We Need to Talk About Autism

Welcome,

I was recently invited to write an article for Cognacity’s “Our Insights” webpage. This turned out to be a really nice opportunity to promote awareness of adult autism within my own team, and to reach our corporate partners or new people through our socials. In my article I outlined five truths about autism which are based on my clinical experience:

Truth 1 - We’re not all “on the spectrum”

Truth 2 - Language matters

Truth 3 - Autism affects women too

Truth 4 - Autistic people don’t lack empathy

Truth 5 - Autistic employees are talented

One reflection is we often describe myths to dispel them. This can inadvertently strengthen rather than challenge them. I also tried to emphasise we have all been meeting autistic people our whole lives. I sense encouraging a kind curiosity allows for genuine engagement and learning from the diverse experiences of autistic adults. It shifts the focus from debunking myths to actively listening and understanding, which can lead to greater awareness and inclusivity.

If you’re interested the original article can be found here: https://www.cognacity.co.uk/2024/02/27/we-need-to-talk-about-autism-dr-alison-lennox/