AUTISM AMBASSADORS CORPS’ GOAL #5: Teach Autistics how to advocate for themselves

Many autistics function at a high enough level to be able to educate others about themselves.  This requires them to combine their personal experiences with a scientific understanding of autism’s neurological roots.  This allows them to…

 a.    …have hope that many of their struggles may self correct in time or at the very least be managed.

b.    …convey this hope to their loved ones.

 c.    …help autistics develop so that they need as little special assistance as possible, especially professional and governmental.

d.    …learn what special gifts that their autistic neural configuration gives them.

 e.    …help others understand their autism and what can be done to manage it more effectively.

  f.    …help others to recognize their unique strengths so they can be better utilized.

g.    …work with those who are open to embracing, as much as humanly possible, a “team” concept for getting things done. They allow autistics to focus more of their energies on what they are best at while letting others “have their back” in areas of their greatest weaknesses.

h.    …defend themselves from false allegations about their atypical tendencies by enabling them to give a scientific explanation as to why they are the way they are.

  i.    …express to others the devastating effects of mistreatment they have suffered as well as wrongful judgments made about them.   These have had a devastating effect on their emotional wellbeing.

  j.    …remind those whom they interact with of the concept of “late bloomers.”  There is an abundance of documented evidence that many children who were viewed as developmentally delayed early in life blossomed later on.  Some of these late bloomers have been regarded as some of the greatest geniuses of all time.

Some autistics who do not function at as high of a level may at the very least be able to be taught to express some of their thoughts that they would like others to know about themselves.  Just because they may not be able to express themselves verbally, does not mean that they may not be able to express themselves in other ways.  Some may be able to be taught to use a speaking devise, writing, typing, signing, picture cards, etc.