Autism is defined as referring to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), there are 13 categorized disabilities. These range from intellectual disabilities such as Down Syndrome, to traumatic brain injuries.

As a Special Education major at Illinois State University, I am proud to say that I am going to be working with a variety of individuals who are all capable of extraordinary things. And that's what I want to talk about in this article.

Individuals with disabilities have been portrayed very rarely in the mainstream media. And when they are, it's often depicted as a pitiful character, as someone who is incapable of living a normal life. And when they attempt to live a normal life, they are met with intense opposition and endure extreme hardships just to live like everyone else.

Now the second part of my previous statement is completely true, most individuals with disabilities who attempt to live what is considered a "normal life" often face challenges.

However, the last thing they are is incapable, and the last thing anyone wants is your pity.

It's no secret that I love movies, and I think that they are a great way for people to get away for a couple hours and escape their problems. While most studios have done extensive research before making any movie with a character who has a disability, there is one thing most have in common: they portray the character as pitiful.

Now, I am not faulting anyone who watches these movies and enjoys them, however, I feel that it is important to remind everyone that they are as capable as anyone else. Some may need accommodations or may complete a task differently, but they can do it.

There's a narrative that has been pushed by our society that we live a "normal" life, and individuals with disabilities are constantly striving to achieve that "normal" life.

First of all, the idea of "normal" is relative. Someone who lives in Manhattan would consider insane traffic as normal, but to someone who lives in a rural environment, it's absolutely insane. There was a TV movie published in 1979 titled "Like Normal People," which depicted a couple who both have disabilities trying to get married. First of all, if the existence of Jake Paul and 6ix9ine have taught us anything, it is that there is no such thing as a normal person.

We need to stop this divide between what we consider to be "normal" and those who aren't.

There is a show on Netflix entitled "Atypical," which chronicles the life of a teenager who has autism as he navigates the social maze that is high school. And for once, I have a found a show that depicts a character with disabilities not as pitiful, but as triumphant. I have a stutter, and while I have been able to accomplish many things in my life, they were met with walls that I had to climb over, and I wanted to leave you with one last statement...

BREAK DOWN THOSE WALLS!