Kindly don’t say “Everyone’s a little autistic” next time someone tells you they’re on the Spectrum.
- You are nothing like me.
- Or other Autistics.
No sir, not in the way we think and see the world.
The statement “Everyone is a little autistic” oversimplifies the complexity of Autism Spectrum Disorder and can be problematic for several reasons.
Firstly, autism is characterized by a wide rainbow of challenges related to social communication, sensory issues, repetitive behaviors and thoughts, and restricted interests (aka special interests or hyperfixations).
It’s a spectrum, meaning that individuals with ASD can exhibit a generous variety of strengths and struggles.
Making a blanket statement that “everyone is a little autistic” disregards the unique and diverse experiences of individuals on the Spectrum.
Secondly, using such a statement may contribute to misunderstandings about the nature of autism.
Autism is not a trait that everyone possesses to a lesser extent; it’s a specific condition with distinct characteristics.
To say, “Everyone’s a little autistic,” is kind of like saying, “Everyone’s a little diabetic.”
Implying that everyone has a degree of autism can trivialize the very real and significant challenges faced by individuals with ASD, as well as the efforts made by their families, educators and communities to support them.
Moreover, the statement may perpetuate stereotypes and misconceptions about autism.
Autistics typically have different sensory sensitivities, communication styles and ways of processing information.
Reducing these complexities to a simplistic notion can lead to a lack of understanding for those who navigate the world with a unique set of strengths and challenges.
In promoting a more accurate understanding of autism, people need to see Autists as unique individuals rather than stuffing all of them into the same box.
Instead of making generalizations, people need to appreciate the diversity of abilities and needs within the autism community.
Everyone is NOT “a little autistic.” That’s akin to telling a room full of autistic people, “You-all in here, every one of you is a little neurotypical.”
- Yes, at the end of the day, we ALL are human.
- But in terms of the way the human brain works, it’s very accurate to point out, indeed, that everyone is not a little autistic.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical and fitness topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer. In 2022 she received a diagnosis of Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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