Now That We Know Sia Is Autistic
When autistic people aren’t centered in things about us, it creates an ecosystem where an autistic person like Sia who does not understand herself as autistic creates a film like “Music.”
Ableism
A True Story About Autistic Suicidality
My brother died because of ableism. Because people—including very close family—were terrified to face his neurodivergence, and his disability.
April and Accommodations: I Ask Questions Because I Can’t Read Your Mind!
Please do not get mad at me when I ask for clarification. I am not challenging you, I want to understand what you are trying to convey and because I have not learned to read minds (YET!).
Why Elon Musk Being Autistic Isn’t That Great For Autistic People
My message to Elon Musk is this: If you want to be enthusiastically welcomed into the autistic community, act like a member of our community. Familiarize yourself with the issues facing less privileged members of our community, and pass the mic over to them. And, for goodness’ sake, stop promoting sci-fi solutions to our problems.
Things Left Unsaid: “I Am Autism” 10 Years Later
[image: Screen capture from the Autism Speaks video I Am Autism, with an African American child sitting on a slide, facing away from the camera. The YouTube video toolbar is visible, above title text reading, “I Am Autism commercial by Autism Speaks”.] Zephyr Ash Ostrowski thefilmroom.org “Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither
Forcing Friendships Doesn’t Equal Autistic Youth Gaining Social Skills
An autistic young person has the right to have an active and willing agency in the process of deciding who to befriend, what boundaries should be set on such friendships and who they are just not comfortable with.
Stop Claiming Autistic People Who Commit Sex Crimes “Don’t Know Any Better”
Something makes autistic men who commit sex crimes decide not that what they do is wrong, necessarily, but that the wrongness of what they do is irrelevant. If we focus on autism, rather than whatever that thought process, is, we won’t do anything to prevent future crimes. All we’ll do is continue to stigmatize autistic people.
Autism and Intense Interests: Why We Love What We Love and Why It Should Matter to You
The next time you are tempted to tell an Autistic person their interest is silly, trivial, a waste of time, weird, or pointless, stop—and remember why we love what we love. We are somebody, too, and we must be respected, protected, and never rejected.
How Visual and Literal Thinking Can Shape Autistic Experiences
Patricia George www.persnicketypatricia.ca Literal Thinking [image: Two stills from the movie Singin’ in the Rain: Top: Gene Kelly as the popular actor Don Lockwood being mobbed by fans, with white overlaid text reading, “Hey, Cos, do something. Call me a cab!” and bottom: Donald O’Connor as Cosmo Brown, speaking nonchalantly with white overlaid text reading,
Why Belittling Self-Advocates Hurts Autistic People of All Ages and Abilities
Maxfield Sparrow unstrangemind.com [image: Screenshot of Inigo Montoya and Vizzini from the movie The Princess Bride, with white overlaid block text reading, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.] Last week, the San Francisco Autism Society of America (SFASA) held its 16th annual conference at Stanford