When you want to learn about something, who do you ask? ...The experts!
Too often, autism is defined in a clinical, pathologizing/disease-oriented way, which by its very natures is deficit oriented and leaves one with a feeling of overwhelm and helplessness.
The definitions provided here are from the autistic perspective - adults and children who share what autism is to them, how it is part of them and their experience of the world.
The definitions provided here are from the autistic perspective - adults and children who share what autism is to them, how it is part of them and their experience of the world.
In Their Own Words
What Is Autism? By Nick Walker @ Neurocosmopolitanism
How many websites are there that have a page called something like “What Is Autism?” or “About Autism”? How often do organizations, professionals, scholars, and others need to include a few paragraphs of basic introductory “What Is Autism?” text in a website, brochure, presentation, or academic paper?
I’ve seen so many versions of that obligatory “What Is Autism” or “About Autism” text. And they’re almost all terrible. For starters, almost all of them – even the versions written by people who claim to be in favor of “autism acceptance” or to support the neurodiversity paradigm – use the language of the pathology paradigm, which intrinsically contributes to the oppression of Autistics. READ MORE
How many websites are there that have a page called something like “What Is Autism?” or “About Autism”? How often do organizations, professionals, scholars, and others need to include a few paragraphs of basic introductory “What Is Autism?” text in a website, brochure, presentation, or academic paper?
I’ve seen so many versions of that obligatory “What Is Autism” or “About Autism” text. And they’re almost all terrible. For starters, almost all of them – even the versions written by people who claim to be in favor of “autism acceptance” or to support the neurodiversity paradigm – use the language of the pathology paradigm, which intrinsically contributes to the oppression of Autistics. READ MORE
Welcome To The Autistic Community!
From the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
"This handbook welcomes newly-diagnosed autistic people, or autistic people who have just learned of their diagnosis, to the Autistic community. It addresses the most common questions that people may have about their diagnosis, emphasizes that they are not alone, and celebrates their new identity. This booklet is available in two versions for two different age groups, Adolescent and Adult."
From the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
"This handbook welcomes newly-diagnosed autistic people, or autistic people who have just learned of their diagnosis, to the Autistic community. It addresses the most common questions that people may have about their diagnosis, emphasizes that they are not alone, and celebrates their new identity. This booklet is available in two versions for two different age groups, Adolescent and Adult."
This is Autism Flashblog
"What autism is in the words and works of autistic people and those who love and support them." READ MORE
"What autism is in the words and works of autistic people and those who love and support them." READ MORE
A Hairdryer Kid in a Toaster Brained World by Mom NOS
Okay, so: the presentation.
First, I should tell you that we orchestrated it with the stealth of CIA operatives. We didn't want Bud to see me in the building, because we knew that my presence would be difficult for him. (Mom does not belong in school. Mom should only be here when she has come to take me home.) We all synchronized our watches, and as lunchtime approached, Mrs. Nee walked Bud to the lunchroom, where he was meeting another staff member, and Ms. Walker readied the classroom, while a student, Noelle, helped me slip in the side door and up the back staircase.
While we waited for a few students to return to the class with their hot lunches, Ms. Walker let me know that they'd told the children a little bit about my blog, read them a few excerpts, and let them know that people all over the world read about their classroom. The kids were delighted to know that they had fans, and even more delighted by the idea that they'd been given pseudonyms when I wrote about them. It seems they'd had some fun trying to figure out who was who. READ MORE
Okay, so: the presentation.
First, I should tell you that we orchestrated it with the stealth of CIA operatives. We didn't want Bud to see me in the building, because we knew that my presence would be difficult for him. (Mom does not belong in school. Mom should only be here when she has come to take me home.) We all synchronized our watches, and as lunchtime approached, Mrs. Nee walked Bud to the lunchroom, where he was meeting another staff member, and Ms. Walker readied the classroom, while a student, Noelle, helped me slip in the side door and up the back staircase.
While we waited for a few students to return to the class with their hot lunches, Ms. Walker let me know that they'd told the children a little bit about my blog, read them a few excerpts, and let them know that people all over the world read about their classroom. The kids were delighted to know that they had fans, and even more delighted by the idea that they'd been given pseudonyms when I wrote about them. It seems they'd had some fun trying to figure out who was who. READ MORE
