Autism and Neurodiversity
These posts shine a spotlight on authentic perspectives of autistic and neurodiverse writers, covering the topics that matter most in their communities.
- Activism and Advocacy
- Autism and Neurodiversity
- Community Living
- Criminal Justice
- Disability History and Culture
- Disability Vote
- Education
- Emergency Preparedness
- Employment
- Family
- Health
- LGBTQIA+
- Media
- Mental Health
- Policy
- Race and Disability
- Relationships and Sex
- Sexual Harassment and Abuse
- Storytellers
- Technology
- Transportation
What I Wish People Knew About Sensory Processing Issues
I’ve had sensory processing disorder my entire life. As a kid, it meant that I sometimes went to occupational therapy to practice my cursive handwriting and speech. As an adult, it might take a few minutes for me to recognize…
Shock Therapy is Still Legal. It’s Time to #StopTheShock.
The Judge Rotenberg Center, an educational and residential facility in Canton, Massachusetts, says it has a “near zero rejection policy,” accepting autistic people and those with developmental disabilities and mental health conditions whose families say they have nowhere…
15 Autistic Activists You Should Follow This Autism Acceptance Month
It was around late 2012 or early 2013 when I first stumbled across the #ActuallyAutistic community online. Before I found the community, my ideas about what it means to be autistic came from my personal experience or from limited and …
Autistic People are Taking Back Autism “Awareness.” It’s About Acceptance.
As a joke a few years ago, I posted on April 2 (widely celebrated as World Autism Awareness Day), “I think you’re all aware, but I’m autistic.” I was sick of seeing photos of non-autistic people on fundraising walks for …
#BoycottToSiri Highlights Why Non-Autistic People Must Stop Speaking Over the Autistic Community
The experience of being an autistic person isn’t universal, but there is one thing that we’ve all experienced—non-autistic (or “allistic”) people speaking over us. A recent example of this is To Siri With Love, a memoir by Judith Newman …
Why We Need More Research on How Substance Abuse Impacts the Autistic Community
I will always remember the first few times I tried an alcoholic beverage. I was around the age of eighteen, and at first found the feeling very uncomfortable. Even a slight buzz—just a partial alcoholic beverage—changes my perception and how …
Why Healthcare Providers Need to Recognize and Respect Neurodiversity
Growing up as an undiagnosed autistic girl, I had many “behaviors” that baffled my parents and medical professionals. Seemingly unprovoked meltdowns, ritualistic, repetitive movements, and episodes of compulsive self-injury were explained away as a part of puberty, or diagnosed as…