Things We Wish People Would Stop Saying About Autism (With a Smile)
We know people usually mean well—but sometimes, the things they say about autism make us want to hand out a friendly “Let’s reframe that” card. Humor helps us stay sane, so today we’re blending some light-hearted truth-telling with gentle education.
Here are a few classics we’ve heard (and what we wish folks understood instead):
1. “But she doesn’t look autistic!” What we wish they knew: Autism doesn’t have a look. It’s a neurotype, not a fashion statement.
2. “Everyone’s a little autistic these days.” What we wish they knew: Nope. Everyone has quirks, but autism is a neurodevelopmental difference—not a trend.
3. “He’s just being difficult.” What we wish they knew: What looks like defiance is often distress. There’s a big difference.
4. “You just need to discipline him more.” What we wish they knew: Autism isn’t a discipline issue—it’s a communication and regulation difference. Compassion works better than control.
5. “She’s so high-functioning!” What we wish they knew: Functioning labels are outdated and misleading. Let’s talk about support needs instead.
It’s Okay to Laugh—And Learn We share this not to shame, but to educate. And honestly? Most people are relieved to learn better language once it’s explained with kindness.
What You Can Say Instead:
“How can I support you?”
“Thanks for helping me understand.”
“I love how uniquely they see the world.”
Want More of These Conversations? This is the kind of insight we bring to coaching too—navigating both the internal family journey and the outside world with clarity, humor, and heart.
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With a smile and a deep breath,
Bridge & Blossom
