AttachAvi Autism Awareness! How autism is changing the world for everybody

There’s not much doubt that autism, is finally becoming accepted as a normal part of the human fabric. Even if some people still see autism as a condition that needs to be “treated,” it’s increasingly obvious that people on the autism spectrum are finding ways to succeed in our neurotypical-based society.Not only that, but autistic people are changing the nature of our society as well — in many ways, for the the better.autism has come to impact very significantly on mainstream culture.autism has played a significant role in crafting much of what we consider to be modern culture — from the music and books we read, to the technological devices we all take for granted. The acceptance of radically different ways of thinking, it turns out, can be seen as an integral part of a rich and diverse overarching culture.Today, talk of autism is normal, and most of us are familiar with it. But as recently as two to three decades ago, kids on the spectrum were mercilessly teased as being nerds or geeks. While many today wear those labels as points of pride, it was certainly not the case back then — they were used as put-downs, a way of calling out kids who had a hard time socializing — and who at the same time exhibited a kind of smartness that caused them to be alienated from the “normal” kids.A major turning point in this story came with the release of Rain Man in 1988 — a movie that did as much harm as good. On the one hand, Rain Man spread misconceptions, but on the other hand, it made many people aware of autism for the first time. While painting an overly severe depiction of the condition, Rain Man served as a catalyst for a huge shift in the mainstream understanding of autism.In fact,most pediatricians hadn’t even heard of autism prior to the film’s release. It was once seen as a rather arcane disease that didn’t deserve mention in most textbooks — but one that was thought to be related to childhood schizophrenia.After Rain Man, people started realizing that autism is common,and society was going to have to deal with it — that we were going to have to accept these other kinds of humans.More than two decades later, the socio-cultural landscape surrounding autism has shifted. The rising acceptance of neurodiversity has represented a seminal cultural adjustment in the early parts of the 21st century.And with nearly 1 in 68 people diagnosed today, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Moreover, there may actually be many more who go undiagnosed.It’s very important to remember that people who get diagnosed are a minority in a very broad field of people who are kind of only talked about jokingly.There may be broad autism phenotypes — people who have traits — but would probably not earn or seek a diagnosis.The signs of autism’s reach are beginning to been seen virtually everywhere. People on the spectrum are driving the creation of alternative forms of expression, new businesses and institutions, and cutting-edge technologies,And not only do they make these things comfortable for themselves, they’re useful for all of us.Indeed, it’s hardly a secret to admit that autistic kids and adults are drawn to technology — science fiction in particular — and fascinatingly, it has almost always been that way. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, it was the fixation on rocket ships and flying to the Moon that convinced pediatricians that there was something deeply wrong with these kids — that their unworldly and impractical obsessions were signs of a deep psychological malaise.There’s no understating the importance of the autistic aesthetic to the rise and popularity of science fiction and similar genres. The elaborate, technically accurate science fiction universe is an autistic playground.Autistic people are also changing the way in which existing art and culture is appreciated. A prime example are the so-called sensory friendly showings of movies and Broadway shows. These are special showings in which the sound is turned down, the lights are up, and children are free to walk around (which must also be a welcome relief for people with ADHD). These shows are incredibly popular and often sell out — a possible indication that neurotypicals are also keen to take advantage .One area in which autistic people are making an impact is maker culture. Many on the spectrum love to take apart and then rebuild or change or hack mechanical devices.It’s resulted in a convergence of geeks and the popularization of tech culture.Modern culture is clearly being defined and influenced by our willingness to celebrate and learn from those who think and act differently — a clear sign that tolerance, accommodation, and understanding benefits all of us.But not only that, the rise of autistic culture shows how important it is to have alternative psychological modalities as a part of the cultural fabric. In an age when economic globalization and other factors threaten to homogenize human culture, it’s good to know that different minds can still give rise to new ideas.