Autism Is Neither A Blessing Nor A Curse. It Just Is.

When people find out Ayub is autistic, they usually respond in two ways.

1. “But he doesn’t look autistic.”
2. “I’m sorry, I’m sure he’ll get better soon.”

I mean, I know they mean well… but.

1. Autism doesn’t have a “look.” It’s a spectrum and those on it are as unique and individual as any ol’ neurotypical.
2. Autism isn’t an illness or a disease. There is no “cure” and there doesn’t need to be.

But there’s another way that people respond, and although it’s really with the best intentions, I feel it can be quite problematic. And that’s to say that I’m so lucky because I gave birth to an angel.

Aaaahhhhhh…. nooooooooo…

He’s was a human baby, who’s now a human pre-teen, and will eventually become a human adult. InshaAllah. He’s lovely and flawed and wonderful and terrible. And absolutely not an angel.

All I’m trying to say is that autism is neither a curse nor a blessing. It just is.

And the neurodiverse shouldn’t be confined to a label or put on a pedestal. They just are.

Anyway. I brought home a box of diapers for the 1yo yesterday and Ayub asked if he could have the box. I was like ya sure. And he’s been in it ever since. Because he likes it.

Trust me. Not every autistic person in the world enjoys watching TV while eating a banana in a box. That’s just Ayub.