Read on Twitter
I’m going to share my own opinion on the whole #ActuallyAutistic vs #AllAutistics hashtag situation. These are my own opinions & don’t represent anything other than my own thoughts. Everyone is entitled & encouraged to use whatever hashtag they like, Twitter is a free platform.
In my opinion I feel the Actually Autistic tag discriminates against those who self diagnose as being #autistic, & prior to my official diagnosis over a year ago I wasn’t active within in the community due to this hashtag.
The word ‘actual’ by dictionary definition means: existing in fact; real. So those who self DX technically can’t ‘actually’ be autistic unless a medical professional has assessed them. This leads to some feeling excluded & not willing to engage in the community.
I believe all self DX autistics should be warmly welcomed without any prejudice whatsoever. Like myself many adults going through the process of self DX at some point. How nice would it be for them to feel supported?
Some may never get diagnosed & this is OK too. Not everyone may want or be able to get diagnosed. I’m one of the lucky people who had a NHS diagnoses (which I’m truly thankful for). Some aren’t so lucky.
It’s a privilege to get a diagnosis. Over the recent weeks the whole self DX vs DX situation has been made worse by a couple of Individuals wishing to divide an already divided community.
I want nothing more than for us to be accepting & in turn accepted by all, regardless of age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, race etc. That’s why I’ll be using the hashtag #AllAutistics, to me it’s an inclusive tag suitable for everyone & anyone.
Everyone can use whatever hashtag they want, I won’t judge or anything like that. But for me I won’t be using the #ActuallyAutistic hashtag. That’s my opinion.
Remember to be accepting & welcoming to all autistics, you may be the first person they reach out to when self-discovering themselves. That’s all from me.
