However, many of the metaphors which surround autism foster the exclusion of Autistic people by portraying us as non-entities – corpses, empty shells – or as beings without agency, awaiting rescue. These metaphorical constructions of autism do not encourage non-disabled people to take Autistic opinions seriously; they only increase the stigma associated with autism in our society. As long as people prefer to think of autism as a kidnapper, a killer, a barrier, or an opposing army, as opposed to merely another aspect of personhood, Autistic people will not be truly accepted.
