Autism Awareness and Acceptance in Politics and Society

By Ashmita Annamalai and Arabi Mahanujam. Edited by Tiffany Fang, Uday Lingampalli, and Parker McElroy. Layout by Tristan Castro. Art by Evelyn Chen. Blogged by Shrawani Pradhan.

What is Autism Awareness Month?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects nearly 1 in every 60 children. It involves challenges in social interactions, delayed verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. ASD affects people of all ages, and the severity of symptoms varies from person to person. The United Nations declared April 2nd to be World Autism Awareness Day. The purpose of this day is to ensure that all persons with disabilities get full and equal access to all human rights, and fundamental freedoms. The Autism Society of America celebrates this day along with Autism Awareness Month, as part of their Celebrate Differences Campaign, a campaign designed to spread awareness of the signs and symptoms of autism, as well as sharing the stories of people with autism..

Why Autism Acceptance is Important in Building an Inclusive Society

Autism awareness and acceptance are critical in building an inclusive society since ASD is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. ASD is not fully understood as its symptoms are unique to each individual. This causes many stereotypes to arise, which in turn causes discrimination. Awareness of autism symptoms and of the condition itself can help healthcare professionals, schools and organizations better understand how to break down the barriers that people with autism face. People with autism also face workplace discrimination, as many companies do not know how to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. Autism acceptance is working to reduce this discrimination to allow people with autism to have the same opportunities as everyone else.

How Autism is Represented in Media and Politics

In the media, autistic individuals are portrayed as lesser beings than “normal” people. Their characters are used to affect the main character or entertain the audience, and their internal experiences are downplayed in favor of showing “behaviors.” This negative light is manipulated by the media to be perceived as positive by, for example, showing the audience what it is like having an autistic sibling, “to let the main characters ‘earn goodness points’ by being kind to the people with autism, and to provide entertainment via amusing social misunderstandings” (Bartmess, 2015).

However, under the pleasing facade is the battering of disabled individuals. This is done by not allowing the general population to see the range of characteristics on the autistic spectrum, omitting certain groups of people from the media, perpetuating the stereotype of “mute”, false information, and not showing the beautiful things people with autism can do. Autism is additionally presented as a debt the individuals have to pay, as they are shown to make things harder for their caretakers, and must make up for it by becoming more neurotypical or possessing a special talent. Character growth is also suppressed in autistic individuals, and makes autism seem like a “mystical disability [for the audience] to compensate” (Bartmess, 2015). This conveys that autistic individuals cannot just be people (Bartmess, 2015). In politics, many of the stereotypes displayed in the media are utilized to favor a political individual over another, in regards to representation.

What You Can Do

To help provide a positive platform for those with disabilities, we can educate ourselves, speak out for disadvantaged or underrepresented social groups, disregard media stereotypes, rely on research and science as opposed to opinions, fact-check and use media to promote an accurate and positive representation of autistic individuals (Wilson, 2020). Not only during Autism Awareness Month, but at all times, we must work together to bring wonderful people, such as those with autism, into the light.

Sources

Autism Society. (2021, April 08). Autism acceptance Month. Retrieved April 14, 2021, from:https://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/national-autism-awareness-month/

Copeland, J. N. (2018, August). What is autism spectrum disorder? American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved April 14, 2021, from:https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-spectrum-disorder#:~:text=Autism%20spectrum%20disorder%20(ASD)%20is,are%20different%20in%20each%20person.

Flint, R., & Bird, N. (2019, September 6). Autism: People face 'daily discrimination' in work. BBC News. Retrieved April 14, 2021, from: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-49523283

Total Spectrum. (2019, March 27). Autism awareness and why it is important. Retrieved April 14, 2021, from: https://www.totalspectrumcare.com/autism-awareness-and-why-it-is-important/

Wilson, B. (2020, June). How Has Autism Been Portrayed in the Media? Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide. Retrieved from: https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisprograms.com/faq/autism-portrayal-in-media/

Bartmess, E. (2015, December 18). Autistic Representation and Real-Life Consequences: An In-Depth Look. Disability in Kidlit. Retrieved from: https://disabilityinkidlit.com/2015/12/18/autistic-representation-and-real-life-consequences/

Art by Evelyn Chen