Not Constructive - Tumblr Posts
On the surface, 100%, this makes sense. At the same time, it really pisses me off. I think the issue I have with this is that it's one of those statements that at face value is true, but it completely disregards the life experiences of people with autism and ADHD. I was really into goosebumps book, I think in grade 4, but I read at an advanced level, and I recall well meaning people trying to get me to read more advanced books. The books I was reading weren't "good enough" for someone with my abilities, and no one understood that if I didn't enjoy it, I could not get through it. This repeated in grade 6 with Babysitters Club, grade 7 with Nancy Drew, grade 8 with Lurlene McDaniel, and then I moved onto romance. Romance books are trash I was told, and in grade 9 when I moved on to Star Trek novels, they weren't "real" books. Then it wasn't good enough later on when I read Da Vinci code, pop trash really. A few years ago, my reading through urban fantasy was a "little immature" because they were fantasy. More recently, I was told listening to audiobooks isn't really reading, and I should actually read books. It doesn't matter that between work, chores, etc. that my main "free" time is in the car. I read fanfiction at night, and I do watch kids shows, but I don't talk about them because I have learned this will result in what was said by OP. I have spent a lifetime reading, and yes I have read classics, Shakespeare, Little Women, Pride and Prejudice. I have read thousands of books including non-fiction, but every step of the way I have had people from the side line giving their unsolicited opinions that what I am reading is "not good enough" "not right" and then framing it as "just saying" or "for my own good" but really, shove off. You have no idea how informed I am, or what else you aren't seeing me read, watch, or experience, and while the initial comment wasn't ableist, that follow up was tone deaf AF. Nobody tells a NT man that he shouldn't limit his interests to sports, because that is a socially acceptable limitation. Limiting exposure is only an issue when the thing you are limiting to is not in fashion for your age, gender, and country. I for one am sick of being told that no matter how many new things I read, watch, or experience, that I am never quite hitting that target, and always need to be trying more. Sometimes I just need a damn break, and to rewatch that show for the ninth time. So no, saying that people should read things other than fanfiction and kids shows isn't ableist, but when you give unsolicited opinions to people who have have spent their entire lives being criticized for every book they read, show they watch, food they eat, and move they make, then you shouldn't be surprised when those people are upset by yet another well meaning person who is only seeing the tip of the iceberg.
i promise its not ableist when people say you should try things that arent kids shows and fanfiction