It is normal for things to be hard sometimes, but there are ways to make things easier. You can make your own accommodationsChanges that make things easier for disabled people. They help us get the same things as non-disabled people.. There are lots of tools autistic people use to make our lives easier, like:
- Printing out schedules with pictures to plan out your day
- Having a friend come over once a week to help you clean up
- Setting up a phone or laptop to remind you to do things
You might feel pressured to communicate in certain ways. People might want you to talk out loud, or push you to talk faster. They might want you to talk in ways that they like. You should communicate however works best for you. You might find writing easier than talking, or find it easier to point to pictures or draw things. You should communicate in a way that you like. That’s self-advocacyStanding up for yourself so you get what you need.!
Remember: self-advocacy is for everyone, and you are already a self-advocate. You can use some of these ideas to practice self-advocacy. The more you practice, the easier it will get.
Even when you self-advocate, people might be jerks, not listen to you, or treat you badly. When you think something is wrong, it can help to know your rights.