George Takei  🏳️‍🌈🖖🏽

People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are all around us—they’re integrated in schools and the workforce. But for many of us, all we know about ASD are the news stories speculating about a diagnosis for a violent mass shooter or a savant with remarkable skills.

We rarely hear directly from people with autism. In today's The Big Picture, we change that. Read more at #TheBigPicture: https://thinkbigpicture.substack.com/p/autism-spectrum-disorder-adult-life

A First Person Account Of Life As An Autistic Adult

Awareness of autism spectrum disorders has increased diagnoses in children, but not public understanding of what ASD is like for autistic adults.

The Big Picture
Apr 27, 2023 at 3:45pmWeb
Show threadKentuckyConjurerApr 27, 2023

@georgetakei

Thank you, George & Amelia!

Show threadGeorge Takei  🏳️‍🌈🖖🏽Apr 27, 2023
@KentuckyConjurer ♥️
Show threadHigh Yasaiō Natsura Apr 27, 2023

@georgetakei thank you George~!

As someone with Asperger's (and gender dysphoria) I am glad to hear you talk about Autism.

Hopefully in June you talk about LGBTQIA stuff (especially trans stuff given the climate)

I will give this a listen sometime soon~!

Show threadRob ShimerApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei thank you.
Show threadAnthonyApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei Thank you, from one autistic who didn't think he could appreciate you even more
Show threadGeorge Takei  🏳️‍🌈🖖🏽Apr 27, 2023
@Anthonightshift Thank you, Anthony, for the kind words. ♥️
Show threadmykolaApr 27, 2023

@georgetakei hey thanks George!

To anyone reading, I'm Autistic and have created a ton of resources including this media guide I wrote for CNN's Sanjay Gupta. It's now taught in schools, referenced in newsrooms and circulating around schools and hospitals, and I'd love it if you took a moment to read it.

I do my best to present a complex, multi-faceted explanation of why Autism is so hard to talk about, what we do know and what we have learned is not true, and above all how to make sure you're listening to us when you make decisions that impact us.

https://coda.io/@mykola-bilokonsky/public-neurodiversity-support-center/how-to-talk-about-autism-respectfully-84

Public Neurodiversity Support Center

Coda
Show threadSteve PopovichApr 27, 2023
@mykola @georgetakei thanks to you both for posting these articles! The site you've linked to here is a treasure trove of articles and resources, which I will need to check out in more depth. I'm over 60 years old, and never formally diagnosed as being on the spectrum, but I do feel a lot of commonality with some of the stories told by you, Mykola, and others I've read on the subject, so it's possible I might be somewhere along it; I've certainly had lifelong challenges with relating to and communicating with others, although with a lot of effort I've managed to "emulate in software" in most cases, what almost everyone around me seems to have dedicated brain hardware built-in to do, and have a "normal" education, marriage, career, etc. Thanks again!
Show threadmykolaApr 27, 2023
@sspopovich @georgetakei I offer (paid or free, need based honor system) coaching for adults who are learning that they are Autistic. It's a very difficult space to navigate without an Autistic guide. Reach out, there's a contact link on that site! :)
Show threadMatthewApr 27, 2023

@mykola

A favorite podcast host found out she was ASD and did a series. We found out about the same time.

The Loudest Girl in the World
https://www.pushkin.fm

RSS address: https://www.omnycontent.com/d/playlist/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/549b1703-af68-484d-a638-aea9012029ed/00b8bfdb-a8dd-424c-90f2-aea9012047e8/podcast.rss

Pushkin Industries: Podcast & Audiobook Production Company

We put artists and creators first. We produce work that we care about and believe in. And we have fun.

Pushkin Industries
Show threadLéon PlankenApr 28, 2023
@mrblissett
Thanks, intro episode downloaded!
@mykola
Show threadMatthewApr 27, 2023
@mykola @georgetakei
"we have to get it right on the first try or we’re seen as the problem"
From week one of kindergarten in a public school, my son was facing opposition from the administration. The small-town school suggested other schools and threatened to involve police.
My wife and I researched help that didn't exist 10 years ago, and now he has a multidisciplined team on his side, keeping him in public school. It has been an eye-opening fight.
Show threadmykolaApr 27, 2023
@mrblissett @georgetakei I'm so glad your son has you to fight that fight, and that you've found the ammunition you need to defend him and his needs. His future is infinitely brighter for your efforts, please be proud.
Show threadMatthewMay 3, 2023

@mykola @georgetakei

Thank you for your kind words. It's hard to navigate the world, and then you find out there's a reason why it seems especially hard. At least there's help and research so I can best it.

Show threadMatthewMay 20, 2023

@mykola

I am listening to your episode on A Team today. Thank you for validating my actions with my kid. Thank you for validating me as a person. I can now identify what has made ME feel out-of-place, and can better help my children.

Show threadmykolaMay 21, 2023
@mrblissett 🙏🙏
Show threadkiwi_raaMay 1, 2023
@mykola This is amazing. Thanks for sharing
Show threadWendy LadyApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei thank you for this. My loving and cherished son is autistic and very likely I was undiagnosed as well.
Show threadHannaApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei Thank you George!
Show threadAtomicAmelynApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei I'm glad to see that you're not pushing content from groups like Autism $peaks and other group featuring puzzle piece logos. Especially since those group tend to overlook autistic adults, women/non-binary/etc, and BIPOC, just to name a few. The autistic community needs more allies like you, Mr Takei. Thank you. 🫶🏻
Show threadbrin3mApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei thank you George. My family appreciates this!
Show threadTattie (old account)Apr 27, 2023
@georgetakei the "skyrocketing autism rates" are of course from better diagnosis. I somehow never was diagnosed as a child despite incredibly obvious signs, not least being nonverbal the first six months of school. But I didn't struggle with classwork, so nobody ever suggested autism. I was just a "slightly difficult but gifted child".
Show threadTattie (old account)Apr 27, 2023

@georgetakei Thank you for boosting autistic people's own accounts of ourselves, rather than being one of the too many celebs who want to speak for us and over us. (Often via the hate group posing as a charity known as "Autism Speaks". 🤢)

We are not a puzzle to figure out, a problem to "solve". We are just us. 

Show threadThe Hobnobbin' GobblinApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei as a person on the spectrum, it is always comforting to hear about the similar experiences and struggles others face. Every time I hear someone argue against a "cure" I feel a little warm and fuzzy inside. We don't need a cure to thrive, just an environment of acceptance and inclusion.
Show threadJaime RobertsonApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei Those common depictions are part of the reason I was in denial of my own autism for a couple decades.
Show threadgavinisdie Apr 27, 2023
@georgetakei I'm actually a person with this, I'm pretty normal
Show threadAisling WalshApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei This Is great George, wonderful to see you using your platform to support Autistic people. I know language is a minefield with little consensus and constantly changing but I would just say the Neurodiversity movement does favour identity first 'Autistic person' over person with Autism language and dropping the use of disorder - as in ASD. For future reference!
Show threadLoukas (They/Them) 🏳️‍⚧️Apr 28, 2023
@aisling_walsh @georgetakei thank you for raising this. I couldn't think of a good way to phrase it when I saw the post yesterday.
Show threadAisling WalshApr 28, 2023
@Loukas @georgetakei thank you! I was surprised nobody got there first!
Show threadnotchristApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei OH HEY ITS MY DISABILITY AUTISM
Show threadAfterpantsApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei
#AutismAwareness Hi George! Are you on spectrum?
Show threaddrakbaileyApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei This is awesome. My mom (RIP) was a special ed teacher and one of the first teachers in Central California to have a class of severely autistic kids - way back in 1980. She'd be so happy you're doing this. Thank you!
Show threadRicochetRabbittApr 27, 2023
@georgetakei
This is such an important issue - and crucial point. Thank you for raising it.
Show threadAnna NicholsonApr 28, 2023

@georgetakei @TheAutisticTooter Thank you for your efforts to raise awareness  (though we really need so much more than awareness now)

BTW, most of us (according to research and countless polls) prefer to be called Autistic people, or Autistics, or Autists

We’re not people ‘with autism’, still less people ‘with ASD’

(Individual preferences may differ of course, and should be respected)

#ActuallyAutistic #AutismAwareness #AutisticAcceptance

Show threadI’m Tired And Everything HurtsApr 28, 2023

@transponderings @georgetakei @TheAutisticTooter This is true! I don't feel that autism is something I have, rather it's something I am.

I also struggle with anxiety, but that's not something I am.

So, I would say I'm an autistic person who has anxiety. Hopefully that makes what I'm trying to get across clear!

Show threadKenecikApr 28, 2023
@georgetakei About time you guys should.
Show threadCathySerranoApr 30, 2023
@georgetakei so awesome! In 2003 a group of local musicians here in our community took up the cause of Autism! While this CD has long since sold out - there is still huge community support for these programs! Always great to see this subject matter being presented!! Thank you Mr. Takei !
Show threadShadowDrakkenMay 1, 2023
@georgetakei A lot of us have learned how to mask so instinctively that we're always stressed, depressed, and self-isolating just to survive society. We want our issues to be seen, but we're afraid of being personally seen. :(
Show threadMikeJun 13, 2023
@georgetakei We sure are, Uncle George!