Society is built upon a surprising number of rules that, when fully considered, seem rather arbitrary. In actual fact, societies rules are not arbitrary at all. They are deliberately designed to keep minority groups quiet while amplifying the voice of the oppressors. I think most Autistic people have come across this particular micro-aggression. Sat inContinue reading ““Why are you so quiet?” Autistic voices and the fight to be heard”
Category Archives: Autistic Pride
Neuroqueer: An introduction to theory
This article was Co-Authored by David Gray-Hammond, Katie Munday, and Tanya Adkin The emergence and popularisation of Neuroqueer theory in the contemporary disability rights discourse and Autistic rights movement represents a significant step forward. Not only does it encourage pride in ones true self, but it emancipates the Neurologically Queer from the normative attitudes thatContinue reading “Neuroqueer: An introduction to theory”
I’m not Asocial, I’m AuSocial: Conceptualising Autistic sociality and culture
Being Autistic is a nightmare (sometimes, actually, a lot of the time). This isn’t because being Autistic is inherently good or bad, but rather because we are a minority group, and as such experience direct and indirect oppression from the privileged majority. Given that the world is designed by and for that majority, and doesn’tContinue reading “I’m not Asocial, I’m AuSocial: Conceptualising Autistic sociality and culture”
Neuroqueer theory and the Self
When considering our potential, we often think in finite terms. Normativity has dictated that which a human can be. We are also bound, in principle, by the finite nature of our mortality. Thus, we are limited by both cultural and biological variables. However, the limits of what a human, a person, can be are notContinue reading “Neuroqueer theory and the Self”
Shifting the paradigm on world autism day
April 2nd. It’s a day that so many of us dread. For as long as “world autism day” has existed, it is a day where (much like every other day) adherents of the pathology paradigm do their best to drown out the voices of those that proudly display their Autistic selves. Why are we soContinue reading “Shifting the paradigm on world autism day”
Big news with even more big news on the way!
I have been nominated for a National Diversity Award, positive role model- disability category. I am honoured to have recieved this nomination, and while I don’t expect to win, I do enjoy reading the kind things that people day about me in their votes. If you wish to vote for me, you can do soContinue reading “Big news with even more big news on the way!”
Not your tragedy, not your epidemic, not your inspiration: reflecting on Autistic existence
Being Autistic is not inherently good or bad, it just is. That’s not to say that I am not proud of who I am, and I am most certainly not denying the obstacles I have had to over come. While being Autistic is an inseparable part of my identity and existence, it is also anContinue reading “Not your tragedy, not your epidemic, not your inspiration: reflecting on Autistic existence”
I am an Autistic person, not a scientific phenomenon
Recently I have been reading Authoring Autism by Remi Yergeau. It has really been opening my eyes to the use of rhetoric in the construction of narratives surrounding Autistic people, and has very much inspired me to write this. I am an Autistic person. And yet the world treats me as a phenomenon, a peculiarityContinue reading “I am an Autistic person, not a scientific phenomenon”
Autistic community, identity, and the sense of self
During my years of active addiction, I had no concept of who I was beyond being a drug and alcohol user. For this reason, I felt trapped into my substance use, unable to escape the horror that I was habitually inflicting upon myself. I finally found sobriety, but was clinging on desperately. That’s when itContinue reading “Autistic community, identity, and the sense of self”
Radical Advocacy: Being an advocate in a hate filled world
Recently I have found myself considering the direction that my advocacy is taking. I have found myself reading extensively on “autism theory” and, on the other hand, writings by actually Autistic authors. At first I felt broken by what I had realised. Our world is built on a paradigm that by design oppresses anyone outsideContinue reading “Radical Advocacy: Being an advocate in a hate filled world”
Emergent Divergence 