Ben Gilbert

ALT Black text on newspaper. I was Sabrina — until age 18, when I was given access to robust alternative communication tools and appropriate supports. The police called me a “hitter, biter, and spitter.” My teachers said I was “extremely challenging.” My parents were told they needed to send me somewhere — that they could not keep me or themselves safe at home. Like Sabrina, I was in a perpetual state of discomfort and distress. I was restrained and secluded hundreds of times. Autistic people frequently face restraint and seclusion due to not having the support and services we need. This leads to a buildup of trauma, and unnecessary interactions with law enforcement and emergency room staff. We are not doing enough to support autistic people with communication needs. We must focus on the cause of this distress, rather than how it’s showing up. It was hard and took time, but when I was supported this way, things shifted dramatically. Jordyn Zimmerman, Hudson, Ohio.