Âuthentic Advocacy: Educate Include Empower

April’s here, which means it’s Autism Acceptance Month again.

Although this is a month of autistic pride and acceptance, for many autistics, it’s a month of balancing advocacy while simultaneously bracing ourselves for the flood of misinformation, and the emotional toll of constantly justifying our existence and needs to others.

The perpetual stream of well-intentioned but dismissive comments like 'You don’t look autistic,' 'You’re so high-functioning,' or 'Everyone’s a little autistic' can be draining. These statements may seem harmless, but they invalidate and minimize our internal experiences – our needs trivialized, disregarded, or made to feel burdensome.

Ultimately, this creates a space where advocating for our needs becomes a challenge, often requiring us to explain, justify, or defend who we are.

The emotional toll of hearing these things again and again can leave us feeling exhausted, and sometimes, we just need space to process.

So, if you see an autistic person curled up in the corner, maybe offer them a cookie. But seriously, it’s going to be a long month, so make sure to check in with your autistic friends.

Have you ever been scrolling on social media and wondered what “AuDHD” meant? It’s frequently used as a visual shorthand by an individual who is both autistic and ADHD. This is used as a way for an individual to show others that they are both autistic and ADHD. Autism and ADHD are both neurological differences / disabilities and many AuDHD people feel that this is an integral part of their identities, myself included.

Many autistic ADHD individuals choose to highlight both their autistic and ADHD neurology to others, as their experiences will differ from someone who is just autistic or just ADHD.

I know for myself, it often feels like my brain is constantly battling against itself; two sides fighting against one another.

I crave predictability, routine, structure; I like to know what is coming next because this is soothing to my autistic brain. I need sameness and like to put all my attention to one thing.

My ADHD brain craves novelty, change, excitement. I need constant stimulation and new things in order for my brain to stay engaged.

How do you put all your attention and focus to one thing and stick to consistent routines when you’re also fighting for change and novelty and constant stimulation?

This dichotomy exists throughout my life and is one reason I didn’t think I was autistic; I craved the change. I often found and still find that I need to constantly change things within my control and I struggle when things outside my control change unexpectedly. I feel like I am always understimulated and overstimulated simultaneously.

This is an odd feeling; facing conflicting priorities and constantly feeling like you’re battling against your own thoughts, fighting for control within yourself. I want to do *all the things* but also struggle to split my focus between all the things. It’s something that becomes more prevalent and something I have noticed more as I’ve began to unmask.

This is something I want to explore and figure out what this means for me.

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐀𝐂 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡?!

AAC stands for "Augmentative and Alternative Communication," which refers to any form of communication used to supplement or replace speech. This can include picture cards, writing, texting, speech-generating devices, eye-gaze technology, and more!

AAC can benefit a variety of people for different reasons and can be an essential support for those who need additional support with communication.

So, what is AAC Awareness Month? Every October, this month is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting acceptance of AAC use.

As stated by ISAAC, "The goal is to educate people on various AAC methods, such as sign language, gestures, and speech-generating devices, while also addressing misconceptions about AAC" (2020).

Stay tuned for more information about AAC Awareness Month and upcoming discounts on AAC.

𝘊𝑟𝘦𝑎𝘵𝑒𝘥 𝘣𝑦 𝑀𝘢𝑥 𝑎𝘵 𝘈̂𝑢̂𝘵ℎ𝘦𝑛𝘵𝑖𝘤 𝘈𝑑𝘷𝑜𝘤𝑎𝘤𝑦

Autism isn’t a linear spectrum where someone can be “more” or “less” autistic. Instead, it's a complex, multidimensional spectrum, where each autistic person has a unique combination of traits. These traits manifest differently in each individual due to various internal and external factors, making every autistic person's experience distinct.

Some examples of traits include: Information Processing; Monotropic Interest System; Neuro-Motor Differences; Stims/Repetitive Behaviours; Language (Verbal/Non-Verbal); SPINS (Special Interests); Social (communication) / Pragmatics; Sensory Processing.

In neuro-normative (Western) society, some autistic people are considered “less autistic” because they are "high-masking"—meaning they consciously or subconsciously conceal their traits to blend in. This might involve suppressing stims, altering their speech or dress, or adopting socially accepted interests for self-protection and acceptance, etc.

On the other hand, some autistic people are perceived as “more autistic” by the same societal standards. They may appear more visibly autistic and may not mask their traits (though this isn’t necessarily true for every autistic person with high support needs).

It’s crucial to recognize that all autistic people share the same amount of autistic traits, but how these traits present varies. The only commonality among autistic people is having "denser neural connections and more electrical activity in their brains and bodies than what's considered neurotypical" (Trauma Geek, 2024).

Autistic people with internalized traits may need fluctuating support as their disability changes over time, just as those who appear more visibly autistic might. Disability is dynamic, not static.

Saying things like "everyone is a little autistic" dismisses the real systemic barriers, ableism, and challenges autistic people face. If everyone were "a little autistic," society wouldn’t marginalize us for being different. Our brains would be the norm, and we wouldn’t have to fight for basic rights, accommodations, or recognition of our humanity.

𝘊𝑟𝘦𝑎𝘵𝑒𝘥 𝘣𝑦: 𝘔𝑎𝘹

Finding out about monotropism is so important if you want to understand being autistic, PDA, ADHD. Autistic Realms
www.monotropism.org

Ever wondered what "neurodiversity" is? This post explores how embracing diverse brain functions enriches our communities and drives innovation. Learn more about the truths behind common misconceptions and how to support a more inclusive and understanding world. Let’s celebrate every unique mind and redefine what it means to thrive together! 🧠✨

Âûthentic Advocacy is excited to work with neurohappy developmental supports inc. to strengthen their social media presence and advocacy initiatives. Through this collaboration, Âûthentic Advocacy is helping Neurohappy amplify its mission and engage with a broader audience, empowering more neurodivergent children and their families.

neurohappy developmental supports inc. is a neurodiversity-affirming organization led by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). The organization offers a variety of services, including individual therapy, parent coaching, and group sessions, all designed to support the unique needs of neurodivergent children and their families. With a philosophy rooted in a collaborative, strengths-based approach, neurohappy is dedicated to fostering understanding, acceptance, and support for neurodiversity, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Stay tuned for additional content and exciting updates as we continue to expand our efforts together.

Max, Âûthentic Advocacy

Autism is a spectrum, but it’s not the typical linear spectrum from least-most autistic that many people invision. Instead, it’s more like a colour wheel or colour spectrum, each person containing different amounts/intensities/variations of autistic traits. Each person is unique and how these traits presents will be unique.

There’s no such thing as “least-most autistic”. Functioning labels are harmful and have a history rooted in ableism. There used as an inaccurate way to assign how much capitalistic value someone can produce. It doesn’t take into consideration the fact that autism is a dynamic disability, where it changes based on multiple factors in that persons life.

Many autistic people will still struggle with the same traits, but it will be apparent in different ways. Every persons struggles and challenges are valid, even if they are completely different.

No autistic person is the same.

- Max