The autism charity AsIAm has released a report indicating that the casual use of the term 'autistic' to describe certain behaviors is demeaning to those who are actually autistic. Chief executive Adam Harris noted that 85% of autistic individuals feel there is a societal misunderstanding of their condition. He criticized phrases like 'isn't everybody a little bit autistic,' stating that they diminish the real experiences of autistic people, who face significant barriers in society. The report also highlighted that 91% of those surveyed believe the government is not doing enough to combat misinformation regarding autism. Despite nearly 90% of the public being aware of autism, 73% still perceive a stigma associated with it. Junior minister Emer Higgins acknowledged that the government has missed its deadline for implementing the National Autism Strategy but emphasized the importance of actions over timelines. The report calls for better communication and understanding, exemplified by the story of Fiachra Ryan, the first non-verbal autistic graduate from Atlantic Technological University, who advocates for greater awareness.