The following excerpt is shared with the author’s permission from the book What I Mean When I Say I’m Autistic, which is available to borrow from Libby through OAR’s Lending Library as an e-book and an audiobook. There are thousands of us—women who discovered our autism well into adulthood, well past many of the memories it explains. We’re too late in life…
Diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, are trendy topics in today’s world. So, what do they mean? Diversity, equity, and inclusion are interconnected concepts that aim to ensure fair treatment, representation, and a sense of belonging for all individuals, particularly those historically marginalized. The concept of DEI has roots in social justice movements of the…
There is a common misconception among ableists that adults with autism are “lazy.” In fact, autistic employees have many traits that make us attractive to employers. Yet the unemployment rate for autistic adults is high, ranging from 40% to 85%. My periods of unemployment were tough for me and my family. The rejection letters and…
A client once told me she avoids telling doctors she’s autistic. “What’s the point?” she said. “Once I mention it, I turn into either a fascination or a fraud.” Her words stayed with me. Many autistic adults describe the same pattern: when they share their diagnosis, the energy in the room shifts. Some providers become overly curious, turning the…
“I was in the mainstream health class in high school, learning about health with students without disabilities. When the sexuality unit started, they removed me from class.” When a person with a disability shared that experience with me, it stopped me in my tracks. The message being sent was unmistakable: learning about physical activity and…
Early intervention is critical for children with autism, yet many families face obstacles that delay diagnosis and access to support. Autism looks different in every child, no matter their age, background, or ethnicity. That can make early signs hard to spot, which can create barriers for families. Parents are often the first to notice differences in how…
When most people think about autism, they think of it as something that only affects children. Yet autism is a lifelong condition, and most autistic people are adults. Based on census data for the United States and the United Kingdom (and most other western countries), 20% of the autistic population are under 18 and 80%…
A new patient walks into my office, looking like a lot of my patients do: exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure whether I’m going to be just another doctor who doesn’t believe them. They’ve already seen a dozen specialists. Some have said “it’s just anxiety.” Others didn’t even say that much. They’ve been told their test results…
Ten years ago, when Aidan, my profoundly autistic son, was 14, I had all kinds of ideas about what his adulthood might look like. I often swung between hope and fear. On hopeful days, I envisioned that he would live in a cool community with his peers; we’d start a business (I even bought a…
