Why It’s Not Helpful to Say That Everyone Is on the Spectrum
Understanding Autism and how to talk about yourself and listen to others via experience rather than diagnosis
Autism is a condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, interacts with others, and experiences their environment. It is estimated that 1 in 70 people are on the autism spectrum. — Autism Spectrum Australia
It seems like every day I hear someone say either “so-and-so is on the spectrum” or “everyone is on the spectrum” when talking about certain behaviors that people often associate with autism. I’ve heard people make these comments about themselves, friends, and even politicians on TV.
I imagine the motivation behind people saying this could be to somehow normalize understanding about autism and the autism spectrum. But it actually can be harmful to spread this understanding.
For full disclosure, I am not an autism specialist. As an educator with an M.Ed. in Special Education, I have studied the social and educational experience of disability. I have known many people who have been diagnosed with autism, each of whom has different experiences of what that means for them and their lives.
