As an autistic teenager, I have grown tired by the relentless bullying directed at me and my neurodivergent classmates and friends. Too often, I hear ‘you’re autistic’ thrown around at people as though it were some kind of insult. Autism is not a dirty word — or a disease to be cured, for that matter. We autistic people are people, and nothing less than that. 

But, without proper education, how can our neurotypical classmates learn that autism is not a negative thing? Sometimes, even undiagnosed autistic individuals can harbour hate towards the disability, simply because it’s not taught to a high enough standard. When my friend found out she might be autistic, she felt offended at the mental health professional who suggested such; she assumed they were simply being cruel to her. And I myself hated who I was when I discovered what I had, but I’ve grown to love the neurodivergent part of myself. Why? Well, I was educated by a very special youth club I know. 

It shouldn’t be the responsibility of a youth club to teach me — that power lies with the schools in London. So many people are left in the dark, and continue to make mocking comments and cruel jokes. And, what with the frankly offensive ‘autism charities’ like Autism Speaks, people continue to believe people like us need to be cured, need to be fixed. We don’t. 

I’m not asking for bullies to be imprisoned, or for schools to constantly have lesson after lesson on my cause. All I want is to create safe environments in schools around London for children and teens like me, who have felt left out in the dark by the constant use of autism as a dirty work, and by the lack of teacher intervention. We need to create a kinder society, starting one school at a time. 

I hope you will sign my petition. One signature could really make a large difference. Please, help us make ALL students feel safe and comfortable in schools — whether neurotypical, or not.