When people in authority speak, people listen. When people with power speak, people believe them. When people with experience speak, people trust them.

I take that responsibility very seriously. For myself as someone who is an expert in parenting and mental health. For others, as a student, a listener, a seeker of answers.

It is an interesting time in the world where the distinction between expertise, authority, power, voice, and knowledge are compounded. Not everyone with power has expertise and knowledge AND it is hard to create that discernment at times.

This week, I listened as someone in power said false and devastating things about an area within my expertise. So I find myself compelled to correct the mis-information.

My career started over 25 years ago working with children with Autism. I have consistently worked in families where someone is autistic, in schools with students who are autistic. I have colleagues who are autistic. I have friends who are autistic. I have studied far and wide, side by side with personal experience and curiosity.

We are all wired in different ways. Think in different ways. See the world in different ways. This is what makes the world amazing!!! This is what creates innovation and sparks creativity. This is essential to growth!

Autistic people see the world in a different way than me and I love that. I learn so much from the students I work with, from the friends I talk with, from the colleagues I brainstorm with.

Just like all people and all labels, there is a huge range of what autism looks like and what an autistic person does in the world.

This week, a person in power stood up and said that ‘Autism is destroying families’. That is simply not true!

Listening to leadership, specifically the U.S. Health Secretary, standing with authority and listing false limitation after limitation about a group of people made my blood boil. Here is the clip of him speaking if you are interested. I have been so angry, frustrated, heart broken, and disillusioned.

What is destroying families is the stigma and lies about autism.
What is destroying families is underestimation from professionals about the vast capabilities of these children.
What is destroying families is education systems that want to put kids in boxes that do not fit so many of our young people.
What is destroying families is a health care system that fights individuals and denies support, rather than partnering to provide the care and specialist so many people need.
What is destroying families is overwhelm and isolation.

None of these are unique to families with connections to Autism. It is broken systems and division that devastating families.

So, why am I sharing this?

You know, I don’t just share hard information without providing possibilities. My mission is always to provide options for progress…the small steps that help us heal, move forward, and find connection.

So, here are the small steps for this week:
1. This is not about politics, this is about people. This person in power is adding to destruction, not offering a solution. Autism is not something to be cured, it is a way a person experiences the world.
2. Remember that authority and job title does not equal expertise. Anytime someone in authority tells you something that does not feel right or true to you – listen. This can be a teacher, a doctor, a boss, a government official, a social media influencer or anyone else in place of power.
3. Find people you trust, believe, and have expertise to learn from and with. I believe that questions should always be welcome and no one has all the right answers.
4. All people are unique and interested and being curious is what helps build bridges between people who think differently or see the world differently.
5. Connect is something we all need, right now more than ever. Smile at a stranger, compliment the check out person, hold the door for the person behind you, or say thank you more often. It is these small moments of connection that make more of a difference than you know!

Thank you for reading all the way to the end today.

How are you doing? Truly, I’m asking. Send an email to [email protected] and I will get your message. I hope you are ok and know that I am sending a little extra sparkle your way today!

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