Welcome to Autistic adulthood, my young friends. It does exist, contrary to what the media has people believing. We do grow up, and what we grow up to be are Autistic adults. And awesome, but I repeat myself. 

A lot of things about being Autistic and about being society's ideal adult may seem mutually exclusive. You may feel you're being held to an impossible standard. And you just might be half right. Autistic adulthood and media, super responsible all the things calm and under control; adulthood may not match up.

But that's nothing to be ashamed of. Forget "suits and seriousness" adulthood, my adulthood is, "I can eat ice cream for breakfast, I'm an adult and no one can stop me."

Part of being an adult is getting to do things your own way. Half of the things they told me would never fly when I grew up? They do, in fact, fly now that I've grown up. I get to control my environment to my specifications, not to those of some professional who thinks they know what "adult" is. 

My children are both diagnosed on the autism spectrum. I wrote this to address some of the misconceptions and stereotypes about autism, and to help their voices be heard.

My children want you to know that being of few words does not mean being of little intelligence.

My children want you to know that being socially awkward doesn't mean they cannot be wonderful, kind, loving, and loyal friends.

My children want you to know that they may flap their arms, rock, hum, or spin because they need to, not because they are brats with little self-control who wish to irritate you.