I might be Autistic: Exploring and accepting my autism
By Monetta at Neuroclastic
I was sitting in the front seat of my then-boyfriend’s car when he looked over at me and said, “Sometimes I think you might be autistic.” I said, “I could be.” I did not know then that the fact that I did not deny a label that was meant to dehumanize me was further proof that I was most likely autistic.
I did not realize he was looking for an out in the relationship, because when I don’t want to be in a relationship anymore, I simply tell the person I don’t want to be with them anymore.….
Functioning burnout: can’t stop, won’t stop
By Katie Munday (they / them)
So many of us Autistic folk struggle with burnout – the extreme fatigue which comes from sensorial, emotional and mental overwhelm.
This can cause us to shutdown – some of us can be in bed for days or weeks on end, incapable of functioning at our usual level of activity, finding everything mentally taxing.
BELIEVING IN NONSPEAKERS AND THE RIGHT TO COMMUNICATE: AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. VIKRAM JASWAL
By Shannon Des Roches Rosa at TPGA
Vikram Jaswal is Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia. His research focuses on communication and social interaction in autism, inspired and informed by the lived experiences of autistic children and adults and their families. We spoke with Dr. Jaswal about his research validating and supporting non-speakers with speech disabilities in their communication efforts, including facilitated communication. His lab website is www.jaswallab.org.
Free PDF download: Thin Slice Judgements and The Different World Autistics Inhabit
By Terra Vance at Neuroclastic
Thin slice judgements are those first-impressions that people make that continue to define and influence how a person feels about someone. Reaearch has shown that these judgements are disproportionately negative for autistic people and that non-autistic people have an instant dislike of them.
Autistic people have a hard time explaining to the general public exactly what it’s like to be us. What people don’t realize is that we don’t just have things that we can’t do, or that are hard for us, but that our struggles are more like death by one thousand paper cuts.….
LONG-READ – Autistic While Black in the UK: Masking, Codeswitching, and Other (Non)fictions
By Tré Ventour-Griffiths at Neuroclastic
When I was interviewed by The Guardian in June, 2020, to talk about my experience of Black Lives Matter in the UK, despite seeing lots of euphoria (particularly from white people), I saw little movement to discuss intersectional Blacknesses particularly in regards to being disabled while Black.
In this regard, while I support the Black Lives Matter chants, I still struggle to feel included. When we consider the number of Black victims of police that have been disabled, it makes me wonder how disability continues to be at the fringes of ‘polite discussion’ about anti-racism — a conversation that has largely been held on state terms (at least in a UK context).
WHAT DOES INCLUSIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE LOOK LIKE?
By Luce Greenwood at TPGA
Employee Hiring
Although many companies state that they welcome all applicants, job adverts must reflect that the workplace can accommodate autistic and neurodivergent (ND) employees. As well as a statement to say that you welcome ND applicants, here are some ways that you can make it easier for ND’s during the hiring process …
International Badass Activists 