Autistic people exist in a world that is not designed for us. We have to expend extra resources in order to survive, whether that's more social energy to uphold "social niceties" or financial resources to hire caregivers to help us navigate medical appointments. The term Autism Tax refers to that extra cost that neurotypical people do not have to pay, just for existing. It is levied by a society that disables us by choice.
Being Autistic results in trauma, not a result of anything inherent in the neurotype but because Autistic people exist in a world intentionally hostile to us. From the social expectation for eye contact that results in us being unfairly labeled as liars by police to the harsh flickering overhead lights of offices across the world. And from many of the interventions intended to "help" us like ABA Therapy. Of course, there are many other ways Autistics can be traumatized. We're much more likely to be victims of abuse and violence than our neurotypical peers, for example.
Thankfully we are not without options for dealing with the harms the world throws at us, from attempting systemic change to seeking beneficial interventions to other therapies that deal with Trauma.
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- ⇄ Autism