I'm autistic. In my 70s. I used to DREAD April. Lot of celebration around Autism...

But no pictures of people like me.

I'm a blogger, podcaster and... aspiring... artist. Like many autists I didn't succeed in the consumer-oriented world. So let's say, my very real contributions to society weren't... celebrated.

That all changed last year. 2023. I was honored to take part in UN World Autism Awareness Day. I sat on a panel with other artists. Different countries, backgrounds, schooling, races, creeds.

All autistic. All fascinating.

We got to talk openly about our art... and our lives.

I felt seen. Accepted. Respected. Exhilirating! And a bit terrifying...

And apparently I *was* seen. Sure, I now get the occasional commission for my autistic-themed art.

But what really gets me? All the conversations I've had since then about autism with professionals, families, educators... who saw me as a human. Not a poster child.

Wouldn't have happened without someone as important as the United Nations making that shift.

If you wanna know more about *real* autistic individuals, I say make sure you catch this important event.

And if YOU are autistic, I say tune in anyway. It's our time to take the spotlight now. And it can be a blast. You deserve it.

#ActuallyAutistic #ActuallyHuman
@actuallyautistic
@actuallyadhd
@actuallyaudhd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j4jHPrOO3w