Understanding Autism

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What Is Sensory Processing Like For Autistic People?

Autistic people process our senses differently, and that’s okay! Autism makes us who we are, and sensory processing is an important part of being autistic. People should try and understand autism and how it makes us different, instead of trying to change us.

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Meltdowns: How Autistic Humans Experience Crises

There are far too many examples of autistic people being arrested or sectioned, let alone reprimanded or ostracised, for having a meltdown—a reaction to difficulty and stress that is normal to our way of being, but not nearly well enough understood by others.

Photo (light-painting) by the author: a spectral outline around a hand and arm, raised as if to flap, on a black background

Starting Points for Understanding Autism

I believe that the best way to understand autistic minds is in terms of a thinking style which tends to concentrate resources in a few interests and concerns at any time, rather than distributing them widely.

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Why I Do Not Hate Autism

Do autistic people suffer? Sadly yes, lots of us do. Do we suffer from autism? No, I do not think so. That is why I do not hate autism.

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The Problems with Functioning Labels

Functioning labels do not always relate to people’s real skills and can be based on hurtful stereotypes about autistic people. They also assume that people’s skills cannot change over time.

Young Filipino girl with long black hair seated at a play table, looking unhappily up at the camera, while an adult leans in and talks at her.

Eye Contact: For The Recipient’s Validation Only

Eye contact, who’s it for? It’s not for the autistic child. It’s for the recipient. It’s for their own validation to reassure them that you know they exist. That you are aware they are speaking that you comply. That you acknowledge them.

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