Autism Interview #101: Elizabeth Crawford on Listening, Marriage, and Autistic Identity

Elizabeth Crawford is an autistic freelance book editor and writer who blogs at Return to Innocence. She’s on a mission to support other women with Asperger’s Syndrome by writing about her life experiences. She has a new book Chameleon: An Asperger’s Memoir that released this month. This week she shared her experience as a former teacher in a school for autistic children as well as her experience navigating social life and the learning curve of personal relationship development.

Autism Interview #102: Marie Porter on Leading a Better Advocacy Movement

Marie Porter is a professional spandex costumer and cookbook author from Canada. She is an award-winning cake artist, and her cakes even landed her international magazine coverage, including “Every Day with Rachel Ray.” She blogs about new recipes, celebrations, crafts, and occasionally, autism. This week she shared her experiences growing up undiagnosed and ideas for how parents can better support autistics in leading a more positive advocacy movement.

Autism Interview #100! Julia Bascom on Autism Advocacy for All

I am pleased to announce this is the 100th interview on the Learn From Autistics site! I’m especially excited to introduce Julia Bascom, Executive Director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Julia is a leading voice in autistic self-advocacy and currently serves on the Centene National Disability Advisory Council, the advisory board of Felicity House, the board of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, and the board of Allies For Independence. Julia is also the editor of Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking, an anthology of writings by autistic people. This week Julia discussed autistic identity, autistic representation, and how The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) advocates for all autistic individuals.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.