The Autism Awareness Movement Is Leaving Too Many People Behind | Opinion
Autism awareness has grown, but many autistic people still face barriers to support and employment, argues Cristina Busu.
The Autism Awareness Movement, despite its widespread recognition, is leaving many individuals behind. While campaigns and events have increased understanding, this recognition has not translated into adequate support for autistic people. According to the World Health Organization, one in 127 people had autism in 2021, but this broad description fails to account for the wide range of needs among those with the condition.
Some can live independently, while others require lifelong care. This one-size-fits-all approach leaves too many people without the appropriate support they need.
Society often focuses on the more visible aspects of autism, neglecting those whose experiences do not fit the public narrative. Autistic individuals who can articulate their needs have demanded dignity and acceptance, but those with profound disabilities may be unable to speak for themselves. Their families often struggle to secure necessary services while public discussions remain centered on the most visible voices.
The employment gap for autistic adults is stark. In the UK, only 34% of working-age disabled people with autism were in employment in 2024-25, compared to 82% of non-disabled people. This disparity highlights the failure of corporate pledges about neurodiversity, as candidates who communicate differently or struggle with traditional interviews are frequently rejected. This exclusion, masked by better branding, is not acceptance.
Moreover, the diagnostic system contributes to the problem. The merging of several diagnostic labels into one broad term—autism spectrum disorder—has created a classification so broad that it can describe both those needing occasional help and those requiring lifelong care. This lack of precision means teachers, therapists, and insurers must make decisions based on a general label, often leading to inadequate support.
The debate over terminology distracts from the real issue at hand. While there may be disagreements on labels, ignoring the clear differences in needs between individuals with varying levels of support is not beneficial. Pretending those needs are the same does not promote equality; it makes it easier for institutions to offer generic solutions that fail everyone, particularly those unable to advocate for themselves.
The American Psychiatric Association should revise the next DSM to replace broad support levels with a multidimensional profile, detailing communication, intellectual functioning, adaptive living abilities, sensory and behavioral needs, safety risks, and support intensity. Schools, insurers, and public agencies should base services on these documented profiles rather than on a general label.
Employers must move away from socially loaded interviews and adopt skills-based assessments, reporting on the hiring, retention, and promotion of autistic applicants. Only then can neurodiversity commitments become genuine expressions of inclusion rather than mere public relations exercises.
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