NAYONNI WATTS; Guest Writer; wattsna@plu.edu
I think any person from a marginalized group can speak about how difficult it can be to advocate for themselves, especially if they’re a part of a group that’s completely overlooked, as I am.
What I refer to is the individuals, on and off campus, who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Put simply, autism is a neurological disorder, NOT MENTAL, that varies from high to low functioning. If you wish to learn more I encourage you do your own research.
I don’t, and can’t, speak on the behalf of every individual with ASD, but I can speak on my own experiences that people on the spectrum may share.
Learning that the reason why I don’t understand my peers’ behavior, prefer talking with those older than me and suffer from social anxiety was because of autism, was eye opening to me. Learning this helped me better understand myself, which is great, but jarring when carrying other identities that the media can misportray me as a stereotypical mad Black, queer woman. But, ya know, if intersectionality wasn’t hard enough, am I right?
It was also a challenge to navigate life with my identity sharing peers by not noticing microaggressions, sexism, racism or homophobia until learning what they were and how to combat them with their own experiences.
It made me feel that I couldn’t fully be Black, queer or a woman with autism; but I then realized that my largest identity, which dictates how my other identities function, is something people can’t see. This leads others to think that because of my unique behavior that I’m not your usual Black, queer woman, which I’m not; if anything I’m above average.
I say this because I can identify and notice small details others overlook, and because my brain is “wired” differently than others, I can think differently and more out of the box.
I tell my story to encourage others to think differently, especially those on the Autism Spectrum to connect with me because I would love to meet more people like us and build a community.
I also want to spread awareness of Autism because April, Autism Awareness Month, will be approaching soon and uplift those who have been diagnosed, know a person on the spectrum or have a family member on the spectrum.
