April is Autism Awareness Month, and organizations across the country are hosting events to bring awareness and educate about the autism spectrum. Autism Action is one such organization.

Most non-autistic people who don’t have autistic people in their circle have a fuzzy idea of what autism is and how to identify it. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the autism spectrum is a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restrictive interest, and repetitive behavior. Many people have a singular concept of autism, primarily based on pop-culture such as shows like The Good Doctor, A-Typical and Rain Man. These are depictions that do not demonstrate the diversity within the autism community, and are viewed as problematic exhibiting a serious lack of representation as non-autistic actors portray these characters.

The Disability Justice movement speaks to the importance of centering conversations about disability around the lived experiences of actual disabled people.  A popular motto and hashtag  in the disability community is “Nothing about us without us.” The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) breathes this motto into all it does. According to the ASAN website, “Autism is a normal part of life, and makes us who we are. Autism has always existed.”

Eric Michael Garcia, journalist, advocate and autistic himself, urges society to look beyond the definitions and listen to actual autistic people. Addressing assumptions about autism and if autistic people can set and achieve goals, he says, “I say that assumption is just as disabling, if not more, than any actual disability. Autistic people can achieve great things with the right supports.”

Autism Action Partnership works to increase acceptance for people on the autism spectrum and create inclusive communities that embrace people of all abilities. It targets the business sphere and community partners to expand awareness and devise employment opportunities. Autism Action understands that autistic people are an integral part of society and have the right to all the same opportunities as non-disabled people.

In an Omaha Daily Record article last October about National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Marcia Prideaux, program manager, Autism Action Partnership, said, “Whether you know it  or not, you likely have people with autism working for you. Employers need to educate their entire workforce, so, when they see certain behaviors, they won’t judge it, but understand people with autism better.”

Autism Action Partnership is dedicated to changing conversations around autism and collaborating with the autistic community to create equitable opportunities. It works to educate the community and families, so they can play a vital role in securing an inclusive world.

Garcia was diagnosed around age eight and began receiving supports like occupational therapy, and at school, with pull-out supports for writing and math. His family encouraged him and provided necessary supports at home, especially his mom. When asked what families should know about people with autism, he says, “I think I just want them to know their kid is not a failed version of normal. And that they can live a good and fulfilling life.”

Initially drawn to music, Garcia found himself following a writing career.  He was fascinated by the stories behind music, and this led to him joining his high school newspaper, and in college workied for the campus newspaper. After college, he freelanced before working for several national news outlets, eventually finding a job as an editor at the Washington Post. At this time, he decided to write a book in response to the idea of curing autism.

When asked why he chose to write a book, he said, “I wrote this piece for National Journal arguing society should stop trying to cure autistic people and instead help them live more fulfilling lives.” To discover what this really looked like, Garcia traveled across the country, meeting other autistic people, and wrote “We’re not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation.” He’s currently the senior Washington correspondent and bureau chief for The Independent.

Autism Action Partnership works to ensure autistic people like Garcia have equitable opportunities and to have the potential they all possess acknowledged by society. With proper, robust supports, autistic people are capable, no matter where they land on the spectrum. Autism Action Partnership invites people to explore its website and attend a local event in recognition of Autism Awareness Month.

Discussing the importance of autism awareness, Garcia says awareness means people know about autism but don’t understand it. He believes there’s a distinction between awareness and acceptance and advocates for acceptance. He says, “Acceptance means incorporating, welcoming and embracing autistic people as they are.”