Autism spectrum disorder does not need to be defeated or solved. Instead, it must be celebrated. The U.S. Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), disagrees and in doing so, his rhetoric is creating a bubble of ignorance surrounding autism. This content is filling a section of social media with misinformed and malicious content about autism. Now more than ever, it is crucial to support the autism community to preserve and promote the reality of living with a spectrum disorder. We must do this by engaging with positive autism awareness, especially in the media.
RFK spreads misinformation
RFK is harming the autism community with his ill-willed agenda. The U.S. Health Secretary is on a mission to end what he has called an “autism epidemic,” seeking to rid future generations of the disorder. He is doing so because he is focused on what he believes this community cannot do. Due to this malicious ideology, RFK wants to get rid of autism on claims that people with autism cannot provide value to our country. At a recent press conference, the Secretary of Health listed activities he believes autistic people are not capable of. He said, “These are kids who will never pay taxes, they’ll never hold a job, they’ll never play baseball, they’ll never write a poem, they’ll never go on a date, many of them will never use a toilet unassisted.”
This narrow-minded message lacks empathy and understanding for the autism community. It is ignorant to generalize a community based on challenges. Instead, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges of living with autism spectrum disorder to provide understanding and aid. We must extend a helping hand where needed rather than expecting economic benefit. There must not be a stigma or a tax on one’s limitations.
We must re-direct
We must acknowledge the vibrant brilliance that the autism community adds to our nation. Now more than ever, it is important to choose positivity over negativity. We must support and uplift the autism community.
In an interview about positive surrounding autism awareness, Adam Danos, a local advocate with the Neuro-Inclusive Autism Community Coalition (NACC), said, “If you want to make the change happen, you have to be out there to make the change happen.”
We must act now to continue the work that has been put into spreading positive awareness for autism.
“I would like my peers to know it’s okay to be different and it’s okay to take chances,” Danos said. It is important to see the value of the differences in our community. We must not only understand and celebrate these differences but also ensure equitable accessibility for resources in our community.
“I would like to be seen in the media as positive and to have a positive impact on our society,” Danos said. It is up to our community as a whole to direct the narrative of how we spread information in the media about autism. Do not fall susceptible to a misinformed agenda from the government. We must follow the lead of the autism community instead of those wishing to exploit them.
The best way to promote positive autism awareness in the media is to support creators who share positive and true experiences.
“Love on the Spectrum” promotes positive awareness
The Netflix show “Love on the Spectrum” has filled social media feeds with positive autism awareness. This show follows multiple individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as they seek to find love with others in their community. This show has been just as popular in short form on social media platforms such as TikTok, spreading positive awareness to many across the nation. The overwhelming amount of positive connections that this show has produced is an excellent step for autism awareness.
“Love on the Spectrum” allows people with autism to have a platform to educate and show the world what living with their condition can look and feel like. When speaking about the show, Danos said, “It’s promoting awareness and acceptance. And I just like to see acceptance more than awareness, because we need to see more acceptance in our community.”
It is evident that our country is rooting for the autism community, and RFK does not have the power to tear it down. Within the media, it is inevitable to avoid hate-filled agendas and speech. That said, we are responsible for always promoting positivity and truth over misinformation. In doing so, we encourage and celebrate what makes us unique within our communities.
@shannonakinwrites.bsky.social
The post Opinion: Spread Truth With Positive Autism Awareness first appeared on The Daily Utah Chronicle.