11/13/2025
When someone can’t say what they need, that’s a disability.
But when someone CAN articulate their needs, everyone acts like it’s a character flaw.
Two stories. Same struggle. One gets patience, the other gets punished:
❤️A child with “severe” autism covers their ears and screams as the classroom noise rises. Immediately, staff turn the volume down and offer headphones to help.
💙But across the hall, another autistic student—verbal, politely asks if others can please talk more quietly. The response? A reprimand.
“You’re always complaining about something, aren’t you? Too hot, too cold, too loud. Are you ever just content?”
❤️A student with higher support needs walks toward their usual seat to find someone sitting there. The person notices, quickly moves, and playfully teases, “I know where you’re headed!”
💙But when the “mildly” autistic adult approaches and sheepishly points out, “that’s normally where I sit”
the other person responds, “there’s plenty more seats”, before turning back to their conversation.
We have GOT to stop using people’s vocabulary as a measuring stick for how much support they should need.
The more words someone has, the easier it is to miss their pain.
Don’t make that mistake.
Language is JUST an indication of what someone can say, not what they can handle.
