Bullying and Autism

Hey guys. Since schools have officially started, I wanted to talk about bullying. I'm sorry that this is a more serious blog, but I feel that this has to be addressed, and this can't wait until October. I'm not sugar coating this either, I'm going to be as realistic and honest as possible.
OK, here's the reality: bullying happens. Autistic kids and teens do have a 50/50 chance of being bullied, even though most likely, they will. I'm not trying to be discouraging or mean, I'm telling you this because I was bullied from preschool all the way up until my last semester of senior year. I know how it feels and what it is, and that's why I'm being honest and I'm going to give some insight and advice.
The reason why bullying happens to EVERYONE, not just Autistic people like me is because sadly, there are mean and cruel people in this world. Some people want to feel more proud of themselves, and they go so far as to picking on people to feel that way. Why bullying happens to Autistic kids, teens, and young adults, I have no idea. All I know is that it's not only mean, it's sickening in my opinion.
Kids have called me "stupid", "dumb", "weirdo", "cry baby", "sensitive", and the r-word that I still cringe at to this day: "retard". Just repeating the hurtful words they've called me still hurts. I was also poked at, laughed at, picked on, and I was even shoved and pushed. It brings back bitter memories I long to have erased from my mind. I still remember the taunts, and the whispers from actual grown-ups, and the jokes. I don't understand WHY it happens, all I do know is that it does. People don't understand how much we hurt because we are extra sensitive. People don't know what we go through every day, living the life we live with the Autism we didn't choose to have. Again, we need more knowledge, more acceptance. I think if people can see how we function and how extraordinary we are, they would be more understanding, and more accepting, and less mean.
So, I'm going to leave you with some advice today:
To the bullies: Why? Why choose those who are obviously weaker than you? It's not right, it's rude. It's cruel. Bullying someone doesn't make you any more of a bigger person, it makes you less of a person because instead of being a buddy, you chose to be a bully, and that's just mean. My advice to you, specifically is to educate yourself on Autism. Ask grown-ups about it, read books, watch documentaries and movies, whatever you need to do to learn more about Autism and what we go through, do it. We don't want your cruel and mean bullying anymore, and we will not have it. I'll be praying for you.
To the parents of the Autistic kids and teens getting bullied: Keep doing what you're doing. Keep talking to them. Keep loving on them. Keep making them feel better. Your love and support is all they need to feel better and feel okay. I'm no parent expert or a Ph.D or something like that, but ensure your child that even though it's said doesn't make it true. Remind them that bullies are just mean, and to not mind what they say, even though it can be tough to do.
And lastly...
To the Autistic kids and teens, and every child and teen for that matter, who are bullied: Don't give up. Don't pay them any attention. That's what bullies want. You may not know it, but you are such strong people and you can do anything you set your mind to. Write in a journal, or the #1 best thing you can do is talking to someone about it. Whether it be your parents, friends, or a grown-up, I found that doing that has helped me cope the best. Another thing that has helped me is praying. I encourage you to pray, even if you aren't religious. Just know that even though they say mean things about you doesn't make it true. They just don't know anything about you. Also, be kind to them, that's what's going to make them stop. And remember, stay strong and never give up.