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Autistic Pride
I provide information to help people understand the difference between awareness, acceptance, and appreciation. Many Autistics find awareness campaigns harmful. I explain why Autistic voices need to be centred in these conversations.
Flipping The Script On Autism Awareness
That time I did a radio interview and was predictably awkward
I was recently interviewed for a local CBC radio program called Up To Speed. The assistant producer contacted me to set up the interview because they wanted to centre Autistic voices in the conversation.
That in itself is a wonderful change in the narrative — typically it’s allistic (non-Autistic) organizations speaking on our behalf, without even consulting or listening to us.
I’m very glad the interview was pre-recorded because I was extremely nervous and rambling and awkward. I have no idea how much of the interview will make the cut (my apologies to whoever is tasked with editing).
Fortunately I did have the opportunity to talk about Autistic pride versus pathologization and identity-first language. We discussed how and why the puzzle-piece and deficits model are harmful, self-identification (i.e. self-diagnosing Autism), and touched lightly on barriers to formal diagnosis.
The interview won’t be aired until Wednesday afternoon, so to tide you over until then, I share with you my writings on these topics (and more!).
Autistic Pride
April is Autistic Pride Month
Social Skills Advice For Neurotypicals
Autistic Communication Differences
Autism “awareness” campaigns tell parents to “watch out” for the warning signs their child could be Autistic. They spread hurtful messages about how hard it is to live with an Autistic person. Moving far beyond "awareness", we celebrate our AuSomeness.
Autistic Communication Differences
Social Skills Advice For Neurotypicals
Autistic Communication Differences
Sometimes the established ways of doing things are in need of upgrades **Please note: These are common characteristics of Autistic communication, which does *not* mean they apply to all Autistics.
Social Skills Advice For Neurotypicals
Social Skills Advice For Neurotypicals
Social Skills Advice For Neurotypicals
Some of you are nice people, but you need help with your social skills, so I’m going to give you my top three tips to help you improve your communication. (You’re welcome). This whole “respectful” communication thing has gone way too far...
I prefer identity-first language
Everyone Is Not “A Little" Autistic
Social Skills Advice For Neurotypicals
Why I prefer identity-first language. I’m Autistic, Not “On The Spectrum”. Please note: I only speak for myself, and it's important to respect individual preferences.
I Prefer Blunt People
Everyone Is Not “A Little" Autistic
Everyone Is Not “A Little" Autistic
I thought it was just a personal preference, but it turns out it's a lot more than that.
Everyone Is Not “A Little" Autistic
Everyone Is Not “A Little" Autistic
Everyone Is Not “A Little" Autistic
Everyone Is Not “A Little” ADHD or Autistic. A parent, we’ll call her “Karen”, made the comment "everybody's a little ADHD" in my presence recently.
Autistic Self-Advocacy
The “Highly Sensitive Person” is Code for Autistic
The “Highly Sensitive Person” is Code for Autistic
April is Autistic Pride Month! I recognize most neurotypical (NT) people who use these symbols have good intentions and are trying to support Autistic people. The first step to becoming an ally to a marginalized group is to actually listen to them...
The “Highly Sensitive Person” is Code for Autistic
The “Highly Sensitive Person” is Code for Autistic
The “Highly Sensitive Person” is Code for Autistic
I wrote this after reading an article arguing that highly sensitive people (HSP) and Autistic people are not the same. The article then went on to describe all the ways in which they are, in fact, The. Same. Thing.
HSP is still code for Autistic
The “Highly Sensitive Person” is Code for Autistic
HSP is still code for Autistic
At the beginning of this year, I wrote a piece entitled The “Highly Sensitive Person” is Code for Autistic, after reading a popular psychology article which claimed to differentiate the two, then described all the ways in which they are the same thing.
Neurodiversity 101
Virtual Autism is Not a Thing
HSP is still code for Autistic
Neurodiversity 101: For anyone new to neurodiversity and wanting to learn more. I'm genuinely proud to be different… (now). It wasn't always that way.
Virtual Autism is Not a Thing
Virtual Autism is Not a Thing
Virtual Autism is Not a Thing
Apparently some clinicians think this is an okay term to casually throw around. CityTV in Vancouver recently did a news story on the social & emotional difficulties faced by our younger students who have spent their formative years growing up in the midst of a global pandemic.
Flipping The Script on Autism
Virtual Autism is Not a Thing
Virtual Autism is Not a Thing
Customers have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.
Autism Acceptance
Autism “Bewareness” Campaigns: A Cautionary Tale
Autism “Bewareness” Campaigns: A Cautionary Tale
Autism “Bewareness” Campaigns: A Cautionary Tale
I realize that most neurotypical (NT) people who use these symbols have good intentions and are trying to support Autistic people. The best way to be an ally to a marginalized group is to actually listen to them.
Autism Awareness vs. Acceptance
Autism “Bewareness” Campaigns: A Cautionary Tale
Autism “Bewareness” Campaigns: A Cautionary Tale
Articles about some common experiences amongst Autistics, particularly during April, autism awareness month.
Autism Acceptance in April
Autism “Bewareness” Campaigns: A Cautionary Tale
Autistic Acceptance & Appreciation
Every April, many autistics experience re-traumatization through the use of blue profile frames and puzzle pieces everywhere. Every year, autistic activists and regular citizens try to educate others and are shouted down by neurotypicals who claim to know better.
Autistic Acceptance & Appreciation
Autistic Acceptance & Appreciation
Autistic Acceptance & Appreciation
Autistic Appreciation: We're well aware of autism. We need to start appreciating autistic people. Except the most well-known group which claims to support and advocate for autistics and their families actually perpetuates myths, stereotypes, and philosophies based in eugenics.
Autistics Are Not Puzzle Pieces
Autistic Acceptance & Appreciation
Autistics Are Not Puzzle Pieces
Some people saw my anti puzzle piece image and immediately began complaining that I was "shaming" parents of autistic children and autistics who choose to identify with the puzzle piece. This is not the case.
The “Autistic Divide”
Autistic Acceptance & Appreciation
Autistics Are Not Puzzle Pieces
Some claim that Actually Autistic advocates are “causing a divide” in the Autistic community, particularly between Neurotypical (NT) parents of Autistic children and Autistic adults.
How to Know if You're Autistic
How to Know if You're Autistic
How to Know if You're Autistic
Step one: learn from the experiences of actually autistic people. Spoiler alert: If you clicked this article, have been wondering if you might be autistic, and have been trying to research autistic traits — you probably are.
Atypical Autistic Traits
How to Know if You're Autistic
How to Know if You're Autistic
Challenging stereotypes and describing some lesser-known Autistic traits. Autism in cis-women, trans women, non-binary folks, and anyone who doesn't present the typical way. Many non-conforming and marginalized people are misdiagnosed.
ADHD & Autistic Assets
How to Know if You're Autistic
ADHD & Autistic Assets
Most literature about ADHD & autism focuses on our deficits, painting us as “disordered”, pathologizing our very existence. Yes, neurodivergent people struggle, as do neurotypical people. We also have a lot of strengths, gifts, & positive qualities.
Autism "Awareness" vs. Autism Acceptance
Autism "Awareness"
Autism "Awareness"
Autism "Awareness"
Often purveyed by neurotypical-led organizations.
Autism Acceptance
Autism "Awareness"
Autism "Awareness"
Grassroots movements started by Actually Autistic people.
How to Participate in Autistic Pride Month
Support Autistic Creators
Support Autistic content creators, artists, entrepreneurs, writers, etc. by buying, sharing, and promoting their work or business.
Autistic Pride Month
For April 2023, we'll be using the hashtags #AutisticPride and #DivergentVoices - Post your content using these hashtags, and we'll be sure to share and promote your work too. If you're not sure what to create, or need some inspiration, we've got some themes and prompts for the next five weeks.
Lead-up Week: March 24 - 31
- Beware the follies of Autism "Awareness"
- What is Neurodiversity? (pathology paradigm vs. strengths-focused, social model)
- What does ‘own voices’ mean? (why acting as an ally means shining the light on marginalized people, not oneself)
- What is the difference between identity-first language and person-first language? Why many Autistics prefer ID-first language.
- How it makes us feel when parents and certain organizations talk about how “hard” it is to have Autistic children.
- The importance of community, what the Autistic community means to you (finding our “people”, safe spaces, mutual understanding and support, etc.).
- CTA: a call to action for those who with to join/support our collaborative efforts in the month of April: information about how they can take part or support us.
Week One: April 1 - 7
- Why it's important to listen to Autistics (rather than Nt parents & NT-led organizations)
- How Autistic advocates have changed the public perception of Autism
- Autistic advocates who have made a difference in the trajectory of Autistic advocacy and Autistic culture;
- Why Autism Speaks is problematic and why Light It Up Blue (LIUB) is harmful
- Positive, neurodivergent-affirming alternatives to Autism Speaks and Light It Up Blue
- Autistics forced A$ to rebrand and switch gears;
- Why the puzzle piece isn't ideal symbolism for Autism/Autistic people;
- The Judge Rotenberg Centre (JRC) - why it needs to be shut down;
- Recommended books by Autistic authors and affirming books about Autism
Week Two: April 8 - 14
- What neurodiversity means;
- What does it mean to be neurodivergent;
- Highlight different neurotypes under the neurodivergent umbrella;
- Why neurodiversity is important for society' the history of the neurodiversity movement;
- Neurodivergent culture and communication;
- Highlight neurodivergent advocates past and present;
- How "neurodivergent" doesn't just mean autism and/or ADHD;
- Mental illness is neurodivergence;
- Lesson plan ideas for teaching students about neurodiversity
Week Three: April 15 - 21
- When is a formal diagnosis appropriate and necessary or unnecessary;
- The pros and cons of formal diagnosis;
- Why it's important to accept informed self-diagnosis (self-identification)
- The lack of access to diagnosticians and other barriers preventing formal diagnoses;
- Diagnostic rates and how they're reported (and the way they can be manipulated to push specific agendas);
- Personal diagnosis experiences, the aftermath of diagnosis (did it help, hurt, or both);
- What happens after diagnosis (what should you do with that information, for yourself and/or your loved one); etc.
Week Four (Pt. 1): April 22 - 30
- Accessing services and supports as an adult;
- Why neurodiversity matters in the workplace (neurodivergent inclusion);
- Dating and relationships as a neurodivergent person;
- Parenting as a neurodivergent person;
- Personal experiences on which jobs/careers work best for your neurotype(s);
- Advocacy within our personal lives and what that looks like (navigating family, friends, coworkers, employers, neighbours, etc.);
- How neurodivergent traits may change as we get older and gain more life experience
Week Four (Pt. 2): April 22 - 30
- Why neurodiversity acceptance is important in academic environments;
- What acceptance, access, and inclusion should look like for neurodivergent students in academic environments;
- Mainstreaming vs. segregated education: pros & cons.
- Moving away from “special” education and embracing adaptive, inclusive, and accessible education;
- Educational programs focusing on making education and academic opportunities more accessible;
- The importance of neurodivergent representation amongst educators, administrative boards, student-led organizations, etc.;
- Access to college/university and how we can help neurodivergent students thrive in post-secondary educational environments;
- Accessing supports & services in academic environments: how to do so, what they look like, what they should ideally look like, etc.;
- Commonly used terms and frequently experienced issues when dealing with creating individual educational plans for students and other education advocacy situations.
Special Thanks
Special thanks to Giraffe Party for their hard work in developing these weekly themes, prompts, and ideas. Find more on their website at https://imapartygiraffe.com/neurodiversityvoices2023
Download images for social media
I have free images available in my online store for download to help you celebrate Autistic pride month in style!