“Autism destroys families.” That’s what US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had to say recently. For those of us who have made it despite such misinformation, they couldn’t be further from reality. Consider the case of a woman who was diagnosed with autism and ADHD when she was 25 years old. In spite of the obstacles, she was able to graduate from college, marry, and is now a published writer. Her experience demonstrates the strength of information and acceptance.
Most remain undiagnosed because they are ignorant or it is expensive to diagnose. More and more adults are gaining insight as autism is better understood. For others, the diagnosis frees them and makes things clearer so that they can work with their strengths and cope better with challenges.
The value of acceptance cannot be underestimated. One study in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders puts the role of autism acceptance into perspective in being able to predict mental health outcomes. Being accepted by family, friends, and society is vital, but self acceptance is vital as well. Individuals who accept their neurodivergence have improved mental health outcomes and self esteem.
Existing in the world as a neurodiverse adult is overwhelming, particularly in spaces not created with sensory needs in mind. Take the case of autistic persons in dentist offices, for instance. Discount lighting, conflicting sounds, and off tastes can be stifling. Technology such as the sensory intelligent dental environment created by scientists at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles works towards more accommodating spaces. These settings lower levels of anxiety and stress, and dental visits are less of an issue for sensory sensitive people.
Portrayal in media is also an area where some progress is necessary. The romance fiction genre, for example, has historically been neurotypical dominated. But authors such as Helen Hoang and Chloe Liese are reversing that trend by devising romance fiction books with neurodivergent protagonists. Written by neurodiverse authors themselves, these books offer realistic depictions of love and relationships. They challenge the likelihood of neurodivergent people having to fit neurotypical molds in life.
For others who are seeking a diagnosis, it is worth noting that there is help and resources available. A formal diagnosis can be the gateway to services and protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It can also provide access to vocational support services, which enable people to uncover meaningful careers. But for many of those benefits, aside from the practical benefits, a diagnosis can validate one’s experiences and bring feelings of belonging.
Lastly, neurodivergence is bigger than diagnosis and representation. It’s about the worth in every single human being, independent of what their brain is like. As the woman who went against convention and thrived as a writer shows us, neurodivergent people can do great things. They are not their diagnoses, and they enrich our world in countless ways.
To those who live with a late diagnosis, be comforted that you are not alone. There exists a community of neurodivergent individuals and allies who are fighting for acceptance and understanding. By sharing stories and spaces, we can dismantle myths and affirm the rich diversity of human experience.
