10 tips: Becoming a Better Autism Ally

✅ 1. Listen to Autistic Voices

• Prioritize lived experience. Follow autistic people online, read blogs, watch videos, and support their work.

• Don’t assume professionals know more than autistic people about being autistic.

✅ 2. Respect Neurodiversity

• Understand that autism is a neurological variation, not a disease.

• Autistic brains process the world differently, and that's okay. Different doesn't mean broken.

✅ 3. Challenge Stereotypes and Myths

• Autism isn’t a one-size-fits-all label.

  • Some autistic people speak, others don’t.

  • Some need full-time support, others are fully independent.

• Reject stereotypes like “autistic people don’t have empathy” or “all autistic people are geniuses.” These are harmful and false.

✅ 4. Ask, Don’t Assume

• Everyone experiences autism differently. If you're unsure what someone needs or prefers, respectfully ask.

• For example: “Is there a way I can make this more comfortable for you?”

✅ 5. Respect Communication Differences

• Be patient with people who use non-traditional ways to communicate, like AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), sign language, or typing.

• Don’t interrupt or speak for someone just because they communicate differently.

✅ 6. Use Preferred Language

• Some people prefer “autistic person”; others prefer “person with autism.” Ask and respect their choice.

• Avoid harmful phrases like “suffers from autism” or “high-functioning/low-functioning,” which oversimplify complex experiences.

  
  

✅ 7. Stop Infantilizing Autistic Adults

• Autistic adults deserve the same respect and autonomy as anyone else.

• Don’t talk down to them or assume they’re incapable just because they do things differently.

✅ 8. Be Aware of Sensory Needs

• Bright lights, loud sounds, crowded spaces, and certain textures can be painful or overwhelming.

• If you’re hosting events or creating spaces, consider offering quiet areas, noise-canceling options, or dimmed lighting.

  
  

✅ 9. Advocate for Accessibility and Inclusion

• Push for sensory-friendly environments in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.

• Promote inclusive education and hiring practices that recognize and value neurodiverse strengths.

✅ 11. Reflect, Learn, Unlearn

• Allyship isn’t a label—it’s a continuous process.

• You’ll make mistakes. What matters is that you learn from them and do better next time.

• Challenge your own internalized biases, even the subtle ones.