As it's autism acceptance/awareness month, it's worth noting that some names/symbols are problematic. For example, many autistic people don't like the puzzle piece symbol because it's telling us we're a puzzle or missing something, which doesn't feel right. #AutismAcceptance /1

"Autism awareness" is also problematic because we don't feel that we're a problem that people need to be aware of, but a minority group that people need to accept. #AutismAcceptance /2

Saying "we're all on the spectrum" is not helpful as it belittles the disability and implies the person should just buck up and cope. You wouldn't say "we're all on the spectrum of ability to walk" to someone in a wheelchair. #AutismAcceptance /3

"High functioning" and "low functioning" are not helpful labels. To be called "high functioning" implies you should be able to cope, and to be called "low functioning" is insulting. Someone who's good at one thing may really struggle with another. #AutismAcceptance /4

Above all, please listen to autistic people. Not the parents and carers who think having a child with autism is a tragedy. Nor the supporters who want to speak for or over us. We can speak for ourselves. #AutismAcceptance /5

You'll see the symbol for this Twitter account and for the #AutismAcceptance hashtag is a rainbow infinity symbol (sideways 8). It represents the diversity of autism and is a much better symbol than the blue puzzle piece. /6