Autism in 2017: The Year in Review
Public perceptions and opinions
Notably, in June of this year, Senator Pauline Hanson of Queensland, Australia made public remarks about how autistic children were keeping other children from performing well in school. While her remarks are concerning, especially coming from a public official, they were met with widespread outrage from parents, teachers, autistic individuals, and advocates. Many were quick to point out that autistic individuals should not be singled out in such a manner, and that encouraging children to work across differences actually enriches all of their lives.