04/06/2026
I'm pretty much always kind (to people that is. I do swear at things a lot)
And I like to think I'm pretty tolerant. So if you've got a disability then I've always been confident that kindness would be enough to make sure I said and did the right things.
But about 6 months ago, I saw someone online call out the offensiveness of saying 'everyone is on the spectrum'. At the time I didn't understand what was wrong with that. I'd probably said it myself, thinking that it was an inclusive way of making people feel that they weren't so different. A kind thing to say. 😬
But when it was explained, I totally get that it diminishes the experience of being on the spectrum and the challenges this can bring. People are neurodiverse, but not everyone is neurodivergent.
I'm not sure if I did ever say it to anyone, but realising that I may have offended someone if I had, made me feel a bit mortified tbh.
I don't over think many things, but being perceived as unkind is definitely one that I do!
And I have friends, and recently a diagnosed family member who are Autistic, so I thought I could do with knowing more. So when an advert for a course on Understanding Autism popped into my inbox last month, I thought hmmm.
And I want to bring that knowledge to my photo sessions too, so I signed up.
In home family documentary sessions are pretty fab anyways for anyone who doesn't like new and unfamiliar places or sensory overloads - and especially if they don't like their routines being changed.
Afterall, I just come and photograph what's happening anyway in the familiar place. So apart from a new face to get used to, it's pretty comfortable. And I was never gonna force anyone to look at the camera and smile anyway, that's not what I do.
I'm only into my second module, but it's been really interesting so far and I'm hoping to learn a lot from it to add to my kindness :-)
If you have an autistic person in your life (or if you are one!) - know that getting beautiful photos of your life is not ruled out, and it doesn't need to be a cause of stress or distress!
I'd love to be the one to help you to have some. With kindness, and now a little bit more knowledge xx
