The current state of autism advocacy

I recently wrote an article where I said autism awareness needs an overhaul and explained why the current approach isn't working. 

Today, I want to address another part of the autism awareness movement that needs an overhaul...

Autism advocacy. 

Not because there aren't some AMAZING advocates (there are MANY). But because autism advocacy has lost its way. 

It's fragmented, confused, and advocates who see things differently are operating from a place of deep trauma. Well-intentioned, but reactive. 

Good people... with the same fierce passion and concern... calling each other out for what they see as "problematic advocacy" rather than focusing on what really matters... how we improve the lives of autistic people. 

ALL autistic people.

The problem, as I see it, is a lack of clarity on what the goal needs to be. 

As a community, we have no idea where we need to go... we just know it can't be here.

And this needs to change if we want to CREATE positive change for the community.

I'm tired. But I'm also determined. 

We can fix this. We just need to acknowledge it for what it is first. Then... forge ahead... together. Not fighting each other... building each other up.

We can do this. I'm sure of it. We just... need to get on the same page.