Valuing people of all abilities

by Helen Said, Autistic activist, Melbourne Australia

Autistics often have to educate people around us and refute myths and fallacies about our differences. This is becoming more urgent since RFK Jnr became US Health Secretary and began researching non-existent "environmental causes of Autism". 

RFK Jnr has stereotyped Autistics as being unable to pay taxes, go on dates, write poetry or use the toilet unassisted. This has, understandably, brought out an army of Autistic advocates defending our abilities and worthiness. Since most of us who do this are articulate people who have lower support needs, we often add on a reminder that Autistics with high support needs, and / or intellectual disability, also have valuable lives. 

We tend to be less specific in our advocacy for our higher needs neurokindred. It's sometimes harder to advocate for people who seem, superficially, different from ourselves, but I feel that we all need to start doing more to advocate for people who are less able to defend themselves. Donald Trump and his administration have openly mocked disabled people and removed vital services from disadvantaged Americans. RFK Jnr's pledge to find an Autism "cause" by September will impact most severely on Autistics with higher needs.

Many non-speaking Autistics have brilliant minds but rely on assistive technology, communication partners or other forms of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to communicate. Australian authors, Tim Chan and Sidharth Chandran, are examples of non-speaking Autistics who advocate for other AAC users. I have been privileged to share the online speakers' platform with Sid Chandran at the Neurokindred multicultural Autistic authors' presentation "Owning Our Stories", during 2024 Queensland Mental Health Week. Sid writes, 

"I want everyone to know I am a thinking, feeling man, I do not speak. I am aware that I act in ways that others see as 'weird' as though I had 'no sense'. This is because my mind and body work differently and not always in congruence with each other. I can express myself through typing."

Autistics often have co-occurring conditions. Apraxia can affect speech or movement. Many Autistics also have co-occurring intellectual disability. People with intellectual disability are often misunderstood and devalued. It's important to realise that people with intellectual disability are not "fixed". They may need advocacy, take longer to learn new things, or need to learn things in a different way.

I know four adults with varying types of intellectual disability - one is Autistic, one has another type of developmental disability, one probably became intellectually disabled following life threatening childhood illnesses and one has an acquired brain injury from a serious childhood accident. All of these adults either work or volunteer. All of them are capable of working, however they weren't all offered suitable work opportunities or adaptations.

One of these adults has lived independently and in a group home, but the others will be cared for by their families, throughout their lives, for cultural reasons. They all have interests and enjoy going out and travelling. One has a drivers license. Those with siblings are now beloved aunts or uncles. Those who live at home are invaluable companions to their ageing parents. They will go to live with their siblings, nieces and nephews after their parents pass away. They go out and see friends who enjoy their company and who ask after them when they are not there. 

It's important to close ranks and see people of all abilities as our friends, neurokin and community members. In these frightening days of ICE raids and Autism fear-mongering, let's not give into divisions between "us" and "them".