I’m Autistic and Scared of Your Dog
Some of My Favorite Summer Places Feel Perilous When People Flout Leash Laws
It’s a beautiful summer day in Venice, California, and everyone seems to be out enjoying the beach—except for me.
I am profoundly autistic. As a result, I may jump up and down at strange moments or laugh uncontrollably. I cannot speak at all except for a few rote phrases, though I can write with the aid of a letter board or electronic device. And I am profoundly afraid of the dogs off their leashes that seem to be everywhere, especially in summertime.
It does not matter how small or large the dog …
