An Open Letter from Someone on the Autism Spectrum
Dear Americans, we need to talk
- ChatGPT hat ein mit gezielten Prompts das Titelbild von "Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head" mit den Protagonisten Beavis und Butt-Head angepasst, sodass da nun steht: "America's Donald & Robert", passenderweise mit den Portraits von Donald Trump und RFK Jr.
- Foto: ChatGPT
- hochgeladen von Stephan Alberti-Riedl
Dear Americans,
Back in 2012, when I was studying English and chose to specialize in American English (you know, back when the English-speaking world still seemed to have something resembling common sense), I was captivated. As someone on the autism spectrum (Asperger’s, if you go by the ICD-10), I found clarity, rhythm, and boldness in American culture — from your music and media to your emphasis on freedom and individuality.
I chose American English over British English because it had a raw, unapologetic energy. Across the pond, the letter "R" doesn’t vanish mid-word, and the language itself seemed alive — assertive, even. I admired that. And let’s not forget: The Independent Living Movement began in the U.S. and helped shape the rights of disabled people in Germany and elsewhere. For that, I am genuinely grateful.
But immersion also reveals contradiction. And so, here we are.
Let me give you the basic gist:
1. Extreme politeness over uncomfortable truths.
Yes, Americans are polite. Incredibly so. But sometimes that politeness comes at the cost of honesty — especially when the truth is inconvenient or uncomfortable. Saying what needs to be said becomes harder than saying what someone wants to hear.
2. An allergy to complexity.
There is a tendency toward black-and-white thinking. Nuance often gets lost — especially in areas like education, science, or social justice. Take the theory of evolution: instead of embracing it as a way to understand the intricacies of life (and perhaps even deepen spiritual appreciation), many reject it outright. The same goes for gender, disability, or mental health studies. It's as if thinking too hard might short-circuit something. (Spoiler: It won’t.)
3. Christianity as a pass, not a path.
Let me be clear: faith can be beautiful. But when religion becomes a loophole for avoiding responsibility — “commit atrocities, then ask for forgiveness” — it ceases to be spiritual and becomes dangerous. Especially when empathy gets thrown out the window. If your beliefs separate you from the suffering of others — particularly disabled or marginalized people — something has gone deeply wrong.
4. Awareness over understanding.
Raising awareness is good. But it’s only the first step. Without depth, it becomes performative. Whether the issue is climate change, war, or inequality, awareness campaigns without real education or action can end up as hollow gestures.
Which brings me to autism — the reason I’m writing.
Autism is not caused by vaccines, bad parenting, or spiritual imbalance. It’s a natural variation of the human brain — innate, lifelong, and neither a curse nor a superpower. It affects social interaction, sensory processing and perception. But it also often comes with deep focus, unique interests, and a desire for clarity and honesty — things the world sorely needs.
All it takes for autistic people to thrive is access to support, meaningful opportunities, and — most importantly — empathy. Not pity. Not fear. Just human understanding.
Whatever Trump, RFK Jr., or others have claimed about autism should be taken with the same seriousness you'd give a medical opinion from Beavis and Butt-Head — entertaining, perhaps, but completely unqualified.
If you're American and still reading: congratulations. It means your attention span and reading comprehension exceed that of many who lead your country. Yes, the bar is low — but hey, it's a bar.
Sincerely
Stephan Alberti-Riedl
P.S. I owe Beavis and Butt-Head an apology. They're dumb, sure — but at least they don't try to pass off their nonsense as public health policy.
Links:
The German version of this letter
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