The saying goes that you should always be kind, because you never know what someone is going through.
Well, you never know perfectly. But there can be clues.
If someone is speaking or moving in a way that seems odd or unpredictable to you, there’s a good chance they may be on the autism spectrum.
Like many autistics, I often go through sensory discomfort, information overload, and the fear of being misunderstood. Therefore, being kind to me means being calm, precise, and patient.
You’ve met someone who’s autistic, and knows it. You’ve met someone who’s autistic, and doesn’t know it. You’ve met someone who tries to hide their autism. You’ve met someone who wants to explain their autism, but lacks the time, the words, or the bravery.
Autistic people are all around you – secretly or openly, self-aware or unaware. If you want to be kind to us, then please be kind to everyone.