Autism: a persuasive developmental disorder, characterized by impaired communication, excessive rigidity, and emotional detachment.

It is very important to become aware of what Autism is and what it isn't. Having autism does not define who you are or what you can do. Though it can be challenging, it does not limit the person you can be. To understand autism, one must challenge demoralizing stereotypes.

My opinion, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. We’ve all learned this at some point during elementary school. Words can really hurt a person. Many people believe that being autistic makes you dumb, stupid, and/or unintelligent. Some people go as far as to call them "re******" (I refuse to type out the word because it is rude). Autistic individuals understand everything you say whether it’s nice or not. You have to remember they are people just like you and I, just with a disorder that affects their brain development. People with autism have learning disabilities but that has nothing to do with how intelligent they are. I have worked with many autistic children and adults, and those were some of the smartest people I have ever met. They are also the most loving people if you give them a chance. Have lunch, go out for tea, or go to a football game with them. They like making friends just as much as you do, actually, maybe even more than you do.

A big misconception about autism is that all autistic people are the same. THAT IS NOT TRUE. That literally is impossible because two people are the same. Autism comes in a variety of forms. Everyone is different in their own way, just like any “normal” person.

Autism Awareness is a huge step to understanding a group of people who are a little different than you. You have to understand that someone’s disability won’t always be caught by the naked eye. Please remember they have feelings and emotions too. Don’t ignore someone because they act a certain way or are socially awkward. Understand that it can make a bigger difference in their life than you might think.