Read on Twitter
So. A parent tried to join in an autistic community here by putting #ActuallyAutistic in their own tweets of their own words.
That's a hashtag for autistic people, so we can find one another, communicate in our own language/culture without too much misinterpretation, etc/
That's a hashtag for autistic people, so we can find one another, communicate in our own language/culture without too much misinterpretation, etc/
And various autistic people politely asked that they did not use that hashtag of #ActuallyAutistic, as it means the person is autistic.
Then the parent said they wanted to use it to say the words of their young person.
Various people said politely that/
Then the parent said they wanted to use it to say the words of their young person.
Various people said politely that/
...yes, the autistic young adult is more than welcome to use that hashtag, and the parent could find ways to convey their thoughts & ideas, making it clear it's their words and not those of the parent.
Then someone said 'but Twitter is too complicated for them to use!'/
Then someone said 'but Twitter is too complicated for them to use!'/
...and people explained politely that the parent could perhaps enable communication via picture or whatever other system they use, and then the parent can 'translate' that into words to put on twitter for them, acting as interpreter/liaison person/
But instead, the parent wrote a hate blog about autistic people. In it our thoughts were described variously as
childish
nonsensical
dangerous
harmful
libelous
meaningless
& gaslighting
Self diagnosis was said to be nonsense, too/
childish
nonsensical
dangerous
harmful
libelous
meaningless
& gaslighting
Self diagnosis was said to be nonsense, too/
Now, can we understand why autistic communities, (filled with people who have e.g. major trauma, depression and anxiety situations because of past treatment & namecalling), are wary about nonautistic people using that hashtag themselves, when they're not autistic?/
This cartoon sums it all up, I feel.
No matter which small space autistic people try to create, someone claims it's their space ,we're excluding them, and we should let them in.
So many autistic people live lives with zero privacy in care. Watched day and night.
The tiniest hint of 'our own space' is vital.
So many autistic people live lives with zero privacy in care. Watched day and night.
The tiniest hint of 'our own space' is vital.
Repeating that I'm a parent of a fine autistic adult. That I spent many years as carer for a person in our family with high support needs who was in high secure accommodation. That I work for and with fabulous families 1-2 days a week with teams.
None of this is anti-parent.
None of this is anti-parent.
But goodness me, there's times when I need to be in my own autistic peer groups online and 'speak autistic'.
And I'm grateful for the #ActuallyAutistic and #AllAutistics hashtags, for giving autistic people the chance to do just that.
And I'm grateful for the #ActuallyAutistic and #AllAutistics hashtags, for giving autistic people the chance to do just that.
