Awareness vs. Acceptance: What’s the Difference?

Each year, when April rolls around, everyone is ready to support Autism- but should it be Autism Awareness, or Autism Acceptance? Many are uncertain about the difference between the two slogans. There are a lot of sides to think about here, and I am sure I will not be able to touch on all of them, nor am I going to try to do so, and for many reasons.

For one, a few caveats to clear up. I am Allistic, meaning I am not Autistic. Why does this matter. I am not part of the identified group. I need to (and do) turn to the voices within that group, namely, I try to amplify Autistic voices. I once heard a saying, “Nothing about {them] without [them],” (attributed to James Charlton) and I can’t help but to feel as though that is a basic courtesy, not only for the Autistic community, but for any community or population that is discussed. As an allistic person, my experience of the world is different and I cannot and will not speak for every Autistic person. (Even if I were Autistic, I still cannot speak for the community at large because of the vast differences between each person within the community!) However, as an Autism advocate and ally, I believe in spreading knowledge and acceptance the best way I know how- through my writing. So, while I am not Autistic, and I cannot speak wholly for the Autistic community, I am speaking on behalf of the Autistic community, amplifying their voices as loud as I can. Educating myself by listening to seeking out better understanding of their lived experiences. Validating their lived experiences. This is what I am able to do. And so, I am.

Second, I use identity-first language in this article. Each person has their own preference between identity first, i.e. “Autistic person,” or person first language, i.e. “Person with Autism.” Most of the Autistic people I am surrounded by and within much of the Autism community, it appears that identity first language is preferred, as one’s experience of the world is viewed through their Autism. This being said, and as stated above, everyone has their own preferences. I apologize if my use of identify-first language is not your preference, or if it is offensive in any way. It is absolutely not my intention and I try to be very aware of the language I use and how it not only impacts my audience, but also how it communicates information about my chosen topic, and even myself.

First, a brief English lesson. As taken from the internet, portions of the definitions awareness and acceptance are below to set context (as applicable to Autism):

Awareness (noun): the quality or state of being aware : knowledge and understanding that something is happening or exists. (As taken from the Merriam-webster.com)

Acceptance (noun): the action or process of being received as adequate or suitable, typically to be admitted into a group. (as taken from Oxford languages via Google)

In reviewing even just the definitions of awareness and acceptance, the most striking difference is the idea of being received as “adequate or suitable.” For so long, Autistic people have been treated as separate or less than. Diagnostics tend to be focused on “deficits” (and largely remain to be) and how Autistic people don’t meet the criteria (characteristics) for being labeled as typically developing (aka “neurotypical” or dare I say “normal*”). (*I do not condone the use of “normal” as it indicates a pathologized “abnormal.” Rather, I believe humans exist on a multi-dimensional spectrum of differences, but that’s a different thought path…)  

Which brings me to the second aspect- “to be admitted into a group.” And where exactly are Autistic people trying to be admitted you ask? There is no members club admission process, is there? Well, like any other person, they want to be admitted and accepted anywhere. Everywhere. To be welcomed into society at large. Autistic people have been historically separated and treated as “other” or “different than.” There is a whole beautiful (multi-dimensional) spectrum of people and strengths and needs across the world, and maybe even the universe, and Autism has been singled out repeatedly as other (as have many other neurotypes and other disabilities).

It is great that people are aware of Autism and the Autism Spectrum. I am fully behind ensuring that people know that Autism exists. When I first learned about Autism, it was presented to my undergraduate child development class as a rare condition. Now, twenty or so years later, it is better understood. The intricacies of the neurotype are becoming more celebrated, as I think they should be celebrated. So much creativity and forward thinking comes from the Autistic community.

More people are seeking diagnosis not only for supports and accommodations for school or work that are fully deserved, but also as a way to validate their experience of the world. To validate that they indeed experience the world differently than allistic people. For an Autistic individual, sensory experiences may be more or less intense; Social situations are baffling as people don’t typically say what they mean, rather they speak in riddles (analogies, metaphors, etc.). People are flagged as being “too much” or “obsessed” when they share their passions with others, the very things that bring color to their worlds. The methods used to manage their anxiety, such as rocking or other stimming behaviors, are labeled as problems to eliminate. Other means of communication, i.e. “problematic behaviors,” are punished. While these are basic generalizations, they are very real experiences Autistic folks have on a daily basis, and just the tip of the iceberg. These are some of the biases that exist in society today.

But acceptance- Acceptance is to view Autistic people as adequate (or in most cases I have learned, MORE than adequate). As adequate as anyone else, as any other neurodivergent or neurotypical person. To be admitted into society at large, to be accepted as they are for who they are in total.  To have access to all parts of society that they wish to access, as anyone else would have access. And in my hopes, to be viewed in society as anyone and everyone’s equal. This is why ACCEPTANCE matters. Why awareness is not enough. Awareness makes me narrowly think of conditions or diseases that need cures, and we need to bring awareness to raise funds for those conditions. (This is not to say that we do not need additional research for Autism, because we do, just as me about PDA!)  Autism is not a problem to be fixed or cured. Autism is a distinct neurotype. A way of experiencing the world. It needs to be accepted as such. We need to accept that our experience of the world is just ONE way the world can be experienced, and understand that the ways others experience the world are just as valid. They are just as valid.