Each year, for Autism Awareness Day, the neurodiverse community and its allies reach out to raise awareness. Traditionally a day for driving empathy, support and, in some cases, financial aid, Autism Awareness has been a one-way street of interest and assistance from the neurotypical in favour of the neurodiverse. The spirit of this, while positive in its intention, doesn’t truly address the need to normalize neurodiversity, create permanent places in the workforce and pave the way for true neurodiverse inclusion.

This isn’t about sympathy and help. The real need is to discover value in neurodiverse individuals and allow them space to grow as contributing members of society. With this in mind, Autism Awareness Month 2022 provided a unique opportunity for the neurodiverse community to reach out and offer support for the neurotypical.

It’s been a traumatic and challenging two years during the pandemic, and we struggle to find a way out. Stress is high, coping is a challenge and solutions for mental health concerns have never been at a more significant premium. Individuals with ASD deal with acute stress concern their entire lives, and consequently, the community has developed robust platforms and techniques to help manage this. Approaches to wellness are second nature, and there’s a lot that the neurotypical community can learn from individuals with autism.

This year, for Autism Awareness Month, The Geneva Centre for Autism has decided to reach out to the community at large and offer help from neurodiverse individuals by sharing knowledge and advice on clinical-grade stress and wellness techniques to help the world cope with post-pandemic PTSD.

This year, individuals with autism aim to help the world. Not the other way around. As part of this campaign, we taught people wellness and stress-coping techniques. By observing and following simple instructions, anyone can inject wellness into their day. All thanks to individuals with autism. In the past, after April, the neurodiverse community has said: “thank you.” This year, we’re saying, “you’re welcome.”