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Blog Post Title: The Next Generation of Autism Awareness: From Labels to Liberation
- Rhonda Greenhaw
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
April is Autism Acceptance Month, and while many are familiar with the traditional calls for “awareness,” we believe it’s time to take the conversation further. At My Time 2 Launch, we’re embracing a shift that’s happening across classrooms, boardrooms, and social media feeds: moving from a focus on deficits to a celebration of neurodiversity.
This year, we’re hearing more than ever from autistic adults, self-advocates, and allies pushing back against outdated narratives. And frankly, they’re right. The world is catching on to something autistic people have always known: the goal isn’t to fix autism—it’s to fix systems that make life harder for autistic people.
Why This Moment Matters
From viral TikToks to Senate floor debates, autism has become a hot topic—not always for the right reasons. In recent months, we’ve seen:
Renewed debate about masking and its mental health toll on autistic youth
Parents calling out IEP delays and gatekeeping in public schools
Neurodivergent voices demanding better representation and fewer stereotypes in media
These conversations are long overdue. But they also reveal a powerful truth: autistic people are not broken. They’re navigating a world that often refuses to understand or accommodate them.
What We Believe
At My Time 2 Launch, we don’t just support autistic individuals—we celebrate them. We don’t train people to hide their differences. We help them embrace their strengths and advocate for what they need. That’s what empowerment really looks like.
We believe in:
Autism as a form of neurodiversity, not a disease
Supports that honor autonomy, not compliance-for-comfort
Parent and educator collaboration, not top-down directives
Creating environments where difference is expected—not punished
Where We Go From Here
Let’s stop asking autistic people to change who they are to fit the world - they are not broken and DO NOT need to be fixed.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, therapist, or just someone who cares—here’s what you can do:
Learn from autistic creators and educators
Audit your own language and assumptions
Stop rewarding masking and start valuing authenticity
Teach children (and adults) that inclusion is not about tolerance—it’s about equity
Our Work in Action
This month, we’re proud to launch new school-based training initiatives that teach students how to be better peers through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. It’s bold, compassionate, and long overdue. We’re not just planting seeds of empathy—we’re cultivating a culture of respect.
Because different brains deserve the same respect.
Join the ConversationWe’d love to hear from you. What does autism acceptance mean to you? How are you shifting from awareness to action?
📩 Reach out at helpmerhonda@mytime2launch.com
🌐 Visit us at mytime2launch.com
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