The article explores the often-misunderstood concept of joy in the autistic community, highlighting that many autistic people experience profound happiness connected to their unique traits. A study by Elliot Wassell, focusing on the voices of autistic individuals rather than deficits, revealed that passionate interests, deep focus, and sensory experiences contribute to their joy. The biggest obstacles are societal biases and mistreatment, not autism itself. It encourages a neuro-affirming perspective, suggesting that there can be multiple ways to live a fulfilling life authentically as an autistic person.
I remember being in the middle of a lake. Alone. Just me, water, the sky, and far-away trees. It was a bliss.
But autistic experience can be intensely, gloriously joyful-when we are not forced to fit into someone else's procrustean expectations of what a good life is 'supposed' to look like.
Now, we have more data to support a neuro-affirming take on living beautiful lives on our own terms.
The results challenge common misconceptions about autism and reveal that many autistic people not only experience joy regularly, but often find deep happiness because of rather than despite being autistic.
Collection
[
|
...
]