Do you have an Autistic Classmate? Here’s What They Want You to Know
This article is based on an interview with an Autistic 9th grader. It was written and edited collaboratively with the interviewer.
…This article is based on an interview with an Autistic 9th grader. It was written and edited collaboratively with the interviewer.
…This is the first part of a two-part interview with Mike Macedo. Mike Macedo is a clinical social worker, psychotherapist, writer, and autism advocate working in Rhode Island. Macedo speaks on a variety of autism advocacy topics including school and workplace transitions. This week he shared some of his experiences growing up undiagnosed with multiple disabilities and often misunderstood by his peers.
…Dr. Natasa Tsiaousidou is a general surgeon, a researcher with a PhD in pancreatic cancer and several publications in the fields of cancer and surgery, and a part-time scientific writer. She is originally from Greece and currently lives in Scotland, UK. After being diagnosed with autism a few months ago, she started a blog on autism called theautisticdoctors.com with an aim to address the problems Autistic people often have to deal with at work. When she’s not on clinical duty or writing, she enjoys practicing martial arts, listening to progressive metal music, and reading about cosmology, chance and probabilities, striving ineffectually to make sense of this world.
…Alan Conrad is an autistic father and author with over 40 years working in the personal injury business. Conrad is the author of several books, including The Shyness Guide, which explores shyness, introversion, autism, and social anxiety. This week Conrad shared his experiences with shyness and advocacy for shy people.
…Sarah Henderson is a blogger, speaker, and university student studying math from the U.K. Henderson blogs at I Don’t Look Autistic on a variety of topics related to autism. Today she discussed friendships, self-advocacy, and autism misconceptions.
Holly Bishop is from southwestern Ohio and has a Bachelor’s of Art in European History, as well as a Master’s of Science in Political Science, from Southern New Hampshire University. Bishop was formally diagnosed with ASD I in July 2020, at the age of 37. This week she shared her path to diagnosis, self-advocacy, and navigating personal and public life.
…Christine M. Condo is an Autism writer, consultant, and spokesperson. She blogs about her autistic experience and is pursuing a master’s degree in technical communication at George Mason University. This week she discussed the fatigue of masking and the importance of accommodations and being open to different styles of communication.
…As you settle into whatever holiday routine your family might have this time of year, keep in mind ways you can continually accommodate for those around you on the spectrum. Stay in constant communication with those you know on the spectrum so that you can support them in both small and big ways. Small changes…
Nic Laughter is a developer and public advocate with a new podcast called Autistic AF that focuses on autism in adults. He writes and speaks about issues related to autism with a special interest in eliminating the barriers many autistic face to entering the workforce. This week he shared his diagnosis story and discussed different ways society can be more accommodating to autistics in social and professional settings, and his goals for improving autistic access to meaningful work.
…Morgan Giosa is a 26 year-old web developer, blues guitarist, photographer, and visual artist from Connecticut. Morgan says his music and visual art ultimately come to him from his “unique and unconventional intuition and emotions, and his quirky, idiosyncratic view of the world.” This week he shared his experience as a freelance web developer, musician, and how he recently learned to embrace his Autistic identity.
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