The words “disability” or “disabled” often carry negative connotations, seen by some as signs of helplessness. But for people like me, disability is a meaningful part of our identity. Sadly, many autistic individuals internalize society’s ableism—viewing their autism as a flaw and avoiding discussion out of shame. This stigma isn’t their fault; it reflects a broader societal issue where ableism shows up as discrimination, devaluation, and even violence. Unsurprisingly, disclosure rates remain low—only 39% of employees disclose to managers and just 24% to coworkers, with only 4% of companies mentioning disability in their reporting. Many fear judgment, limited opportunities, or outright harassment—fears I’ve also experienced firsthand.