Community Isn’t One Size Fits All

An autistic perspective on interdependence and independence in the autistic community.

Interdependence is the reliance on something or someone to get an action completed. For example, the grocery store depends on suppliers to get the food. The suppliers depend on the farms to grow the crops that are harvested and sold to the store. The three entities in this example could not function without the other.

Interdependence is often intertwined with building community. A community that is supportive and allows all its members to thrive. Society is interdependent, but that doesn’t mean it is a positive dependence.

On the contrary, independence is freedom from control and the ability to make choices without interference. Some would argue that independence is subjective or that it doesn’t exist at all.

Freedom is subjective just as independence is subjective.

As an autistic adult, I self-advocate. I had no choice but to learn the tools to navigate neurotypical life to get the help and support I need. Even with the tools to advocate, I still have not always received the resources I need.

There are more barriers than support for autistic people.

Balancing interdependence

Yes, interdependence is woven into the fabric of society. However, this quality can be toxic and does not mean you will have what you need to survive.

• Information is not accessible — so autistic people create access.
• Work placement programs are not accessible — so autistic people fight for access.
• Educational systems reject the autistic way of learning — so autistic people self-advocate for acceptance.

Not all autistic people are the same. The diversity in the community can create an obstacle to access because it is not a one size fits all solution. In this way, interdependence is problematic.

Society closes its eyes to the reality of diversity. This is where independence is the only way to get the support you need. Self-advocating outside of the community helps people understand how to support the individual.

The community as a whole needs acceptance and support, but so do the individual needs of autistic people. For those that are not in a place to self-advocate the interdependence needs to include diversity.

The autistic community must come together to promote diversity in resources, customized support, and acceptance of each person’s needs.

• Interdependence only works if the community is open-minded.
• Interdependence only works if the people in the community think independently.

One voice to speak for the entire community is not possible. Therefore, there must be room for opinions, counter-opinions, and disagreements for the community to truly be inclusive.

Interdependence exists in every part of life. Independence is subjective. Creating a community incorporates both of these things to build a space of safety, support, and acceptance. These two facts of life are not mutually exclusive.