[JSR] The Stigma of Autism
Autism. A simple word but describing such a wide spectrum. Autism is a disorder related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. When we see an autistic individual, we may think of them as dull-witted and moronic, but the truth is, they are just as oblivious to their actions as we are to their motives.Unfortunately, many adolescents or high schoolers use the word “autistic” as an insult and a way of implying that the recipient is mentally challenged or stupid. Autism is a serious mental disorder that many parents have to experience every day, and it is a word that should not be taken so lightly. Millions and millions of parents experience hardships, and it is not right for us, as healthy individuals, to poke fun at something that causes so much distress to people.
Instead, we should support and embrace people with autism to the fullest possible extent. This can come in the form of donating, volunteering, and much more. A great organization for supporting these autistic kids is “Milal”, through which young volunteers help an autistic buddy out by both helping them participate in many activities and engaging with their partner and learning their behavior.
Although it may be quite challenging, volunteers do contribute to a great cause and really gain the knowledge on the autism spectrum. Instead of contributing to the stigma of autism, the community should support the removal of that stigma. Individuals with autism are not at fault. They have done nothing wrong. Instead, it is our fault for making a joke out of such a serious issue. So, volunteer at an organization today and help reduce the stigma of autism.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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