This Autism Acceptance Month, I want to bring to light one of my favorite strengths and protective factors to the Autistic lived experience: 
Autistic joy
Autistic joy can be described as an all-encompassing excitement and feeling of joy that Autistic folks experience. This can sometimes feel like tingling sensations all over the body, an increase in energy and engagement, being flooded with warmth, feeling completely consumed by the emotion, and the need to move and stim to release the intense feeling. It is important to note that this can be an overwhelming or intense experience for some.
When I think of Autistic joy, I am reminded of several moments, both professionally and personally. Images come to me, like flipping through an old photo album: family members bursting into tears over pure excitement while anticipating an event related to their special interest, students’ faces lighting up at the mention of their favorite current hyperfixation by a trusted adult, my own warm fuzzy feelings at the opportunity to info dump, and the excitement of meeting a fellow Autist and bonding over our lived experiences. If I could bottle this feeling and tap into its reserves on a gloomy, low-spoons day, I would. Nothing compares to this radiating emotion.
Joy is such a unique human experience; we all experience joy differently. However, some folks experience this emotion more intensely than others (hence the term Autistic joy). The reason this is so important is that Autistic folks are often discouraged from expressing their joy and are told they are “too much” or to “calm down.” When we are told things like this or when our joy is met with dismissive or judgmental responses, we can become discouraged from expressing our authentic selves and reactions. This perpetuates masking and camouflaging our Autistic traits to be accepted by others (which *spoiler alert* is not good for our mental health).
What may be seemingly small to some is actually a big deal to others. I recall a time when I was at the bookstore with my partner and came across a childhood book I love. I was elated; it was hard to contain my excitement. I began bouncing up and down, grinning egregiously, shaking my hands, and talking so fast about why this book was important to me while narrating different plot points (hello, special interest infodumping ). This was me, fully unmasked at 28 years old, experiencing Autistic joy. I’m sure I got a few looks from fellow patrons browsing the aisles, wondering how someone could be so excited over a book. Instead of displaying embarrassment at my ‘making a scene’ in a public space, or discouraging me from expressing myself authentically, my partner just smiled and engaged in my joy by asking me questions about the book, leaning into the Autistic joy by meeting me with their own joy. I ended up purchasing the book, and the cashier and I had a lovely bonding moment over the story.
We often hear about the challenges of Autism, but we don’t spend enough time talking about the joyful moments we experience, too. I’ve had many moments throughout my life where I felt ashamed for experiencing joy in the ways I do; joy is a full-body experience for me, and that excitement has to go somewhere. Repressing joy leads to shame and often, resentment and discouragement from experiencing the emotion altogether. This unfiltered expression of joy is a part of the Autistic experience I will continue to encourage in myself and others. It matters.
Here are some reminders for my fellow Autistic folks:
- You are not ‘too much.’
- You are allowed to experience joy.
- You are allowed to express joy in whatever way feels good in your body.
- It’s okay if the ways you express your joy are different from others.
- You deserve to be loved by people who love you as your authentic self.
- Like all emotions, joy can feel overwhelming. It’s okay if it wears you out. You are allowed to rest.
- Your joy is CONTAGIOUS. Spread it around like dandelion seeds. You never know where it might take root.