Autism Awareness & Acceptance With Autism Advocate Carrie Watts by Renee

April is Autism Awareness Month, and as the month winds down, let’s take a moment to reflect and refocus on a movement toward acceptance and inclusion all year long! Carrie Watts is a wife, social activist and founder of Magic Lantern Books, a publishing company dedicated to shining light on autistic authors and illustrators and building pathways to employment in publishing for autistic people. Carrie shared information on the difference between autism awareness vs. acceptance and how to best support the autistic community.

Q: What is the difference between autism awareness and autism acceptance?

Most people are aware of autism at this point, though the stereotypes created by movies, etc., continue to prevail. But being aware isn’t enough. This is where acceptance comes in.Acceptance is when we stop telling autistic people that how they think and behave is “wrong” because it isn’t “normal.” It is when their alternate perspective and communication styles are accommodated for and openly welcomed as useful and beneficial to their communities.

A1. good question. awareness is having the information and knowing about a certain topic ahead of time and acceptance is loving and supporting the situation no matter what #30seconds

— Lovemymunchkins00 (@MinionMommy2Be) April 25, 2019

YES! I agree 100%! We need to move past awareness and start accepting and including...and not just in April but all year long! #30seconds

— Renee.Herren (@renee_herren) April 25, 2019

Q: What is an issue you feel needs more exposure, even within the autism community?

There are many, many issues that are unexplored within the autistic experience that still need to be given proper research and discussion. These include:

• the lost generation of autistic females
• masking
• over-prevalence of depression and suicide
• poor employment opportunities
• incarceration of autistic males for typical autistic behavior

As an autistic woman who didn’t get diagnosed until adulthood, I am mostly interested in supporting the lost generation and ensuring there isn’t another one. As a mother of two autistic boys, I am committed to changing employment outcomes and, when I have time, addressing the incarceration issue.

These are very deep and big issues for sure. As an educator and a parent of a child on the spectrum, I worry so very much for my child. Thank you for shining a light on these topics. #30seconds

— Renee.Herren (@renee_herren) April 25, 2019

Q: Do you think fictional portrayals of autistic people have helped or hurt understanding?

This is layered. Mostly, I think representation is a good thing. However, that representation has to be informed by autistic people, not assumed by neurotypical people. For example, “The Good Doctor” explores very real issues (discrimination at work due to ignorance; sensory difficulties; rumination; executive functioning challenges).But they only show a single positive that makes him “worth it” (his genius), which adds to stereotypes. Autistic people are more than just what they offer NT people.

Indeed, it is. There is only 1 person qualified to diagnosis adults in the Highlands of Scotland. For hundreds and hundreds of miles. 1 person. #30Seconds https://t.co/0NIgq2KKTs

— Carrie Watts (@CarrieWatts246) April 25, 2019

I was only officially diagnosed last March - when I was 42 years old. It was challenging to get through the waiting to be diagnosed. There is a 2+ yr waiting list where I live for adult diagnosis. #30Seconds https://t.co/w3XQgHv9pY

— Carrie Watts (@CarrieWatts246) April 25, 2019

Q: In what ways can employers accommodate autistic employees?

It is easier than many people think to ensure autistic people can be there full selves at work. The main one is, simply accept them for who they are; don’t expect them to be someone else. Needs are individual, so the best thing an employer can do is speak with them openly and respectfully. Employers should also be informed on the traits that connect all autistic individuals. Here are some easy wins:

• provide quiet rooms
• allow individual workstations
• don’t treat requests for accommodation with dismissiveness

Most autistic people want fulfilling, meaningful careers and to share their passions with the world, just like NT people. Now it’s time for employers to step up and accept them into the workplace.

Did you see the episode where the buzzing from the light made Sean curl up in a ball on the floor? That's how going into libraries used to make me feel. The hum from dozens of computers was overwhelming. I avoided them at all costs. #30Seconds https://t.co/IxNklHsmpQ

— Carrie Watts (@CarrieWatts246) April 25, 2019

I'm sure they do. I never realized until my own son was diagnosed and I started to learn about autism how much these things had impacted me. It never occurred to me that people DIDN'T experience what I did. #30Seconds https://t.co/THFyltDOnv

— Carrie Watts (@CarrieWatts246) April 25, 2019

Q: What do you personally find most difficult because of being autistic?

For me, meeting new people and remembering names is the hardest thing. I get so overwhelmed by trying to “act right” that I can’t focus on things like names. Then I get embarrassed because I can’t remember anyone’s name. Which makes it harder for me to pay attention to the developing conversation. I am terrible at small talk. It seems utterly pointless and such a waste of time when issues with meaning could be discussed instead. And I have yet to master the social convention of being asked how you are and NOT answering truthfully! If you don’t want to know how my weekend was, in detail, just don’t ask me. I’m good with that.

There are lots of people making forays into addressing the issue and trying to maximize the expertise and strengths of autistic employees. #30Seconds https://t.co/0BjbQGcNtX

— Carrie Watts (@CarrieWatts246) April 25, 2019

Q: What organizations do you recommend for finding reliable information about autism?

I am based in Scotland, so I primarily use the National Autistic Society (@autism), the UK’s leading charity for autistic people. I value their ethos, the materials they provide and the integrity with which they treat autistic people.

Another great organization is Autistica (@AutisticaUK), who focus their research on improving day-to-day life and future outcomes for autistic people. Again, their ethos is my main concern – they presume competence, listen to autistic voices and recognize that behavior is communication (not something broken that must be “fixed”).

There are organizations from which I would 100 percent steer people away because their beliefs conflict with the idea that autistic people are valuable and worthy, regardless of their ability to “fit in.”For me, if an organization says autistic people are broken, need to be cured, can’t speak for themselves or anything like that, they can’t be and should not be trusted as a resource. Not ever.

Mentorship is the key. Autistic folks learn best by doing and being supported through that process. It helps develop a comfort level while dealing with something new and unknown. #30Seconds https://t.co/AvumE95i5e

— Carrie Watts (@CarrieWatts246) April 25, 2019

Going back to the sensory impact in school, etc, for just a second - if you want to understand what autism is like, you MUST read a book called M IS FOR AUTISM. It is heartbreakingly accurate. #30Seconds https://t.co/vDk318QkMR

— Carrie Watts (@CarrieWatts246) April 25, 2019

Wow. How powerful! Thank you for sharing this resource! #30Seconds

— Renee.Herren (@renee_herren) April 25, 2019

Q: Where can people learn more about you and Magic Lantern Books?

I am regularly active on Facebook for my many different businesses. Those businesses are  Level Best Tutorials (English literature tutoring), Highland Editorial Services (editing and content writing) and, of course, Magic Lantern Books.

Due to severe shortages of qualified diagnosticians in my area, I’m also playing with the idea of training to become an adult autism assessor. I feel an obligation to help those who have struggled for most of their lives finally get understanding. I would also love to become a Marie Kondo consultant. I really connect with her philosophy and use it on a daily basis. Maybe somewhere down the line.

Be sure to follow Carrie Watts on Twitter at @MagLanBooks, visit MagicLantern-Books.co.uk and read Carrie’s 30Seconds tips!

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