Autistic people do NOT need "fixing"

Helping a neuro typical person understand why we don't need fixing as autistic people.

1. The Neurodiversity Paradigm: A Different Operating System.

The most powerful way to reframe the conversation is to use an analogy that a neurotypical person can understand. The "different operating system" analogy is a great tool.

 * Don't think of it as a broken Windows PC. Instead, think of the autistic brain as a different operating system, like a Mac or a Linux system, in a world built for Windows.

 * Both systems are fully functional. A Mac isn't a "broken" PC; it's just designed to work differently. It has different strengths, different ways of processing information, and may require different "software" (social expectations, communication styles) to run smoothly.

 * The challenges are often a result of incompatibility, not a flaw. The difficulties that autistic people face are often not because their brain is inherently wrong, but because they are trying to navigate a world that is primarily designed for neurotypical people. It's like trying to run Mac-specific software on a PC—it's not going to work well unless the environment is adapted.

2. Focus on Strengths, Not Just Challenges.

The medical model of autism often focuses on a list of "symptoms" and "deficits." The neurodiversity model acknowledges the challenges but also highlights the unique strengths that often come with the autistic experience.

 * Deep Focus and Special Interests: Autistic people often have the ability to focus intently on subjects of interest for long periods. This can lead to incredible expertise, innovation, and passion.

 * Attention to Detail: Many autistic people are highly detail-oriented and have a knack for noticing patterns and nuances that others miss. This is a valuable skill in fields like science, engineering, art, and programming.

 * Honesty and Directness: Autistic communication can be very direct and honest. While this can sometimes be perceived as rude or blunt in neurotypical social settings, it can also be a refreshing and trustworthy quality in personal and professional relationships.

 * Logical and Analytical Thinking: The autistic brain often excels at systematic and logical problem-solving, which is an asset in many areas.

3. The Social Model of Disability. 

This model is crucial for explaining why the focus should be on society, not the individual.

 * The medical model says the problem is the person. It sees a disability as an individual's impairment that needs to be "fixed" or "cured."

 * The social model says the problem is society. It argues that a person is "disabled" by the social and environmental barriers that prevent them from fully participating. For example, a person who uses a wheelchair isn't disabled by their inability to walk, but by the lack of ramps and accessible infrastructure.

 * Applying this to autism: An autistic person isn't disabled by their communication style, but by a society that only values neurotypical communication. They are not disabled by sensory sensitivities, but by a world that is overwhelmingly loud, bright, and overstimulating.

4. It's About Accommodation, Not Assimilation.

Finally, we must emphasise that our goal is to create a more inclusive world, not to force autistic people to become something they are not.

 * Masking is exhausting and harmful. Many autistic people spend their lives "masking" or suppressing their natural behaviors to fit in. This leads to burnout, anxiety, and depression.

 * We don't want to "fix" the person; we want to "fix" the environment. This means making simple adjustments like providing quiet spaces, using clear and direct communication, and being flexible with social expectations.

 * Inclusion means valuing differences. True inclusion isn't about helping someone with a disability "fit in." It's about recognizing the value of their unique perspective and making space for them to be their authentic self.

By using these explanations, you can help a neurotypical person move beyond a limited, narrow view of autism and begin to appreciate it as a natural, valuable form of human diversity.