As the parent of a high-support autistic young adult, what do I want for my son’s future & from society? I want other people accepting my son on his terms, & letting him know he's considered part of the community.

(Yes, my pretties, sit tight for a thread.) #neurodiversity

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I wish attitudes of autism and disability acceptance were more common, so that I could feel less anxious about my son's safety and well-being as he moves through the world now, and also in his future without me and his father by his side. 2/

But an accepting attitude is not reality for most autistics, whether or not they share my son’s intensive needs. He and his autistic community members tend to encounter disinterest, misunderstanding, or outright hostility from society—sometimes even within their own families. 3/

This negativity takes root because mainstream messages and resources about autism tend to center on autistic people as strange and pitiful and burdensome and in need of fixing or curing, rather than on understanding autistic experiences and communication. 4/

Unfortunately, most people and parents don't know how to find their way past this bad autism information. The result is too many autistic kids spending their lives misunderstood and mistreated, and as a result acting out in frustration. 5/