Blog - Learn From Autistics

Autism Interview #99 Part 2: C. L. Lynch on Autism Advocacy and Raising Non-ableist Families

July 9, 2019JennaInterviews

This is the second part of a two-part interview with Canadian novelist and autistic advocate C. L. Lynch. Last week she shared her personal diagnosis story and explained why she advocates for a complete overhaul in autism severity labeling. She offered an excellent perspective on language surrounding autism and how we can better understand and support autistic individuals through the words we use. This week she discussed ableism in literature and how parents can raise their children without ableist attitudes and advocate for positive autistic identities.

…

Autism Interview #99 Part 1: C.L. Lynch on Self-Awareness and How We Describe Autism

July 2, 2019JennaInterviews

C. L. Lynch is a novelist and autistic advocate from Vancouver. Her breakout novel Chemistry came about from the intention to write a book that was “the exact opposite of Twilight.” She also writes about her recent autism diagnosis and advocates for improved autism awareness and understanding. This is the first part of a two-part interview with C. L. Lynch in which she discusses her personal diagnosis story, how her diagnosis changed her marriage, and why she advocates for a complete overhaul in autism severity labeling (beyond merely avoiding “high” and “low” functioning labels).

…

Autism Interview #98 Part 2: Old Lady With Autism on Advocacy and Autism Resources

June 25, 2019Jenna1 CommentInterviews

This is the second part in a two-part interview with the blogger known as ‘Old Lady With Autism.‘ ‘Old Lady With Autism’ is on a mission to advocate for late-diagnosed individuals on the spectrum as well as autistic elderly who may not have received a diagnosis. Last week she offered insight into her difficulties growing up undiagnosed as well as why it was so important for her to receive a formal diagnosis into her sixties. This week she detailed her mission to use her blog to improve understanding of and support older autistic individuals (with or without a diagnosis).

…

Autism Interview #98 Part 1: ‘Old Lady With Autism’ on Late Diagnosis and Disability

June 18, 2019Jenna3 CommentsInterviews

This is the first part in a two-part interview with the blogger known as ‘Old Lady With Autism.’ ‘Old Lady With Autism’ is on a mission to advocate for late-diagnosed individuals on the spectrum as well as autistic elderly who may not have received a diagnosis. She self-diagnosed with autism a year ago and is currently in the process of receiving a formal diagnosis. She says discovering her autism diagnosis (as well as her mother’s) has helped her make sense of her life and realize a critical need for autism awareness and understanding among the caregivers of the elderly. This week she offered a unique perspective into the difficulties of growing up on the spectrum, especially without an understanding of why she was perceiving the world so differently. She also explains why obtaining an official autism diagnosis is so important, even in her sixties.

…

Autism Interview #97 Part 2: Kmarie on Advocacy and Developing a Positive Autistic Identity

June 11, 2019Jenna2 CommentsInterviews

This is the second part in a two-part interview with Kmarie. Kmarie is an autistic wife, mother, and blogger from Canada. Her beautifully written blog details a variety of different life experiences, including (but not limited to) living with Asperger’s, INFJ personality, low ferritin, and chronic illness. Last week Kmarie discussed her relationship with music, the importance of self knowledge, and her struggles with executive functioning and language. This week Kmarie shared advocacy advice for parents who are trying to raise children with positive autistic identities.

…

Autism Interview #97 Part 1: Kmarie on the Benefits of Knowing Yourself

June 4, 2019Jenna5 CommentsInterviews

This is the first part in a two-part interview with Kmarie. Kmarie is an autistic wife, mother, and blogger from Canada. She is is drawn to music and often uses song lyrics to express her emotions. Her beautifully written blog details a variety of different life experiences, including (but not limited to) living with Asperger’s, INFJ personality, low ferritin, and chronic illness. This week Kmarie discussed her relationship with music, the importance of self knowledge, and her struggles with executive functioning and language.

…

Are We Friends? Exploring Autism and Friendship

May 28, 2019Jenna1 CommentPractical Parenting

How well do you know your child’s friends? Is the friendship mutually beneficial? How do you know? There’s no recommended magic number of friends or amount of time spent with them, but having some kind of healthy friendship is beneficial for everyone. I spoke with two adult female autistic advocates (Lydia Wayman and Amy Gravino)…

Autism Interview #96: Lyn Miller-Lachmann on Writing and Publishing

May 21, 2019Jenna1 CommentInterviews

Lyn Miller-Lachman is a married author, teacher, editor, and writing consultant/sensitivity reader on the autism spectrum. She loves traveling and is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. She writes historical fiction featuring characters who are also on the autism spectrum. This week she discussed autistic portrayals in fiction and shared her experience working with the publishing industry, as well as how it can be more accessible to autistic writers.

…

Autism Interview #95: Emmalia Harrington on Autism Advocacy

May 7, 2019Jenna2 CommentsInterviews

Emmalia Harrington is a nonfiction writer with a deep love of speculative fiction. Her work has previously appeared in Disability in Kidlit, All the Weight of Our Dreams, and FIYAH. She’s a member of the Broad Universe writing guild. This week she shared some of her writing process and autism advocacy advice.

…