Why Autism education is essential.

I guess in a way this post is sort of a rant. In the last few months my other half started a job telling them at the interview she had Aspergers. Three weeks in and the Autism word comes up in conversation with her manager. His reply 'If I knew you were Autistic and of lower intelligence I never would have employed you.' Needless to say that job didn't last a lot longer than that.

Hearing this made my blood boil. Aspergers does not affect intelligence as he suggested. It is known that those with Aspergers are intelligent and with an IQ to challenge MENSA, my other half falls into this category.

My other half, yes she was upset at first but then she told me it's the same thing she has faced so many times. On applications you have to state your disability yet half the time it means you are put in the reject bin. Am I exaggerating? I don't think so. Although employers like to think that they are all inclusive and representative in the workplace, I know from my own experience, that most workplaces aren't. As for her, she's had to pick herself up yet again from the blow of being called out for being different, yes it's taken a while, she's struggled with it, but we are getting there.

My point...More people need to be educated about Aspergers and Autism. So it affects the way she communicates with people, but that doesn't mean a person is any less intelligent. A job is hard enough for someone who is sensory stimulation and communication challenges without the same old ignorance. The stigma that surrounds Autism and intelligence or capability needs to go.

Have you been through similar? What else can we do?