Psst. Guess what? It’s April 1st. Do you know what that means?

Okay, yeah, it’s April Fools’ Day. But there’s no fooling here. April is Autism Acceptance & Awareness Month.

While the rest of the world is busy planning pranks, those of us in the trenches of education and parenting know that life is already unpredictable enough. We don’t need “short-sheeted beds”—we need shorter meetings, more inclusive playgrounds, and definitely more coffee.

In the spirit of “No Fooling,” I want to clear up some of the myths people still believe:

> The “Rain Man” Stereotype: No. Not every Autistic person is a math genius. They are individuals with unique strengths, messy rooms, and favorite snacks—just
like the rest of us.

> The “Eye Contact” Obsession: Why are we so obsessed with where people look? Forced eye contact can be physically painful or distracting for neurodivergent
folks. You don’t need to stare at my soul to hear what I’m saying.

> The “Good Parent” Myth: If your kid is having a meltdown in the middle of Target, it doesn’t make you a bad parent, and it doesn’t make them a bad kid. It’s not
“naughty”—it’s Tuesday.

And here’s the biggest “No Fooling” truth of all:

Awareness is just the invitation to the party; Acceptance is actually asking someone to dance.

It’s great that you know what the ribbon looks like, but are you willing to change the way you teach, hire, or interact to make space for someone who thinks differently?

This month, let’s trade the “foolishness” for some actual understanding. Let’s stop trying to “fix” people and start fixing the environments that make life harder for them.

Pass the ice cream (and maybe a stiff drink later), because we have work to do. We’re moving beyond the fluff and getting into the real, messy, beautiful science of being human.

What’s one “No Fooling” truth you wish people understood about your journey? Drop it in the comments—cuss words optional, but totally acceptable.

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