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The Sensationalism of Misunderstanding
In today’s digital age, we’re bombarded with articles designed to grab our attention with dramatic titles. A headline like “Why Everything You’ve Ever Been Told About Autism Is Wrong” promises to shatter misconceptions and reveal hidden truths. For many, such titles may spark curiosity or intrigue, but as an autistic person, they often leave me feeling exhausted, frustrated, and alienated. In this piece, I’ll explore the impact of such headlines on autistic individuals like me and explain why they do more harm than good.
The Allure of Controversy
There’s no denying the psychological pull of a headline that challenges our understanding of the world. Phrases like “Everything You Know Is Wrong” invite readers to question their knowledge, enticing them with the promise of clarity or revelation. For neurotypical readers, this mechanism works seamlessly, creating a sense of intellectual excitement.
But for me as an autistic person, the reaction is often very different. Where others might see an opportunity for discovery, I see yet another instance where my reality is reduced to an abstract problem to solve. These headlines feel less like an invitation to learn and more like a reminder that…
