College Student Gives Autistic Classmate a ‘Hard Task’: Heartless or Empowering?

Picture this: you’re in college, working on a group project, and one of your teammates is autistic. You’ve been advised to only give her the easy tasks, but what if she wants more? What if she’s tired of being treated as ‘incapable’? In this emotional rollercoaster of a story, we follow a student who decides to break the mold and give their autistic classmate a chance to shine. But not everyone is happy about it…

Meet Melissa: The Autistic Classmate

Group Project Dilemma

The ‘Easy Task’ Decision

Melissa’s Quick Finish

A Courageous Offer

The Heartfelt Confession

Melissa’s Frustration

A Change of Heart ❤️

Teamwork Triumphs

The Group’s Reaction

Accusations Fly

Empowering Melissa: Right or Wrong? ‍♀️

When a college student finds themselves paired with Melissa, an autistic classmate, for a group project, they’re told to only give her easy tasks. However, after Melissa finishes quickly and bravely asks to help with more challenging tasks, the student decides to defy the group’s advice. Melissa’s eyes spark with joy as she participates, but the group’s reaction is anything but supportive. Accused of being selfish and cold-hearted, the student is left wondering if they did the right thing. Now, let’s dive into some top responses from the internet, and see what people think about this emotional situation…

Defending a classmate with autism from limitations.

Empowering comment from an autistic person. Functioning labels don’t work.

Inclusive mindset: treating autistic individuals with respect and equality.

Empowering act of kindness towards Autistic classmate

Empowering or not? Autistic classmate completes tasks efficiently.

Standing up against ableism and advocating for a classmate

Breaking down harmful disability stereotypes and promoting inclusivity.

Defending against ableist accusations, commenter praises OP’s actions. NTA

Breaking stereotypes and making friends. NTA, good job!

Empowering comment defends autistic student’s capabilities

Inclusive college student stands up for autistic classmate.

Empowering comment defends challenging autistic classmate.

Empowering Melissa to take on a challenge. #NTA

Treating people with disabilities with respect and dignity

Inclusive task assignment for autistic classmate praised as empowering.

Empowering act of kindness towards classmate with autism.

Empowering college student receives NTA judgement for helping classmate.

NTA commenter emphasizes importance of educating oneself about autism spectrum.

Empowering response to ableism in college group project.

Empowering an autistic classmate, correcting ableism.

Empowering act of kindness towards an autistic classmate.

NTA praised for empowering act, recommends KDrama on autism.

Empowering move to not coddle and give chance to prove.

Empowering comment defending autistic classmate’s intelligence

Autistic commenter defends capability and efficiency, praises understanding.

Autistic commenter praises OP for empowering, not degrading, classmate.

Empathetic response to accommodating differently-abled people.

Autistic commenter calls out ableism in teammate’s bigotry. YTA.

College ableism: Autistic students face bullies in public and college. NTA

Autistic classmate likely excels in subject, NTA according to commenter.

Focus on work quality, not tone. NTA, thanks for engaging.

Autistic college student praised for being capable, NTA

Empowering or insensitive? NTA says it’s all in perspective.

Empowering Melissa despite her condition. NTA in spades!

Empowering an autistic classmate to help is not heartless. #NTA

Treating an autistic classmate as an equal – NTA

Autistic woman defends classmate, educates about autism spectrum.

Empowering an autistic classmate: NTA for giving a ‘hard task’

Autistic classmate’s capabilities respected, commenter says NTA

Autistic individuals are often brilliant. NTA for empowering them!

Questioning ableist assumptions in group project, NTA wins

Empowering an autistic classmate despite condescending group members.

Treating a classmate with autism as a peer is NTA

Empowering move defended against insensitive idiots.

Autistic students are capable, conscientious and smart. Don’t underestimate them.

Empowering response to ableist group, advocating for autistic rights

College student not at fault, but accommodations should be considered.

Empowering comment defends autistic classmate and calls out ableism.

Fighting ableism and empowering classmates

Empowering moment as student with good intentions takes on challenge

Autistic person praises classmate for treating them as an equal

Standing up against ableism in group projects.

Autistic individuals are not ‘lesser’ or ‘stupid’ – NTA

Redditors question authenticity of story, but agree with NTA judgement.

User calls out made-up story about autistic classmate.

Autistic student shares frustration with being treated differently, despite capabilities

Autistic classmate is capable, classmates are ableist

Treating someone differently due to their ‘condition’ is discrimination. NTA.

Defending an autistic classmate against ableist classmates. NTA

Empowering a classmate with autism: NTA for letting her try

Discrimination against neuro-atypical people is unacceptable. NTA for empowering Melissa.

Supportive comment applauds correction of ableist behavior by classmates.

Misconceptions about Autism lead to unfair treatment. NTA

Empathetic comment applauds giving opportunity to classmate with autism.

Autistic professor defends NTA student against ableist classmates.

Excluding a capable person with autism is ableist and dehumanizing. #NTA

Treating an autistic classmate like a person is empowering.

Empathy and understanding towards disabled classmates is crucial

Empowering teamwork between classmates with different abilities

Defending the capable autistic student against ignorant assumptions

Autistic student doesn’t want to be babied, NTA

Fighting ableism: Autistic classmate deserves equal tasks. NTA

Curious comment seeks context for backlash

Disheartening comment brings negativity to heartwarming story.

Don’t underestimate people with ASD. Treat everyone with respect

ESH classmates need awareness of autism and to ask Melissa’s needs

Preschool lessons on empathy still apply. NTA wins.

Parent of child with autism praises empowering project collaboration

Supportive comment for parent of child with autism.

Standing up against prejudice and empowering a classmate. NTA

Empowering act towards autistic classmate, NTA. Job well done