إميلي ليس

There are double standards when it comes to autistic and NT children. So many professionals expect neurodivergent children to not only conform to unrealistic social norms, but then blame / shame them for not doing so. Encouraging autistic children to suppress their autistic traits and act more neurotypical damages their self-esteem as it sends the message "the way you think / act is wrong". It leads to masking, which then leads to poor mental health (well documented) and sets children up for a lifetime of low self-worth, since the message is "you need fixing". Forcing autistic kids to look "indistinguishable from peers" tells autistic children that being autistic is something to be ashamed of. Adults don't place the same social norms and standards on NT children.

The irony is that NTs constantly say autistic people have social deficits and impairments, but don't look at themselves - For example, I know plenty of NTs who:

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• Interrupt the speaker

• Bombard you with questions and don't listen to the answers

• Change the conversation topic to fit their interests

• Talk over you

• Dominate conversations

• Don't apologise

• Swear at inappropriate times

• Aren't aware of other people's feelings

• Don't acknowledge people's responses during conversation

• Talk about politics, religion, sex to people they don't know well

• Don't give you time to respond

• Give too much / too little information

• Lack empathy

• Don't ask people politely to move out their way