Autistic, Not Broken

 For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt like the world didn’t really understand me. Growing up, I always had this sense that I wasn’t quite like everyone else. People would tell me I was “different,” and not in the way that felt like a compliment. It was more like I needed to be “fixed” or changed to fit in. And for a long time, I believed that too. I thought if I could just be more like everyone else, maybe life would be easier.

It wasn’t until recently, after discovering I’m autistic, that I realized there’s nothing about me that needs fixing. I’m not broken. Autism isn’t a flaw or a defect…it’s a part of who I am. For a long time, I masked my true self, hiding the little quirks and habits that didn’t fit the mold. I tried to blend in, not realizing that by doing so, I was rejecting the most authentic parts of me.

Society has a lot of misconceptions about autism, and I’ve felt the weight of those misunderstandings firsthand. People tend to think of autism as something that needs to be cured, as if being different is something bad. But autism isn’t a disease, it’s a different way of experiencing the world. The world can feel overwhelming at times, but it also allows me to notice things others might overlook. I’ve come to see that my differences are strengths, not weaknesses.

Sure, I stim to calm myself, and sometimes sensory overload can make things tricky. But that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy life’s vibrant moments. I love being around people I care about and celebrating together. Sometimes, I just need to mentally prepare for all the stimuli beforehand or take breaks to recharge. That doesn’t mean I’m less capable; it just means I process things differently. And that’s okay. I don’t need to apologize for who I am.

It hurts when people don’t take the time to understand that autism isn’t something to pity. I’m not less of a person because I navigate the world differently. I wish more people could see that. I may not always fit into the boxes society creates, but I’ve learned that I don’t have to.

Being autistic means I have unique perspectives and insights. It means I’m passionate about the things I love and care deeply about people, even if I don’t always express it in the ways others expect. It means I find joy in the little things, the routines that bring me peace, and the objects that hold meaning in my life.

I’m not broken. I’m autistic. And I’m learning to embrace that more and more each day.