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Thread: Let's have a little chat about the "infantilising" of autistic persons. First off "meltdowns" are not synonymous with "tantrums". We're not seeking attention. We're not toddlers. We are processing more than our brains can handle, but we aren't being "bratty". 1/
I get accused of being naïve. I was journalist I've advised governments in three countries on policy, I work at a managerial level in the charity sector, I run a human rights consultancy and am studying a Master in International law. I'm not naïve about state of the world. 2/
I am however logical. That can sometimes be confused for naivity because others want to place an emotional response on situations which don't require one. It's also not naïve to tell people to calm down and look after themselves, it's commonsense. 3/
At the start of this week I would have struggled to explain the electoral college system. I can now give you the demographic breakdown and voting spread of majority of States which have been in play. I'm not an expert, but I learn what I need to, and often more than I need. 4/
It's a common trait among many of my autistic friends. We get accused of being "obsessed", maybe we are, but we also get told to "switch off" and talked down to because of it. You think if we could switch off we wouldn't? We don't need coddling like a child, just understanding 5/
I've autistic friends who are doctors, lawyers, teachers, writers and all manner of jobs. We're not kids. You don't need to treat us like we are. Just accept our brains work differently. Yeah, we can get overwhelmed, but that just takes a little understanding not infantilising 6/
