Autism is Not an Excuse: Separating Diagnosis from Character

Without derailing this topic with politics, I wanted to point out the troubling attempt some have used to explain away problematic conduct by pointing to autistic behavior as an excuse for abhorrent actions. As someone deeply involved in the autism community, I feel compelled to address this harmful narrative head-on.

Let's be crystal clear: Autism is not an excuse for harmful behavior. When public figures or anyone else engages in actions that promote hate or cause harm (whether inadvertent or not), attributing this to autism is not only incorrect—it's deeply damaging to the autism community.

Understanding Autism and Accountability

Autistic individuals, like everyone else, have agency and moral understanding. While autism can affect how we process social situations or express ourselves, it does not impair our ability to distinguish right from wrong. The suggestion that autism somehow predisposes someone to extreme ideologies or hateful behavior is both scientifically unfounded and morally questionable.

Consider these key points:

1. Autistic individuals have a strong sense of justice and fairness, often feeling deeply about ethical issues

2. While social communication may be challenging, autistic people understand the difference between kindness and cruelty

3. Being neurodivergent doesn't diminish one's responsibility for their actions or beliefs

The Danger of Excusing Behavior

When we attribute harmful actions to autism, we do several kinds of damage:

• We perpetuate harmful stereotypes about autistic individuals

• We provide convenient excuses for inexcusable behavior

• We diminish the responsibility of individuals for their conscious choices

• We risk further marginalizing an already misunderstood community

Putting Responsibility Where It Belongs

When someone chooses to promote harmful ideologies or engage in destructive behavior, that choice stems from their character, beliefs, and values—not their neurological differences. Autism might influence how someone processes information or interacts with the world, but it doesn't drive someone to embrace hate or harm others.

Think of it this way: If a neurotypical person did the same thing, would we search for an excuse? Would we try to find some aspect of their neurology to blame? Of course not. We would recognize their actions as reflecting their choices and character.

Moving Forward

As a society, we need to:

1. Hold individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of neurological differences

2. Stop using autism as a scapegoat for harmful behavior

3. Recognize that autistic individuals have the same capacity for moral judgment as anyone else

4. Challenge narratives that infantilize or remove agency from autistic people

The autism community deserves better than to have our neurotype used as a shield for harmful behavior. We are capable of making moral choices, understanding right from wrong, and being held accountable for our actions. When we see attempts to excuse inexcusable behavior by pointing to autism, we must firmly reject this harmful narrative.

Every time we allow autism to be used as an excuse for harmful behavior, we take a step backward in the fight for true understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity.

The real question is: how can we better educate others about autism while ensuring accountability remains where it belongs—with individual choices and actions?

What experiences have you had with these kinds of harmful narratives? How do you think we can better advocate for understanding without sacrificing accountability? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.