The Blog
The Quiet War Against Neurodivergent Parents
Neurodivergent parents, particularly autistic and ADHD parents, face systemic discrimination in custody battles, child welfare cases, and interactions with medical and educational institutions due to ableist assumptions about parenting competence. Their differences in communication, executive functioning, and sensory processing are often misinterpreted as neglect or unfitness, leading to increased scrutiny, loss of parental rights, and constant fear of the system. To stop this injustice, legal, medical, and educational systems must recognize and accommodate neurodivergent parenting styles rather than punishing parents for not conforming to neurotypical expectations.
The Dangerous Ableism in ‘Early Intervention’ and Why It’s Not What Autistic Kids Need
Early intervention for autistic children is often framed as necessary for their success, but in reality, it is rooted in ableist assumptions that prioritize making children appear less autistic rather than supporting their natural development. Many intervention programs focus on compliance-based training, teaching children to suppress their natural behaviors instead of creating environments that accommodate their needs, leading to long-term harm, including masking, anxiety, and loss of self-trust. Instead of forcing autistic children to conform to neurotypical expectations, true support should center on affirming their neurodivergence, providing accommodations, and fostering environments that allow them to thrive as they are.
How Schools Teach Neurodivergent Kids to Hate Themselves (And How We Can Stop It)
The education system teaches neurodivergent children to hate themselves by forcing them to conform to neurotypical expectations, punishing them for their natural behaviors, and prioritizing compliance over real learning. Autistic and ADHD students are frequently misunderstood, disciplined for traits they cannot control, and made to feel like they are broken rather than supported in ways that align with their needs. To stop this cycle of harm, schools must adopt flexible, inclusive approaches that recognize neurodivergent strengths, provide necessary accommodations, and shift from punishment-based models to supportive, trauma-informed education.
Special Interests’—It’s Deep Knowledge and Expertise
The term "special interest" is an infantilizing way of describing the deep knowledge and expertise that autistic people develop in their areas of passion, reinforcing the false idea that their intellectual pursuits are excessive or abnormal. While neurotypical individuals with strong interests are seen as experts, autistic people are often dismissed as quirky or obsessive, leading to societal devaluation of their intelligence and contributions. By recognizing autistic passion as expertise rather than a symptom, we can create a world that values autistic thinkers, innovators, and professionals for the strengths they bring.
Why ‘You Don’t Look Autistic’ Is Not a Compliment
The phrase "You don’t look autistic" is harmful because it reinforces outdated stereotypes, dismisses the experiences of late-diagnosed and self-identified autistic adults, and implies that appearing non-autistic is preferable. Autism does not have a singular "look" or behavior, and many autistic individuals have spent years masking their traits to survive in a world that does not accommodate them. Instead of questioning or debating someone's autism, we should validate their experience, recognize the diversity of autistic presentations, and work toward a society that accepts all autistic people as they are.
How the Medical Model of Disability Harms Neurodivergent People
The medical model of disability harms neurodivergent people by framing autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent traits as deficits that need to be fixed rather than natural variations in human cognition. Shifting to the social model of disability recognizes that the real barriers neurodivergent individuals face come from inaccessible environments, rigid societal expectations, and a lack of accommodations rather than from their neurodivergence itself. By making workplaces, schools, medical care, public spaces, and social attitudes more inclusive, we can create a world where neurodivergent people are supported, valued, and able to thrive as their authentic selves.
Creating a Neurodivergent-Friendly Workspace at Home or in the Office
Creating a neurodivergent-friendly workspace, whether at home or in an office, requires intentional adjustments to accommodate sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, and diverse work styles. Strategies such as customizable lighting, noise control, flexible seating, structured task management, and inclusive communication practices can significantly improve productivity and well-being for autistic and ADHD individuals. By recognizing and valuing neurodivergent needs, workplaces can foster more accessible, supportive environments where all employees can thrive without compromising their comfort or authenticity.
Autism and Alyxithymia: Understanding the Disconnect Between Emotions and Words
Alexithymia, a common experience among autistic individuals, makes it difficult to identify and verbalize emotions, leading to misunderstandings in relationships and challenges with emotional regulation. While autistic people with alexithymia may feel emotions intensely, they often struggle to recognize them in real-time, which can contribute to anxiety, frustration, and difficulties in seeking support. By shifting societal expectations around emotional expression and embracing alternative ways of processing and communicating feelings, we can create more inclusive and understanding environments for neurodivergent individuals.
The Double Empathy Problem: Why Autistic and Neurotypical Communication Breaks Down
The double empathy problem challenges the outdated belief that autistic people struggle with communication due to inherent social deficits, showing instead that misunderstandings arise from mutual differences between autistic and neurotypical communication styles. While neurotypicals rely on indirect language, eye contact, and social conventions, autistic individuals often communicate more directly and process information differently, leading to breakdowns in understanding. Rather than expecting autistic people to conform to neurotypical norms, true inclusion requires recognizing and respecting diverse communication styles, fostering mutual understanding, and valuing autistic ways of engaging with the world.
Why I’ll Never Force Eye Contact Again—And You Shouldn’t Either
Forcing eye contact is an unnecessary and harmful expectation that makes communication more difficult for many autistic people, draining energy and creating discomfort without improving engagement. Neurotypical social norms assume that eye contact is essential for connection, but autistic individuals often communicate more effectively when allowed to look away, focus on a neutral point, or use alternative forms of engagement. Letting go of the demand for eye contact fosters more inclusive and meaningful conversations, allowing people to connect in ways that align with their natural communication styles.
Let's Talk About Autistic Sex, Baby
Autistic people experience sex differently due to sensory sensitivities, communication styles, and the need for structure, but these differences can enhance intimacy when understood and embraced. By prioritizing clear communication, sensory-friendly environments, and alternative expressions of intimacy, autistic individuals and their partners can create fulfilling and pleasurable sexual experiences. Rather than forcing neurotypical expectations onto autistic sex, recognizing its unique strengths—such as deep focus, enthusiasm, and thoughtful communication—can lead to deeply satisfying and affirming connections.
Why Autistic Adults Struggle to Feel “Grown-Up
Many autistic adults struggle to feel "grown-up" because societal definitions of adulthood rely on rigid milestones like career advancement, social networking, financial independence, and traditional relationships, which often do not align with neurodivergent experiences. Challenges with executive functioning, workplace discrimination, masking, and the need for ongoing support contribute to feelings of being out of sync with neurotypical peers. Instead of measuring adulthood by neurotypical standards, society must recognize and validate alternative paths, allowing autistic individuals to define success and fulfillment on their own terms.
Why We Need to Talk About Workplace Bullying Against Neurodivergent Adults
Neurodivergent adults face widespread workplace bullying due to rigid professional norms, lack of accommodations, and systemic biases that label them as difficult or incompetent rather than recognizing their differences. This mistreatment often takes subtle but damaging forms, including exclusion, micromanagement, and manufactured incompetence, leading to burnout, job loss, and long-term psychological harm. Addressing this issue requires systemic change, including stronger workplace protections, neurodiversity-affirming policies, and a cultural shift toward valuing diverse ways of thinking, working, and communicating.
The Invisible Epidemic of Autistic Suicide: What Needs to Change Now
Autistic people face an alarmingly high risk of suicide due to lifelong social exclusion, masking, trauma, lack of accessible mental health care, and systemic neglect. Many autistic suicides go unrecognized due to misclassification, executive dysfunction, and a lack of neurodiversity-affirming crisis interventions, leaving this crisis largely invisible. Addressing autistic suicide requires systemic change, including better research, accessible mental health support, and a fundamental shift in how society values and supports autistic individuals.
Why Autism Awareness Month is Exhausting (And What We Actually Need)
Autism Awareness Month is often exhausting for autistic people because it prioritizes outdated, pathologizing narratives, performative allyship, and harmful symbols like the puzzle piece and blue lighting rather than meaningful action. Many awareness campaigns focus on fear-based messaging, exclude autistic voices, and disappear once April ends, leaving systemic barriers unaddressed. What autistic people actually need is year-round acceptance, inclusion, and systemic change that prioritizes accessibility, neurodiversity-affirming perspectives, and leadership from autistic individuals themselves.
Why “Just Ask for Accommodations” Doesn’t Work for Most of Us
The advice to "just ask for accommodations" oversimplifies the complex barriers neurodivergent employees face, including fear of discrimination, inaccessible policies, and workplace stigma. Even when accommodations are granted, they are often ignored, resisted by management, or create tension with colleagues, leading to burnout and job loss. Instead of placing the burden on individuals to constantly self-advocate, workplaces must take systemic responsibility by proactively designing neurodivergent-friendly environments that support all employees equitably.
The Rise of Autistic Mutual Aid: How We’re Supporting Each Other When No One Else Will
Autistic mutual aid networks have emerged as essential support systems in response to the failures of government and nonprofit organizations to adequately serve autistic individuals. These grassroots efforts provide financial assistance, employment support, housing aid, healthcare navigation, and emotional solidarity, ensuring that autistic people have access to resources that traditional systems often deny them. By prioritizing community-driven care and lived experience, autistic mutual aid is reshaping disability support, proving that when institutions fail, autistic people step up to support one another.
The Future of Neurodiversity Advocacy: Where Do We Go from Here?
The future of neurodiversity advocacy faces challenges such as funding limitations, corporate tokenism, and reactionary pushback, but also opportunities for growth through intersectionality, digital activism, and systemic reforms. Ensuring sustainability requires centering neurodivergent voices, securing equitable funding, and demanding accountability from institutions that claim to support neurodivergence. By embracing inclusivity, leveraging technology, and pushing for policy changes, the movement can continue to drive meaningful progress and create lasting change for neurodivergent individuals.
The Cost of Being Autistic and ADHD in 2025: Inflation, Disability, and Economic Survival
Autistic and ADHD adults in 2025 face significant financial struggles due to employment discrimination, inadequate disability benefits, rising healthcare costs, and housing insecurity, all exacerbated by inflation. Many neurodivergent individuals experience job instability, barriers to accessing necessary support services, and economic precarity, often relying on mutual aid and community networks for survival. Without systemic policy changes to improve workplace protections, increase disability benefits, and expand affordable healthcare and housing options, neurodivergent individuals will continue to face disproportionate economic hardship.
Not Just a Phase: Why We Need to Believe and Support Neurodivergent Gender-Diverse Youth
Neurodivergent gender-diverse youth, particularly autistic trans and nonbinary individuals, face unique challenges due to widespread misconceptions, systemic barriers, and increasing anti-trans rhetoric. Despite claims that their identities are a phase, research shows that autistic people are more likely to be gender-diverse and that affirming their identities significantly improves mental health outcomes. To support these youth, we must listen, believe, and advocate for their rights, ensuring they have access to gender-affirming care, safe educational environments, and communities that celebrate their existence.