I've been thinking a lot about
#AutisticLiberation, what the demands would be, how people including progressives would react.
My first demand would be *incredibly* controversial: "stop bullying us", which includes "stop bullying people for their autistic style traits."
No, we will not achieve #AutisticLiberation by:
1. Simping for Neoliberalism
2. Embracing hustle & grind culture
3. Begging & pleading for others to recognize us as human beings.
4. Promoting autisupremacy
5. Showing out worth by working ourselves into Burnout
Sorry.
On one hand, it's hard to think I missed nearly thirty years of living my authentic self. On the other, I am really realizing what it means once the mask came off and diving back into what I love and what I was meant to do in this life.
I am a spiritual being. I am an author. I am me. I am powerful. And no one can tell me who I shouldn't be any longer.
#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #AutisticLiberation #MadLiberation #DisabilityLiberation #Disability
When I visit the databases at my college library looking for research on yoga and autism, what I find is study upon study about how yoga can help kids focus, do more in school, and yes, be cured of their autism. There's nothing about adults, many of whom are struggling with a late diagnosis and
Accessible yoga has become a buzzword lately. People talk about making their yoga accessible, trauma-informed, inclusive, and I am glad to hear these concepts being discussed. However, when the discussion is still being had in groups that center the able-bodied individual of at least average fitness, with no talk about mental health (other than the
I love the radical roots of the Autism Rights movement. For me it’s ultimately a movement based in liberation that shares all the elements of all other liberation movements.
To understand it in its Marxist context is essential. Marta Russell’s work is a great place to start.
It scares me to see the heavy hand of mainstream Neoliberalism and it’s various vessels in the movement.
We’ve seen what centrists and moderates have done in every other liberation movement of the 20th and 21st centuries. It isn’t pretty.
Liberals (as opposed to Leftists) have entered each & every liberation struggle only to sanitize it. To make it appealing to the ruling class.
Russell shows us how this was done in the Disability Rights movement in general. Same to be said re: Gay Rights, Feminist movements.
In order to achieve #AutisticLiberation we need to be radical in our approach and our actions. Understanding the Capitalist system and how being a disabled person under it is essential for taking control of our lives and changing our outcomes and those of future generations.
All #ActuallyAutistic comrades have a place in the movement. Every autistic person has a voice and the ability to change our world in every interaction they have in their everyday lives wherever they are. Everyone has influence in their own communities in their own way.
The movement is not restricted to those who talk down to others because of their followed counts, positions of socio-economic or educational privilege, or being an perennial invited speaker at the cocktail parties of the very class that oppressed us.
We’ve seen that before. We will not be sold out.
Organize where you are.
Speak to people where you can and advocate for yourself.
Self advocacy IS advocacy for all autistic humans.
What does #AutisticLiberation mean to you?
There isn’t an #autism epidemic, you clowns. We are better at diagnosis today. We are better at recognizing ourselves. We are becoming more aware. It’s something to celebrate, not bemoan. You won’t keep us down.
Alistair Davidson
Matthew | The Autistic Coach
Kit Muse