5 Ways to Help Change Views on Autism

After watching a friend’s family struggle with autism, dedicated philanthropist, Lloyd Claycomb is now more determined than ever to raise money for autism. More specifically, he and his wife, Karen, want to publicize the neurodiversity movement in an effort to have autism viewed as a variation in functioning rather than a mental disorder that needs to be cured.

“With one in 68 children now receiving an autism diagnosis, it’s time that autism is accepted and understood,” said Lloyd Claycomb.  By working tirelessly to change how society views autism, Lloyd Claycomb has had the opportunity to see firsthand how millennials are on the forefront of this evolution, even though it is a subject passed by many young adults.

With millennials being proactive and open to change, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of autism.  Here are five suggestions as to how everyone can help change views on this neurodevelopmental disorder:

1. Talk about it –Millennials are opting to be more socially conscious and are choosing to be aware of the neurodevelopment disorders affecting a surprisingly large percentage of the population. Through opportunities with social outreach, local programs and not-for-profits, having conversations on autism should be the new norm.
2. Donate – Every cent makes a difference. Donate to help support autism education, awareness, advocacy, research and assistance for families living with autism.
3. Never stop learning – Innovation is impacting the autism community as much as any other and it’s transforming how people are diagnosed, treated and supported. In order to prepare future generations on the subject, we need to be aware.
4. Don’t judge – Whether you have a friend who is a parent of an autistic child or you have an autistic acquaintance, judgment from others is unnecessary for those dealing with autism. Most of us instinctively know that we should not judge others, but it can happen easily. Whether it is a disapproving stare in a grocery store or comments from a family member about how we need to “better discipline our child”, once it happens, it may be hard to reverse the damage.
5. Build peer support networks – It has been seen that great strides take place when we focus on building the peer support networks of students on the spectrum not by focusing on the child with autism but their peers.