Bridging The Gap Between Awareness And Acceptance: Rethinking Autism In Daily Life

Last Updated:July 14, 2025, 08:53 IST

While we are increasingly able to recognize autism, society still struggles with what it means to truly accept and include autistic individuals in everyday life.

We’re living in a time when conversations around autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more visible than ever. Awareness has grown through social media campaigns, educational seminars, and public advocacy. However, while we are increasingly able to recognize autism, society still struggles with what it means to truly accept and include autistic individuals in everyday life.

Shubhra S Khurana, Psychotherapist, says, “Who can truly deny that our needs aren’t special? Every human being is special uniquely formed, uniquely flawed, perhaps each of us fallen far from some imagined perfect tree. Autism, often seen as a neurodivergent condition, is sometimes misunderstood as a sign of incompleteness especially in the realm of social connection. The so-called deficits less eye contact, fewer social cues, or a different use of language are often judged through a neurotypical lens. But in truth, individuals with autism are not lacking; they are perfectly incomplete, just like every other human being on this planet. Their way of being may not mirror the majority, but it is whole, rich, and deeply human.”

“The rise of awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a welcome change, but acceptance remains uneven in the everyday world, largely due to stigma, stereotypes and lack of inclusive practices,” adds Dr. Sonam Kothari, Pediatric Neurologist and Co-Founder & CEO, Butterfly Learnings.

Awareness is often celebrated through annual walks, hashtags, or themed days at schools and workplaces but what happens once the banners are down? Real inclusion is tested in our homes, public spaces, schools, offices, and playgrounds, where autistic individuals continue to face misunderstanding and alienation.

“We can be aware of autism through social media campaigns, awareness walks, and educational events. However, awareness alone does not equal acceptance or inclusion.”

This distinction is critical. It’s one thing to wear blue on World Autism Awareness Day. It’s quite another to advocate for sensory-friendly spaces, rework hiring practices, or support inclusive classrooms year-round. Because the barriers autistic individuals face often stem from societal expectations around “normal” behavior—eye contact, verbal interaction, physical stillness—all of which may not align with a neurodivergent experience.

“The differences are most notable in everyday settings; whether it be at school, in the workplace or open space settings with other members of the general public, where people with neurodiversity are still judged or rejected,” notes Dr. Kothari.

“The challenge we face is not just being able to identify autism but fully understanding that avoiding eye contact, sensory experiences, or nonverbal interactions are not unacceptable behaviors, but rather a part of who they are as a different neurocognitive experience.”

To bridge this gap between awareness and acceptance, a symbolic ribbon isn’t enough. It requires concrete change, training teachers to recognize neurodivergent communication styles, redesigning office environments to accommodate sensory needs, and building systems that are flexible, not forced.

“To reconsider autism meaningfully in everyday life, we need to move past symbolic gestures and towards real change,” says Dr. Kothari.

“Among many actions, this means training educators and employers, reworking our public spaces to be sensory-friendly, and encouraging open conversations that continue to humanize and normalize neurodiversity. It also means listening, real listening, to those who are autistic and respecting their perspectives.”

The goal is not to force autistic individuals to mask their traits or fit into neurotypical molds. Instead, we must shift our collective mindset, so that spaces and systems adapt to diverse neurocognitive realities.

“Acceptance isn’t about tolerance; it’s about accommodation, respect and empathy,” she explains. “Society needs to move past asking autistic people to fit into societal demands, where real progress will start by understanding society must shift its environments and attitudes to include autistic people.”

Inclusion isn’t a passive process, it’s a choice to design a world that values different ways of being. As Dr. Kothari eloquently concludes,  “The future is not only about meaningful understanding of autism, but it requires embracing autism as part of the natural diversity of human minds.”

Swati Chaturvedi

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More

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