and the language of sensory experience. As we learn more about autism, let’s not forget to learn from those with autism. There are poets walking among you and they have much to teach.” – Chris Martin,  Unrestricted Interest
92. “Years before doctors informed me of my high-functioning autism and the disconnect it causes between person and language, I had to figure out the world as best I could. I was a misfit. The world was made up of words. But I thought and felt and sometimes dreamed in a private language of numbers.” – Daniel Tammett
93. “Within every child is a connection to one form or another and a potential waiting to be fulfilled.” – Dr. Stephen Mark Shore
94. “Truly I dreamt that my beautiful mom told others my secret about life. Nicely the secret was very easy to say but harder to do. The secret is: believe in your child and believe in yourself.” – Jeremy Sicile-Kira
95. “I draw my inspiration from people and the world. I see the world full of bold colors, and I am fascinated by our differences that make us all special and unique human beings. My inspiration also comes from the fact that everyone in the world has something special to offer, no matter their race, color, religion, or disability. There is beauty in everything I see, and my hope is that the world can see beauty and acceptance through my eyes.” – Ronaldo Byrd, who participated in Created on Ipad gallery
96. “Be thankful for autism. God shines brightest in weakness, and it comes with strengths that enable us to fill certain job roles better than others would (a talent, if you will).” – Peter Lantz
97. “Low pitched notes really make me feel like love might be truly possible. High pitched notes make me feel like I could go  crazy with pain and sadness. Great rhythms can make me feel like life is freedom.” – Jeremy Sicile-Kira
98. “Rather than healing our child of his developmental disability, God healed me of my spiritual disability.” – Diane Dokko
99. “Since understanding and accommodation ​are outside of our locus of control​,​ we can focus on our own coping mechanisms. This allows us to experience and process much more information and see patterns before others.” – Joe Biel
100. “We can use Asperger’s as a super power if we focus.” – Daniel M. Jones
101. “Empowering your young person is the key to giving them the skills they need to live an independent life. If you do things for them that they could learn or even do for themselves by themselves, then you are DISEMPOWERING your young person.” – Tom Iland
102. “Rigid academic and social expectations could wind up stifling a mind that, while it might struggle to conjugate a verb, could one day take us to distant stars.” – Temple Grandin
103. ” . . . when experts speak of social deficits in autism they can neither imagine accompanying benefits nor critically examine their own neurologies. How about a new slogan? Feel globally. Perceive locally.” – Ralph James Savarese, See It Feelingly
104. “It took a while to recognize my freedom from cultural conditioning as a high value benefit that supports my up spiral of independent sovereignty.” – Steve Staniek
105. “Using the term “high-functioning” discounts or dismisses the person’s needs or struggles . . . Using the term “low-functioning” discounts or dismisses a person’s strengths and capabilities.” Tom Iland, The Fallacy of High and Low Functioning Autism
106. “Small talk is our kryptonite. There are few things in this world more disconcerting to my autistic body than loud spaces and small talk – even worse when you combine the two with fluorescent lights.” ” Said Shaiye
107. “I am equal, loved, unique, purposed, and worthy just because I am me.” Kris McElroy

Autism Quotes for Teachers and Parents

These Aspergers and autism quotes will reveal to you just how much a person with autism can achieve and that they should never, for any reason, be treated like they weren’t destined for greatness.

Autism is not something that you can see.

Many people who live with autism look just like any other ordinary person, but in their mind, the world seems different from what it would to someone not on the spectrum.

In the comment section below, let us know which of these autism quotes resonated with you the most.

What are the benefits of reading these autism quotes?

People living with autism have it hard enough, and autism awareness is crucial to better their quality of life and teach others to practice kindness.

In honor of World Autism Day, here are some of our favorite quotes about Aspergers and Autism.

These quotes will help you understand more about autism and:

• life and love
• the perception of those on the spectrum
• awareness

If you like this article, we suggest you explore our most popular quotes article, a list of short inspirational quotes for daily encouragement. 

Look through our complete collection of inspirational quotes here.

Aspergers and Autism quotes in honor of World Autism Day

1. “Nobel prize-calibre geniuses often have certain core autistic features at their heart.” – Allan Snyder

2. “The difference between high-functioning and low-functioning is that high-functioning means your deficits are ignored, and low- functioning means your assets are ignored.” – Laura Tisoncik

You will also enjoy our article on Ghostbusters quotes.

3. “Patience. Patience. Patience. Work to view my autism as a different ability rather than a disability. Look past what you may see as limitations and see the gifts autism has given me. It may be true that I’m not good at eye contact or conversation, but have you noticed that I don’t lie, cheat at games, tattle on my classmates, or pass judgment on other people? Also true that I probably won’t be the next Michael Jordan. But with my attention to fine detail and capacity for extraordinary focus, I might be the next Einstein. Or Mozart. Or Van Gogh.” – Ellen Notbohm

4. “Years before doctors informed me of my high-functioning autism and the disconnect it causes between person and language, I had to figure out the world as best I could. I was a misfit. The world was made up of words. But I thought and felt and sometimes dreamed in a private language of numbers.” – Daniel Tammet

5. “Some people with autism may not be able to speak or answer to their name, but they can still hear your words and feel your kindness.” – Unknown

6. “There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child CAN DO instead of what he can not do.” – Dr. Temple Grandin

7. “Children with autism are colorful – they are often very beautiful and, like the rainbow, they stand out.”― Adele Devine

8. “Why should I cry for not being an apple, when I was born an orange, I’d be crying for an illusion, I may as well cry for not being a horse. ” – Donna Williams

9. “Autism can’t define me. I define autism.” – Kerry Magro

10. “We cry, we scream, we hit out and break things. But still, we don’t want you to give up on us. Please, keep battling alongside us.” – Naoki Higashida

If you enjoy this article, check out our collection of disability quotes to help reevaluate how you think about disabilities.

Autism and Asperger’s quotes about life and love

11. “I might hit developmental and societal milestones in a different order than my peers, but I am able to accomplish these small victories on my own time.” – Haley Moss

12. “If they can’t learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn.” – O. Ivar Lovaas

13. “When a family focuses on ability instead of the disability, all things are possible…Love and acceptance is key. We need to interact with those with autism by taking an interest in their interests.” – Amanda Rae Ross

14. “There is nothing to be ashamed of. Every child is a blessing.”

15. “Autism is part of my child, it’s not everything he is. My child is so much more than a diagnosis.” – S.L. Coelho

16. “Kids need to be encouraged to stretch their shine!” – Amanda Friedman

17. “Someone with #Autism has taught me love needs no words.”

18. “To measure the success of our societies, we should examine how well those with different abilities, including persons with autism, are integrated as full and valued members.” – Ban Ki-Moon

19. “I always find it kind of funny that normal people are always saying autistic children ‘live in their own little world.’ When you work with animals for a while you start to realize you can say the same thing about normal people. There’s a great big, beautiful world out there that a lot of normal folks are just barely taking in. Autistic people and animals are seeing a whole register of the visual world normal people can’t, or don’t. ” – Dr. Temple Grandin

20. “I am different. Not less.” – Dr. Temple Grandin

Autism quotes that will change the way you think

21. “When enough people care about autism or diabetes or global warming, it helps everyone, even if only a tiny fraction actively participate.” – Seth Godin

22. “It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of that village.” – Elaine Hall

23. “I’ve learned that every human being, with or without disabilities, needs to strive to do their best, and by striving for happiness you will arrive at happiness. For us, you see, having autism is normal—so we can’t know for sure what your ‘normal’ is even like. But so long as we can learn to love ourselves, I’m not sure how much it matters whether we’re normal or autistic.” – Naoki Higashida

24. “There’s a saying within the Asperger community: if you’ve met one person with Asperger’s syndrome, you’ve met one person with Asperger’s syndrome… Within this condition, beneath this label, the variety of personality, of humor, of behavior, is infinite. ” – Hugh Dancy

25. “Don’t think that there’s a different, better child ‘hiding’ behind the autism. This is your child. Love the child in front of you. Encourage his strengths, celebrate his quirks, and improve his weaknesses, the way you would with any child.” – Claire Scovell LaZebnik

26. “Children with autism develop all kinds of enthusiasms… perhaps focusing on one topic gives the child a sense of control, of predictability and security in a world that can be unpredictable and feel scary.” – Barry M. Prizant

27. “Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.” – Frank Zappa

28. “Autism… offers a chance for us to glimpse an awe-filled vision of the world that might otherwise pass us by.”- Dr. Colin Zimbleman

29. “Autism makes you listen louder. It makes you pay attention to an emotional level as well as an intellectual level.”- Jace King

30. “Your child with autism has unlimited potential, just like everyone else.” – Dr. Temple Grandin

Autism quotes to bring awareness

31. “We need to learn to accept and celebrate our differences. And we need to continue our research in Autism Spectrum Disorder in order to understand how we can best lend a helping hand.” – Alan Rosales

32. “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” — Dr. Seuss

33. “The most interesting people you’ll find are ones that don’t fit into your average cardboard box. They’ll make what they need, they’ll make their own boxes.” –Dr. Temple Grandin

34. “His autism isn’t contagious but his smile is.” –  Anonymous Autism Parent

35. “English is my 2nd language. Autism is my first.” – Dani Bowman

36. “On World Autism Awareness Day we speak out against discrimination, celebrate the diversity of our global community and strengthen our commitment to inclusion for people with autism. ” – Antonio Guterres, United Nations

37. “We contain the shapes of trees and the movement of rivers and stars within us.” – Patrick Jasper Lee

38. “What would happen if the autism gene was eliminated from the gene pool? You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socializing and not getting anything done.” – Dr. Temple Grandin

39. “Autism is like a rainbow. It has a bright side and a darker side. But every shade is important and beautiful.” – Rosie Tennant Doran

40. “Autism is a mental developmental disorder and its something that makes it very difficult for people to communicate and form relationships’… don’t you think it’s time we came up with a new definition?” – Kevin Chapman, YouTuber

41. “I look at autism like a bus accident, and you don’t become cured from a bus accident, but you can recover.” — Jenny McCarthy

42. “On World autism awareness Day there is a global recognition not only of autism but also the immense potential of persons with autism. ” – Imran Khan, Pakistan Prime Minister

43. “It seems that for success in science and art, a dash of autism is essential.” — Hans Asperger

More autism quotes and sayings

44. “I am autistic and I am proud.” – Sez Francis, Autism Advocate

45. “Autism is really more of a difference to be worked with rather than a monolithic enemy that needs to be slain or destroyed.” – Stephen Shore, PhD

46. “On the other hand, I think cats have Asperger’s. Like me, they’re smart. And like me, sometimes they simply need to be left alone.” — Jodi Picoult

47. “Even for parents of children that are not on the spectrum, there is no such thing as a normal child.” – Violet Stevens

48. “I also have Asperger’s but I can manage it. It wasn’t diagnosed until the early Eighties when my wife persuaded me to see a doctor. One of my symptoms included my obsession with ghosts and law enforcement — I carry around a police badge with me, for example. I became obsessed by Hans Holzer, the greatest ghost hunter ever. That’s when the idea of my film Ghostbusters was born.” — Dan Aykroyd

49. “Who do you think made the first stone spears? The Asperger guy. If you were to get rid of all the autism genetics, there would be no more Silicon Valley.” – Dr. Temple Grandin

50. “Autism is not contagious, but my smile is.” – Unknown

51. “If I could snap my fingers and be nonautistic, I would not. Autism is part of what I am.” – Dr. Temple Grandin

52. “Autism doesn’t have to define a person. Artists with autism are like anyone else: They define themselves through hard work and individuality.” – Adrienne Bailon

53. “I see people with Asperger’s syndrome as a bright thread in the rich tapestry of life.” – Tony Attwood

54. “Autistic today. Genius tomorrow.”- Unknown

55. “Autism is part of my child. It’s not everything he is. My child is so much more than a diagnosis.” – S.L. Coelho

56. “Remember a person with Autism isn’t a set of symptoms or statistics always remember and remind them that they’re a person first.” – Paul Isaacs

Inspiring Autism Quotes for Awareness

57. “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” – Dr. Stephen Shore

58. “And now I know it is perfectly natural for me not to look at someone when I talk. Those of us with Asperger’s are just not comfortable doing it. In fact, I don’t really understand why it’s considered normal to stare at someone’s eyeballs.” – John Elder Robison

59. “I’ve listened enough. It’s time for me to speak, however it may sound. Through an electronic device, my hands, or my mouth. Now it’s your time to listen. Are you ready?” – Neal Katz

60. “Our wounds and hurts and fears are in our eyes. Humans think they build ‘walls’ for internal privacy. They think eye contact is about honesty but they mostly lie because they think they can hide their intent. Eye contact is invasive.” – Carol Ann Edscorn

61. “Although people with autism look like other people physically, we are in fact very different… We are more like travelers from the distant, distant past. And if, by our being here, we could help the people of the world remember what truly matters for the Earth, that might give us quiet pleasure.” – Naoki Higashida

62. “Negative words carry negative vibration. Positive words carry positive vibration. What do you want your child to reflect back to you, the label of disordered or the label of gifted in a new way?” – Suzy Miller

63. “I want Elijah to know that he is loved just the way he is.” – Gee Vero

64. “What makes a child gifted and talented may not always be good grades in school, but a different way of looking at the world and learning.” – Chuck Grassley

65. “Not everyone is perfect. There is always an imperfect side to everyone,” – Finn Christie

66. “The way we look at our children and their limitations is precisely the way they will feel about themselves. We set the examples, and they learn by taking our cue from us.” – Amalia Starr

Autism Quotes To Make Autistic People A Part Of The Society

67. “Do not fear people with Autism. Embrace them. Do not spite people with Autism. Unite them. Do not deny people with Autism. Accept them, for then their abilities will shine.” — Paul Isaacs

68. “Autism is as much a part of humanity as is the capacity to dream.” — Kathleen Seidel

69. “Autism is about having a pure heart and being very sensitive. It is about finding a way to survive in an overwhelming, confusing world… It is about developing differently, at a different pace and with different leaps.” — Trisha Van Berkel

70. “Autistic people are individuals. We are not all math geniuses, we don’t all like trains. I am hopeless with technology and much prefer painting. There is no ‘typical Autistic.’ But I think we probably all like being respected and validated.” — Jeanette Purkis

71. “…when experts speak of social deficits in autism, they can neither imagine accompanying benefits nor critically examine their own neurologies. How about a new slogan? Feel globally. Perceive locally.” — Ralph James Savarese

72. “Be thankful for autism. God shines brightest in weakness, and it comes with strengths that enable us to fill certain job roles better than others would (a talent, if you will).” — Peter Lantz

73. “Humane storytelling is the way to advance society’s understanding of #Autism as it has the potential to change people’s hearts and minds.” — Tom Clements

74. “[So-called] Mild autism doesn’t mean one experiences autism mildly… It means YOU experience their autism mildy. You may not know how hard they’ve had to work to get to the level they are.” — Adam Walton

75. “A person with autism hears every sound intensely magnified. Thus, if the tone of voice is harsh or strict, they will feel scared and threatened and, consequently, may inadvertently scream or even attack. Aggressive behavior is brought on by fear.” — Joao Carlos Costa

76. “Autism is here to stay and may be considered a part of the diversity of the human gene pool.” — Dr. Stephen Shore

Which quote about autism speaks to you?

Autism is a complex psychological disorder.

Understanding what it is and knowing that real people live with it every day is an important part of being able to offer support.

Let us know which of these autism quotes resonated with you in the comment section below.

If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends on social media!

Related Topics:Quotes

Elon Musk admitted to having Asperger’s syndrome

May 09, 2021

org/BreadcrumbList”>
• Billionaires

• Timur Batyrov

  Editorial Forbes

Billionaire Elon Musk admitted that he has Asperger’s Syndrome. This is an autism spectrum disorder whose carriers have difficulties with communication and socialization, but they often have increased cognitive and verbal abilities

Billionaire Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has admitted that he has Asperger’s Syndrome. He stated this on the air of the Saturday Night Live television program on NBC, which he hosted.

“I’m honored to host Saturday Night Live. <...> My performance today is historic because I am the first SNL host with Asperger’s. Or at least the first one to admit it,” Musk said.

“Elon’s tweet does not match reality”: Tesla doubts the ability to release a drone by the end of the year

In fact, the head of Tesla is not the first show host to be diagnosed with this. In 2003, a former TV show participant, actor and comedian Dan Aykroyd, who repeatedly spoke about having Asperger’s syndrome, became the host of one of the editions of Saturday Night Live, the Daily Beast notes.

Asperger’s syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder. Its owners have difficulties with communication and socialization, but they often have increased cognitive and verbal abilities. Billionaire PayPal founder Peter Thiel noted that many successful entrepreneurs have a “mild form” of this syndrome, or traits of it. According to him, they allow you to create real innovations in a conformist environment, not paying attention to social conventions.

“Look, I know I sometimes say and write weird things, that’s how my brain works. To everyone I offended, I want to say the following. I reinvented electric cars and send people to Mars, you thought I would be a calm and normal dude?” Musk said in his welcoming speech.

Elon Musk became the highest paid CEO in the US

Musk was announced to host an episode of Saturday Night Live in April. Critics noted that this was a “strange choice” for a comedy TV show, and the presenter should have “at least some talents other than wealth.”

The CEO of Tesla is not the first businessman to have been approached to host Saturday Night Live. In November 2015, Donald Trump became the host of one of the episodes. Then the show was hit with a wave of criticism from Trump’s opponents, pointing to the “belligerent and racist rhetoric” of his presidential campaign.

Visionary Thoughts: All Elon Musk’s Inventions

7 photos

Wrong children, useless people – RIA Novosti, 05/26/2021

https://ria.ru/20120618/675783262.html

Wrong children, useless people

Wrong children, useless people – RIA Novosti, 05/26/2021

Wrong children, useless people

“I thought it was only hard for autists to find a soul mate, but it turns out to be a job. I’ll go hang myself.. When a person without legs walks, you can immediately see a disabled person, good people sympathize, sometimes they even share their financial resources. ”

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a diagnosis that does not exist, analytics

a diagnosis that does not exist, analytics

Polina Orlova, RIA Novosti.

“I thought it was only hard for autists to find a soul mate, but it turns out to be a job. I’ll go hang myself… When a person without legs walks, you can immediately see a disabled person, good people sympathize, sometimes they even share money. And here – in appearance like an ordinary one, you won’t say it right away, that’s what’s bad. Maybe we should put a brand on our foreheads?”

This is a quote from a support group forum for people with Asperger’s Syndrome (group website). Asperger’s Syndrome is one of the forms of autism, and the most mild one. But it can also make a person’s life much more difficult.

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about the fact that the number of autism diagnoses worldwide is steadily increasing. And although experts tend to attribute these statistics to improved quality of diagnosis, the number of visits to the Asperger’s support group site speaks volumes about the problem. For six months, 86,282 people visited this site.

It has long been believed that by the age of 18, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is either cured or transformed into schizophrenia. But it is now clear that children with autism are growing up into adults with autism, who do not always fare well in our society, even though they often have talents and abilities that are not available to ordinary people.

Wrong children

In the second grade, a new girl, Lena, came to our school. She was immediately disliked. Firstly, it was full, and secondly, it was strange. She could talk for hours about dogs, laughed out of place, and once she climbed onto the partition in the women’s toilet and refused to come down.

Lena also played the piano better than our music teacher: once she performed intricate etudes for half a lesson and even sang along with herself. Classmates fell silent, digesting this sight. As a result, Lena was persecuted at recess with redoubled enthusiasm: her textbooks and notebooks flew all over the class. It’s good that her parents soon took her away from our school.

Possibly, Lena had some mental problems. Maybe it was autism, maybe not. But her main problem was not behavioral oddities, but we – “normal” and evil children. She was just different and paid for it.

Three young people, members of a Moscow support group for people with Asperger’s Syndrome, who agreed on condition of anonymity to talk about what it was like to be “aspic” in a society of “neurotypicals”, that is, non-autistic people, also had unpleasant memories after school.

“A crowd began to take up arms against me”

We made an appointment at the Muzeon art park. The group members sent not only detailed instructions, but also a map on which the meeting point was marked with a red arrow. The neurotypical correspondent put it in his pocket and, of course, came to the wrong place.

But the punctual aspics were sympathetic. From childhood, they learn to understand the logic of inconsistent neurotypicals. For them, this is a matter of survival.

“At school, the attitude of peers was very negative, although I did nothing specifically to deserve such an attitude,” says Anna, a thin, pretty girl in half-face sunglasses. “I was a typical black sheep, against me began to take up arms in a mob. Boycotts were organized for me, they attacked me, and spoiled things.”

Antonina, informal support group leader, had a similar experience. But as a tougher person, she managed to put an end to it:

“For the first three years, my classmates beat me, no talk had any effect on them,” she says. “They stopped beating me only when I nearly strangled one of them. In a state, as I now know, which is called “meltdown”.

Antonina is a beautiful brunette; There are very few specialists in Russia who understand ASD, so many autistic people sat down to read books to understand their own condition and help themselves.0005

“When trying to talk to Russian psychotherapists about ASD in adults, I basically heard that in all Americas and Israel there is nothing to do and nowhere to put money, and our psychiatry believes that by adulthood autism either disappears or transforms into schizophrenia, – says Antonina. – True, two specialists indirectly admitted that ASD may continue into adulthood, but they will never give me an official conclusion, as this will turn the psychiatric society against them. ”

When the world around us is one big collage

We met at the rush hour, Krymsky Val roars nearby. An ambulance stuck in traffic turns on the siren. And then, in front of my eyes, strange things begin to happen to Antonina and Anna. Until that moment, it was almost impossible to understand that something was wrong with them. But now they are silent, covering their faces and ears with their hands – the girls are literally writhing.

Aleksey, the third participant of the meeting, apparently not so sensitive to noise, is also frightened: “Antonina, is the escalation starting?” – “The level of incoming sound information is too high …” The answer is quite in the spirit of Antonina.

We jump off our favorite bench and almost run deep into the park. What just happened is called sensory overload. When the brain receives more stimuli than it can process, the autistic person begins to experience very specific sensations. Aleksey explained that it did not hurt, but it was very unpleasant and could provoke a tantrum.

This intelligent young man was first diagnosed with autism when he was about 6 years old. “Then it sounded like traits of an autistic personality,” says Alexey. “For a long time I did not understand what was happening to me. I perceived the weak degree of sensory disintegration that I have as the norm. several people talking at the same time, it turns out a mess of sounds in the head. I thought that everyone could not hear speech on the background of the freeway, for example. I thought that all people at dances could experience fragmentation and mix up objects in the background. ”

Fragmentation of visual images turns the world around into one big collage. But since adult autism was not recognized at all for a long time, there was simply no one to hint to Alexei that something special was happening to him. It wasn’t until the girl he started dating stated that his social intelligence was at the level of a five-year-old that he decided to dot the i’s: he scoured the internet, came across an article on Asperger’s syndrome on Wikipedia, and diagnosed himself.

Alexithymia: how do I feel?

After that more or less successful work on oneself became possible. To cope with communication difficulties and some clumsiness inherent in autistic people, Alexei signed up for dancing and acting classes.

Now, in everyday contact with him, it is almost impossible to notice anything unusual. Well, except that he peers too closely into the face of the interlocutor, trying to decipher his reaction.

The fact is that another feature of autistic people is a reduced ability to determine the emotional state. It even happens that an autistic child does not isolate another person from the world of objects.

“Depending on the severity of the ASD, it happens that only basic emotions reach – anger, fear, joy. And then, if they are shown clearly. And it happens that they do not go away,” says Alexey.

But the most amazing thing is that autistic people are not always able to distinguish even their own emotions. This does not mean that they do not experience them. They just can’t rate them. Scientifically, this is called alexithymia.

“First, we notice some physiological signs, for example, a rapid heartbeat,” says Antonina. “There is heaviness in the muscles. We understand that this is not due to fatigue, but to some kind of emotion. in memory of similar circumstances and select suitable names. For example, I can say that I am happy now, but at the same time, with exactly the same internal state, I can say that I am sad now. And for me it will be just a bunch of words. Do you understand?”

“For example, I can be aware that I’m shaking for some reason,” says Alexei, “but I can’t understand that I’m angry at that moment…”

“I could give a kidney to my friend”

All this is too exotic for a neurotypical, who, according to Antonina, captures emotions “as naturally as breathing.”

“Now you probably want to ask if we can be friends?” she asks, her voice sounding sarcastic. In any case, this is what the suspicious neurotypical correspondent hears. Perhaps such curiosity is really insulting. But my interlocutors are ready to answer even unasked questions. They really want to talk about themselves.

“Many autistic people have both friendships and personal lives. Maybe it’s not so strongly colored by emotions. But I, for example, could donate a kidney to my friend if it was required,” says Antonina. And adds: “I understand that with my lifestyle, I could live well with one kidney.” both successful and not very successful relationships with neurotypical girls.Some relationships had to be interrupted, as the girl turned out to be “too emotional”, which provoked tantrums and breakdowns in him.0005

As for Antonina, she clearly refuses the opportunity to have children.

“I won’t be able to fully fulfill my mother’s duties,” she says. “Besides, there is a danger of getting autistic offspring. living with an autistic person for five years. It was the best relationship of my life.”

“You are a much more complex system”

In parting, Antonina formulates the main reason why they, people who avoid any unnecessary communication, agreed to give an interview: “We want to be taught to understand this world. Just tell us what you are. But instead we often get ridicule and bullying at school age, and then isolation or accusations of simulation and hypochondria.”

“Your brain is arranged differently, you are a much more complex system compared to us. This is true,” and Antonina cuts down objections with a gesture. gift,” she continues. “It’s a severe developmental disorder that makes life very difficult as an adult. When you come to this understanding, you begin to learn to coexist with this world. But if in response to your attempts you get rejection, then the statistics on suicide of autistic people, high rates of unemployment and unsettled personal life.”

“We don’t demand anything special, we just don’t need to isolate us from society,” she says. “We also need communication. And work. People with ASD are capable of a lot. quite capable of working. I think it’s the job of neurotypical people to try to understand us.”

Amazing abilities

In Russia, autistic people are judged mainly by the film “Rain Man”. But its main character is a savant, that is, an autistic genius. There are few such people in the world. In general, autistic people have an average level of intelligence.

But Aleksey, Antonina and Anna are also exceptions: they are extraordinarily smart. The high level of intelligence allowed them to find their place in our far from tolerant society.

Only once did her mother show the letters to Anna. That was enough: soon she was already reading books on her own. Now Anna is engaged in “analytical work”, but she refused to tell about her profession in more detail.

Antonina remembers herself from one year and seven months. She was given to be raised by her great-grandmother, who took care of her and protected her from sensory impulses that caused her tantrums: she closed the windows with cardboard, did not allow her peers to tease her. No one thought to teach Antonina to read. Her usual toys were scraps of newspapers.

Laying out and sorting them according to one system known to her, she learned to read. At school, Antonina shone in mathematics and physics, in the last classes she completed all the options for tests at once in 15 minutes and left, leaving the solutions on the desk.

Her classmates, who used to bully her, diligently copied her. Now Antonina is engaged in system administration and programming. This job allows her to minimize all personal contact.

Alexey’s school years were more successful, classmates were tolerant of his peculiarities. He graduated from high school with a gold medal, and university with honors. Now Alexey is engaged in science, he is a chemist-calculator.

But not all autistic people have such a successful fate.

“We are on the absolutely right path!”

The Center for Social Adaptation and Vocational Training at Technological College No. 21 is probably the only educational institution in Moscow that is trying to integrate its students, adults with disabilities, into society. The students of the Center tend to have a complex defect structure, and many have autistic traits.

Creative craft workshops are open here, where children learn carpentry, pottery, sewing and weaving. Here you can also buy wonderful souvenirs that come out of their hands.

Ceramic artist Tatyana Chemodanova, who teaches classes in a pottery workshop, said that almost all of her students are amazingly talented. In an incomprehensible way, their ceramics literally radiate energy. Once, quite healthy students who were practicing at the Center took part in the group’s classes. Their works could be distinguished immediately, as they were commonplace.

The head of the center, Olga Volkova, has just returned from a trip to Israel, where, together with the Russian delegation, she studied how the system of rehabilitation of people with disabilities works there. She brought dates from there, candles burned with blessed fire, and a huge charge of optimism.

“We are on the absolutely right path! If we had money, we would do even better here than in Israel. We would only need to find 60-70 thousand dollars now, and we would also open a candle production in the Center. ”

“Please have pity on me”

Olga Volkova is not a standard education official. At first, she oversaw a similar project – professional workshops – in a public organization, the Center for Curative Pedagogics. Then we managed to establish cooperation with Technological College No. 21.

Olga’s own niece suffers from a rare genetic disease: Williams syndrome. Therefore, the daughter of Olga herself always treated her mother’s students as the most ordinary people, maybe a little different from us.

But the majority is not yet ready to accept people with disabilities in a friendly way. Olga says that when her daughter went to a summer camp with the students of the Center, and then enthusiastically told her classmates about it and showed them the documentary filmed there, they “looked at her like she was a fool.”

In Israel, Olga was struck by the fact that people with disabilities work there even in the Knesset, that is, in parliament: “There is a boy, I see that he is “ours”. each such worker is entitled to an escort who must be in the Knesset at least one day a week, and on other days he can come at any time as needed.

The Center dreams that their pupils, after completing their studies, would remain working in handicraft workshops, where they could communicate and even earn some money. Of course, the ideal option is to employ the former pupil outside the Center, but so far this has not happened: the children have too severe violations.

However, there is work that they love and can do. In college, they feel needed and healthy. It would be nice if it was the same outside its walls. After all, society is also healthy if there are no outcasts in it.

Already at the exit, a young guy approached the college teacher, strong, short, with a smile on his face. He took a crumpled handkerchief from his pocket, stained with dried blood, and said: “And we fought. And I was wounded. You see, my nose bled!” And then he suddenly added: “Please have pity on me.