#Support Autism

[amyyythestarry]

Bro my ELA teacher is ableist, and I have his class first thing. 💀

Today he got on these neurodivergent kids bc they forgot to bring their computers. He don’t know what they got going on, don’t shame them for accidentally forgetting something especially when it’s not even school yet.

He always got a major attitude.

I’m literally surrounded by ableist. Yesterday my mom said my little brother act like he got an illness, and he has a lot of ADHD symptoms ( To me at least ) and she always refers neurological disabilities as fricking illnesses. Bet she wouldn’t say that about blind people though. On top of that my dad obviously doesn’t know what executive dysfunction is. Like what the f**k.

[dinklebat]

an interaction im very tired of in online autism spaces. aka when you don’t have a special interest / when your special interest isn’t [character] or [fandom]

EDIT: if you’re confused on this post look at this version: https://www.tumblr.com/dinklebat/767829405172219904/some-of-you-did-not-understand-this-post-hope?source=share

also if you want to see column posts just check #column posting on my blog

EDIT 2: I turned reblogs off because you guys are literally acting like blue and I’m done.

[kenapiece-main]

Can you believe I'm having to make this meme even after successfully finishing up taxes and applying to job

[2003-playground]

Can we stop using "still lives with their parents" or "unemployed" or "doesn't have a drivers license" or "didn't graduate high school" as an insult or evidence that someone is a bad person? Struggling with independence or meeting milestones is not a moral failing.

[momifa]

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[zombblehh]

Shout out to the autistic who’s abilities have regressed as they’ve gotten older.

“You didn’t used to be like this when you were a kid.” I know please don’t remind me

[noisycowboyglitter]

Please Bee Kind: Personal Stories from the Autism Community

"Please Bee Kind I Have Autism" is a compassionate phrase that serves as both a gentle reminder and an awareness-raising statement. This message, often seen on t-shirts, badges, or other personal items, aims to promote understanding and patience towards individuals on the autism spectrum.

Buy now:19.95$ The clever wordplay using "bee" instead of "be" adds a touch of whimsy and memorability to the phrase, often accompanied by a cute bee illustration. This approach makes the message more approachable and less confrontational, encouraging positive interactions. For individuals with autism, this phrase can act as a non-verbal communication tool, helping to explain their unique needs or behaviors in social situations. It can alleviate anxiety by preemptively informing others about their neurodiversity, potentially leading to more accommodating and understanding interactions. For neurotypical individuals, this message serves as a prompt to be more patient, open-minded, and accepting of neurodivergent behaviors. It encourages people to approach interactions with empathy and to be more considerate of diverse communication styles and sensory sensitivities.

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This phrase is part of a broader movement to increase autism awareness and acceptance in society. By wearing or displaying this message, individuals and allies contribute to normalizing conversations about autism and promoting a more inclusive environment for everyone.

April is recognized globally as Autism Awareness Month, dedicated to increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This annual observance aims to highlight the experiences, challenges, and strengths of individuals on the autism spectrum.

Throughout the month, various organizations, schools, and communities host events, workshops, and campaigns to educate the public about autism. These initiatives focus on promoting inclusivity, dispelling myths, and advocating for better support systems.

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The puzzle piece ribbon, often in blue, serves as a widely recognized symbol for autism awareness. Many landmarks worldwide are illuminated in blue during this month to show solidarity.

Autism Awareness Month emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, intervention, and ongoing support for individuals with ASD. It also celebrates neurodiversity and the unique perspectives and abilities that autistic individuals bring to society

Autism gifts are thoughtful items designed to support, comfort, or celebrate individuals on the autism spectrum. These can include sensory toys like fidget spinners or weighted blankets, which help with sensory regulation. Educational resources such as books about autism or social skills games are popular choices. Personalized items like autism awareness jewelry or custom t-shirts can help promote understanding and pride. Noise-cancelling headphones or

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sunglasses for light sensitivity address common sensory challenges. Assistive technology devices and communication aids are also valuable gifts. These presents aim to enhance the quality of life, boost self-esteem, and show support for autistic individuals and their families.

[lightning-system]

As a medium/lower support needs autistic who works with young higher support needs autistic:

We all matter. We all have the same diagnosis. We all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

But we are not the same.

I can mask and might be seen as 'odd' or 'weird' in public. The students I work with are seen as 'dangerous' and 'practically little kids'.

I can go to university and work with accommodations. The students I work with likely will never live independently and a few might find jobs that support them but still pay them less than an abled worker.

I have full control of my finances. The students I work with aren't allowed to make independent financial decisions, even if capable.

If I say 'no,' I'm making a choice. The students I work with can't say 'no' without being labeled as defiant and difficult.

I can feed myself, bathe myself, and take care of myself with extreme challenges. The students I work with are unable to take care of themselves without high levels of support/one on one support.

I had an IEP in high school but was mainstreamed in classes. The students I work with take separate classes and some rarely get to interact with their abled peers.

Our experiences are fundamentally different. Higher support needs autistics will experience a specific type of ableism I never will, and can never fully understand.

Lower support needs autistics need to stop saying we understand what higher support needs autistics are going through and then present autism as only being disabling because of society/lack of acceptance because that is dangerous. We need to stop saying every autistic person is capable of everything if given the right support because that leaves out huge parts of our community who will never be able to do certain things, regardless of support.

We are worthy of existence regardless of our abilities.

Autism is a spectrum. It is not the same for every autistic person. Autism acceptance and advocacy has to come with accepting, acknowledging, and listening to our higher support needs peers.

[zebulontheplanet]

This is your reminder because some of y’all are fucking weird.

An adult who has high support needs is NOT the same as a toddler. A high support needs adult is NOT “functionally a child”

THEY. ARE. AN. ADULT.

High support needs people that are adults are fucking adults. Stop speaking of them like they aren’t. “Oh but they can’t do this independently and they act very childish” THEY ARE HIGH SUPPORT NEEDS. STOP IT.

[five-thousand-loaves-of-bread]

keep get lot of “even though am only low support needs / only level 1 / verbal / etc… struggle a lot with autism…” n with either implied or explicitly said “not as bad as higher support needs / higher level / etc” “can’t imagine what it like for [ ]”

n as higher support need level 2/3 nonverbal autistic, want say:

yes of course be aware we exist n sometimes face extra stuff extra struggle extra ableism advocate with us be aware of experiences you may not have but

you all have just as much claim to autism & autism as disability as us

don’t need tiptoe around us

low support needs is support needs & level 1 autism is autism is disability. n struggle around that is true struggle valid struggle

don’t need be higher support needs level 2&3 semiverbal nonverbal severe autism etc to be struggle

compulsive anxiety of Must Make Sure Am Not Speak Over so say “even though only 1/LSN”, overly done, actually can feed into idea that only HrSN 2/3 struggle true struggle valid struggle n LSN level 1 not struggle enough not valid enough n so if struggle, must be HrSN 2/3. it actually water down downplay all amounts of support low/medium/high/everything in between, downplay all levels of autism 1 2 & 3

last thing want see is you all downplay self for so long n burn out n backfire, “what about me? why only about HSN level 3 nonverbal people?” n swing other way - this harm all autistics, you n us

confidently say “am low support needs autism n i struggle” “am level 1 autistic n i struggle” actually best way help all autistics, both you n me

[auschizm]

Here's a post for the autistic people who can't relate to the "autism is a difference, not a disability" movement at all. The nonverbal autistic people. The autistic people who need help with basic self care like eating, going to the bathroom, getting dressed and showering. The autistic people who need full-time supervision to stay safe. To the autistic people who can't go places alone or can't go places at all. To the autistic people who can't help having violent meltdowns. To the autistic people who don't understand social interaction at all. To the autistic people who'll never be able to study, work or live alone. To the autistic people who have to follow a very strict routine to function. You're all an important and valuable part of the autistic community. You don't deserve to be ignored, excluded or sacrificed in the name of a more palatable image of what it means to be autistic

[panuccispizza]

this is an accessibility aid post for neurodivergent people, because I feel bad keeping this information to myself.

https://us.loopearplugs.com/

^ these are loop earplugs and they help you manage sound, these work great for migraines and people with sound sensitivity bc of autism/trauma/anxiety, etc. they come with multiple sized ear tips and the sound muffler silicone ring. I bought the loop engage plus, I'm a very burnt out + overwhelmed person. these make my annoying clock go away without me having to take out the batteries.

https://www.flareaudio.com/en-us/collections/calmer

^ flare earplugs, but I consider them more ear funnels? they allow more airflow into your ears for clearer sound. these work great for tinnitus, anxiety and autistic people. I haven't tried these yet and they have a lot less reviews on tiktok compared to loop.

if you need to search out cheaper brands I've only seen alternatives similar to loop on Amazon, look into decibels and your daily life needs, especially if you work. I feel my engage pro is great for daily home life with older children, pets, natural noises in your day, school, or work. but in a louder work setting like a factory, construction, daycare, or a theme park, I'm afraid these wouldn't work as good as experience might. I recommend checking out tiktok + reddit reviews if you're unsure.

[ps1demodisk]

Sorry I'm not low empathy autistic in the "mysterious loner boy who secretly cares about his friends and talks in a monotone voice" way and I'm actually just completely indifferent to the suffering of people I don't know personally and help strangers out of a sense of "this is the right thing to do" and not "I feel so bad for this person" or guilt.

I sit and listen to my friends even though I don't really care about hearing about their problems because I know they'll be upset if I don't, and despite the fact I honestly can't genuinely care about the issue itself, I care about the impact it's having on my friends and that's enough to make me want to help them through it.

Did you know that's actually an expression of empathy all of its own?

It will absolutely happen again I literally am not even sorry

[momifa]

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[spectralsnoot]

Y’all self diagnosing as low support autistic, you are valid. But let’s not pretend like high support need individuals don’t exist. Autism isn’t trendy, it isn’t “quirky”, it’s not a brag to be put on your profile to say “I think I might be autistic” for clout on the internet. Autism comes in many forms, and high support individuals probably don’t see their autism as a brag. Being nonspeaking, having a lack of control over your own motor function, needing assistance in most every aspect of your life, being stripped of your independence because otherwise you may be unsafe to yourself or others, being looked down upon by a society who views you as “retarded”….low support autism is valid and deserving of the same supports as high support autism, but to those of you that romanticize autism, whether you are autistic or not, please stop. Autistic individuals are beautiful, amazing, and so worthy of love no matter where they fall on the spectrum. But autistic individuals will always face challenges because of their neurodivergence by a society that as a majority is uneducated and lacking empathy. If you suspect you may be autistic, please pursue your truth. Maybe you became good at masking without knowing you were doing it, maybe you are “quirky”, etc. Be true to yourself.

However…

Romanticizing autism ignores the reality of the many many high support individuals who do not have that luxury. Love yourself but do not trivialize or erase the reality of our high support brothers and sisters.

[noisycowboyglitter]

Breaking Barriers: Non-Verbal Doesn’t Mean That I Have Nothing To Say

The world often communicates through a constant stream of words, but what if your voice isn't the main channel? For many individuals with autism, Down syndrome, or other conditions, nonverbal communication takes center stage. This doesn't mean they have "nothing to say" – it simply means their message is expressed differently.

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Nonverbal communication encompasses a rich tapestry of expressions, gestures, and actions. A furrowed brow might convey frustration, a pointed finger could indicate a desired object, and a joyful smile speaks volumes. Learning to understand these nonverbal cues is key to unlocking the world of someone who may not speak traditionally.

Here's how we can bridge the communication gap:

Pay attention to body language: Facial expressions, posture, and gestures offer valuable insights into emotions and needs.

Embrace alternative communication methods: AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices, picture boards, or even typing can give a voice to those who struggle with spoken language.

Be patient and understanding: Deciphering nonverbal communication takes time and practice. Create a safe space for exploration and experimentation.

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By recognizing that "non-verbal" doesn't mean "silent," we can build stronger connections and celebrate the unique ways people express themselves. Remember, the most important words aren't always spoken – they're felt, seen, and understood.

The Autism Puzzle Heart is a powerful symbol that combines two universal concepts: love (represented by the heart) and autism awareness (represented by the puzzle piece). It embodies the idea that individuals with autism deserve love, understanding, and acceptance.

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The puzzle piece reflects the unique way each person on the autism spectrum experiences the world. The heart signifies the compassion and care needed to embrace these differences.

This symbol is often used by parents, siblings, friends, and autistic individuals themselves to show pride, raise awareness, and spread love for the autism community. It's a reminder that despite the challenges, autism is filled with potential, and autistic individuals have a place of love and belonging in our world.

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