University of Brighton fine Art (Painting) submission

Don’t worry, this isn’t a patronising ‘look at our SUPER POWERS’ post. This is a brief reminder to autistic people of what makes us marvellous.

To all autistic folk out there, when you’re feeling like sh*te, remember these 6 things:

1. We are an astounding and very diverse group of people. We’re not a homogenous group of ‘weirdos’. We are each unique and create value for the world in a way that no-one else can. You have a purpose in this world that only you can fulfil.

2. We have infinite courage and tenacity. Life for us is on hard mode, from masking to managing sensitivities to coping with others’ lack of compromise, we have an iron will to keep working until we succeed. You can achieve so much more than you think.

3. Our capacity to accept others for who they are has no bounds. A lifetime of experiencing crappy behaviour from others merely for being nice in a ‘socially awkward’ way means that we understand the importance of acceptance. You have deep compassion, the world’s most needed trait.

4. We represent reality as it should be. We follow the rules that we’re told are important, we’re kind to people because it’s the right thing to do, we speak up when we see injustice. You make the world a better place.

5. Our monotropism really is a ‘super power’. Ugh, sorry. BUT when harnessed well, our ability to hyperfocus and get into the Flow of our special interests (or whatever it is we’re researching in the moment) greatly improves not only our life but those around us. You make the world a richer place.

6. Our lived experience is valid. People may not understand us or see things our way, or even try to convince us that what we feel is wrong. We might not be correct about a thing, but what we feel is important and valid. You, your life, is worthy.

Life can be hard and unfair and full of people and things that make no sense, making us feel invisible at best and a nuisance at worst. But whether you believe in yourself or not, the acorns of happiness are within you. You’re amazing and don’t let anyone – especially yourself – tell you different.