Being Taken Advantage Of

About “Being Taken Advantage Of”

The author met their favorite autistic mentee, who remarked, "You don’t look like prey!" They discussed how both feel perceived as vulnerable due to appearance, body language, and mannerisms. The author discovered that neurodiverse people are often victims of exploitation, a realization sparked by researching crime statistics and autism. The phrase "getting taken advantage of" includes both unfair use by others and the victim's complicity. Many neurodiverse individuals experience being taken advantage of, often due to being easily fooled into accepting unfair situations. This zine shares advice and personal stories to highlight the neurodiverse experience, aiming to show these individuals as real and whole. A common theme was the experience of being taken advantage of, with many neurodiverse people describing survival from various forms of abuse. The stories offer context, humor, and solutions to help overcome these challenges. Living in society makes it hard to avoid ableism, leading many to see themselves as lesser rather than simply different.