Part 4/6:
An interesting aspect of the fallout resulted from some individuals using neurodiversity as a shield for the controversial gesture. They suggested that the individual’s behavior could be attributed to being “autistic.” This perspective triggered backlash, as many members of the autistic community voiced frustration. They argued that utilizing autism as a justification for such conduct was not representative of their experiences. In fact, it revealed a disconnection between rhetoric and the reality of autism advocacy, further muddling the discourse surrounding it.