A hard lesson

Originally published April 23, 2016, on Jepsonfiles.com

I often think that people are pretty clueless about autism.  My suspicion was proven true again, recently.  Without going into detail, there was a situation at school when an adult said some things about our class of special needs kids that was hurtful and petty.  Why do people assume that we can’t understand what is being said around us?  Many, many times, learned men and women try to show that they are smart and use language that is flowery and impressive, but inside, they are simple and dense.  Truth is, the people with autism that can speak, all frequently talk about helping others.  Maybe we aren’t the ones that need fixing.  I am pretty sad this week because of some inconsiderate language.  Maybe I will get over it soon.  But people need to think before they speak.  I don’t have a choice but most of the rest of you do.  Make good choices.  Please make someone feel better using words, not make them feel worse.  Autism is hard enough.

Love, Aaron.