Asides

Autistic “challenging” behaviours are not “caused by autism”. They are a very human response to extreme stress. All humans in that kind of stress will exhibit these exact behaviours. Our behaviours mirror our emotions. If we are exhibiting “challenging” behaviours it’s because we are finding something in our lives very challenging. Same as anyone else.

– Autisticzebra, Autistic Behaviours Are Human Behaviours

Please go read the rest of this very excellent post by Autisticzebra. Autism often makes things more challenging – situations that seem normal or positive to a neurotypical may be extremely difficult for us. But the behaviors that don’t make sense to the neurotypical onlooker – the challenging, self-harming, out-of-control behaviors – they may seem a lot more rational if you understand where they are coming from. And this post helps put those behaviors into that much-needed context.