Autism - A different way to see the world!

Why doesn’t he look me in the eye?"

"She never joins the group at recess."

"He can recite the whole train schedule, but struggles to say hello."

You’ve probably seen or heard stories like these — in schools, on social media, or whispered behind backs. These are the kinds of questions that often emerge when someone doesn’t fit society’s idea of “typical.” But maybe the problem isn’t with them. Maybe it’s with what we expect “normal” to look like.

Let’s talk about Autism — not as something to be feared, but as something to understand, embrace, and celebrate.

What Is Autism, Really?

Autism, clinically known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition — meaning it affects how a person’s brain grows, processes information, and interacts with the world.

But here’s the key: Autism is not a disease.

It’s not something to be “cured.”

It’s a different way of existing — a different cognitive style, a different rhythm, a different sensory experience of the world.

Autism affects:

How a person communicates (both verbally and non-verbally)

How they socialize and relate to others

How they experience sensory input (light, noise, touch, smell, etc.)

Their patterns of thought and behavior, which may include strong routines or deep interests

And here’s what people often forget:

Autism is a spectrum.

This means that each autistic person is unique — with their own strengths, challenges, and quirks.

The Power of Labels — and the Damage They Can Do

Many people still associate autism with outdated stereotypes:

“Autistic people don’t feel emotions.”

“They can’t talk or learn.”

“They’re all like Rain Man — math geniuses or socially awkward.”

Wrong. Harmful. Limiting.

The truth is:

Many autistic people feel emotions intensely, sometimes even more than neurotypicals.

Some speak fluently, some use assistive devices, and some don’t speak at all — none of these are less valid.

Some may have incredible memory or pattern recognition, while others may need support in everyday tasks.

What unites all autistic individuals isn’t a fixed set of behaviors — it’s that their brains are wired to perceive and respond to the world differently.

Why the Puzzle Piece Doesn’t Fit Anymore

For decades, the puzzle piece symbol was used to represent autism. It was often colored blue, with slogans like “missing piece” or “solving the puzzle.”

But ask many in the autistic community today, and they’ll tell you:

“We are not puzzles. We’re not broken. We don’t need to be solved.”

Instead, a growing number of advocates prefer the rainbow infinity symbol ♾️ — which celebrates the vast diversity and limitless potential of neurodivergent people.

The Often-Hidden Strengths of Autism

Let’s flip the narrative.

Yes, autism comes with challenges — but it also brings unique strengths:

Intense focus: Autistic individuals often display deep passion and persistence in their areas of interest.

Honesty & authenticity: Many autistic people value truth over social niceties — making them remarkably genuine.

Creative thinking: Their different way of seeing things often leads to innovative solutions or artistic expression.

Sensory awareness: While some stimuli can be overwhelming, many autistic individuals experience beauty in fine details most of us overlook — a bird call, the pattern of shadows, the texture of a leaf.

They’re not “weird.” They’re wired for wonder.

The Science Behind the Spectrum

While research continues, here’s what we know so far:

Autism likely arises from complex genetic and environmental factors during early brain development.

It is not caused by vaccines (this has been scientifically debunked many times).

The condition is usually identifiable in early childhood, though many are diagnosed later in life, especially girls and women whose traits are often misunderstood or masked.

Inclusion Begins With Us

It’s easy to say “accept people for who they are.” But inclusion takes more than words.

Here’s how you can be an ally:

Don’t talk over autistic voices. Listen to them. Respect their lived experience.

Educate yourself — read blogs, watch videos, attend workshops by autistic creators.

Be patient with differences in communication, behavior, or learning style.

Create safe spaces — in schools, workplaces, and communities where neurodiversity is not just tolerated, but celebrated.

Challenge ableism — the belief that non-disabled ways of thinking and living are superior.

If You’re Autistic, This Is for You

To every autistic child, teen, or adult reading this —

You are not “too much.”

You are not “less than.”

You are you — and that is something the world desperately needs.

You are not a burden.

You are a gift.

 Final Thoughts:

Autism doesn’t need fixing.

What needs fixing is a society that sees difference as deficiency.

Autistic people have always existed — in classrooms, in families, in history, in art, in science. They’ve been our thinkers, our feelers, our creators. And they’ll continue shaping the future, in their own beautiful, kaleidoscopic way.

Let’s stop asking autistic people to fit into our mold.

Let’s start creating a world flexible enough for every kind of mind.

Thank you for reading.