How to Be an Ally During Autism Acceptance Month

AutismAutistic ways of being are human neurological variants that can not be understood without the social model of disability.If you are wondering whether you are Autistic, spend time amongst Autistic people, online and offline.  If… More acceptanceAcceptance means training mental health service providers to look at autism and other disabilities as a part of a person’s identity, rather than a problemContinue reading “How to Be an Ally During Autism Acceptance Month”

Weird Pride Day Is March 4th

March 4th is Weird Pride Day. A celebration of weirdness and diversity. We reject the stigma associated with being weird, and ask people to stand up and say they’re weird and they’re proud.

CHAMPS and the Compliance Classroom

I wrote this in 2016 after witnessing a CHAMPS classroom. My stomach dropped when I saw CHAMPS at our elementary school. “Eyes front, knees front, closed mouth” leapt off the wall and rose from memory. I was in school in the 1970s and 80s. Some teachers were really into table readiness and proper student posture,Continue reading “CHAMPS and the Compliance Classroom”

Changelog: Updated and New on Stimpunks.org for Calendar Week 1, January 2023

We continuously update our site with the latest research and communityWhat I have always been hoping to accomplish is the creation of community.Community is magic. Community is power. Community is resistance.Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century https://www.amazon.com/Disability-Visibility-First-Person-Stories-Twenty-First-ebook/dp/B082ZQBL98/ https://www.amazon.com/Disability-Visibility-Adapted-Young-Adults-ebook/dp/B08VFT4R9T/… More writing. This week: 2 new blog posts. 6 updated pages. 17 updated glossary entries.Continue reading “Changelog: Updated and New on Stimpunks.org for Calendar Week 1, January 2023”

Neurodiversity in the Classroom

Neurodiversity is an equity imperative and is critical in shifting the culture of teaching and learning.

We offer several series and courses on neurodiversity in the classroom. This is what our community of neurodivergent and disabled people wants to say to educators. This is 100s of hours of free and open professional development, deeply and broadly sourced. Learn how to better treat and teach our loved people.

Autism‐Related Language Preferences of English‐Speaking Individuals Across the Globe

This brand new open access research confirms broad autistic community preference for identity-first languageIdentity-first language places the disability-related word first in a phrase. People who prefer identity-first language for themselves often argue that their disability is an important part of who they are,… More and the words “autismAutistic ways of being are human neurological variants that canContinue reading “Autism‐Related Language Preferences of English‐Speaking Individuals Across the Globe”

Smoking Secrets

by Betsy Selvam Content Note: gender dysphoria Header Art: “Smoking Secrets” by Betsy Selvam is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 I. I muster enough courage to smoke — a sin I’ve smelled only on mouths of men until I left home for college. I almost want someone I know to spot my lips wisping whiteContinue reading “Smoking Secrets”

Key Principles When Supporting Autistic People

The community at Spectrum Gaming released “Key Principles when supporting autistic people” at Barriers to Education. We believe in REAL coproduction, so have worked with our communityWhat I have always been hoping to accomplish is the creation of community.Community is magic. Community is power. Community is resistance.Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century https://www.amazon.com/Disability-Visibility-First-Person-Stories-Twenty-First-ebook/dp/B082ZQBL98/Continue reading “Key Principles When Supporting Autistic People”

“Yes, And…” Infodump

These tweets are good advice, especially before infodumpingHaving a special interest is like having a crush or being newly in love. It is consuming and delightful. We love to share our special interests and a common example… More after someone tickles one of your SpIns. Today’s tip for communicating while neurodiverse: no matter how excitingContinue reading ““Yes, And…” Infodump”

Six Things Educators Must Know About Neurodivergent People

Here are six things we think every educator must know about neurodivergent people. By understanding these, we make “all means all” more meaningful.

Spiky Profiles
Monotropism
Double Empathy Problem
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
Exposure Anxiety
Situational Mutism