The Ridiculous Trend of Gatekeeping Autism

I’d like you to imagine, just for a moment, what it would look like if English professors gatekept literature the way that some Mental health professionals—and casual members of the general public—gatekeep autism. “I’ve been reading a lot lately. Have you read One Hundred Years of Solitude? That book really moved me. I think it […]

“Profound Autism” Consensus Definition Debuts at INSAR

It’s been more than three years since the Lancet Commission proposed the new term “profound autism” to describe the subset of the autism spectrum most disabled by the disorder. This label has been widely embraced by a range of stakeholders, including researchers, clinicians, policy makers, autistic people, and parents. A quick search for “profound autism” […]

Neurodiversity Affirming Assessments for Autism and ADHD

The neurodiversity movement is a social justice initiative promoting the acknowledgment, acceptance, and inclusion of people with neurological differences. It aims to change how our society views neurodivergence so we can replace stereotypes with a more holistic view of people’s unique strengths and needs. Neurodiversity awareness allows the opportunity for more inclusive workspaces, schools, and […]

Hearing Loss, Autism, and Cognitive Decline

Recent news stories reveal that hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia. As an autistic person, I have long been aware that differences in our sensory systems can be terribly disabling. Hearing is an obvious example, but autism, ADHD, and dyslexia also illustrate that, and now all are associated with cognitive disability too. Our […]