One of the things that I've seen as an obstacle within the Autism community, is our ability to work together regardless of our differing beliefs. I've spoken about the major rifts that have formed and how those rifts are preventing unity.
If you've been blessed enough to not run into one of these rifts, count yourself lucky because it's not always a pleasant experience, especially for the newly initiated parents within the community who have no idea what they're walking into.
Likewise, if you haven't experienced this first hand, don't discount the validity of these words because many others have experienced these things.
These rifts have led to factions or individual groups that sorta break off and do their own thing. What leads to these secessions is often a differing of opinions on one or more of several key issues.
- Vaccines
- Neurodiversity
- A Cure
- Adult Autistics
- Parents/Caregivers
- Advocacy
- High functioning vs low functioning
- Controversial diets
I know I'm forgetting something but the above list covers what I've personally experienced to be major factions within the Autism community.
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It goes without saying that *vaccines *are the largest divider within our community. Regardless of what side of the line you stand on, passions run very deep. Often times, one side won't have anything to do with the other side and the same goes for all the other factions.
In my opinion, this is a travesty because these divisions or factions are preventing a unified front.
If we want the world to be more aware, understanding and accepting of Autism, we can't be seen fighting each other. We can't be seen as a group of people who can't even agree amongst ourselves on the things surrounding Autism. How in the world is anyone outside the community supposed to wrap their head around any of this?
At the end of the day, we're only hurting ourselves, our cause and worst of all, our loved ones with Autism.
We're making it difficult, if not impossible for people to understand what parents of kids with Autism go through and what people with Autism struggle with.
As the new year moves forward and we quickly approach April, please remember that regardless of our personal beliefs, the one thing we all have in common is that we love our kids with Autism and only want the best for them. Imagine the possibilities if we could unify around that..
