“I overcame the constraints other set on me by understanding my strengths and using those strengths to serve others.” By Ron Sandison In interviewing hundreds of young adults with autism for my fourth book on Autism, Growth & Transitioning into Adulthood, I discovered the greatest hindrance t…

Autism Level 1 Speaks By Theresa Werba In a world of hyper-stimuli, Lights and sounds and touches, I retreat into the world within myself for relief. There is too much to process all at once, It comes at me like a screaming hoard, shoving up against my walls and forcing me to interact. Why interact?…

By Ryan Smoluk All Without Words As a self-advocate for autism awareness and a visual artist, I was so excited when this project came my way. It allowed me to create art that represents neurodiversity. I was free to create whatever images that flowed into my imagination. There were no boundaries. Cr…

By Nils Skudra This morning I had the opportunity to watch My Name is David, a compelling short film featuring the actual words of David Shapiro Sharif (May 28, 1997 – April 23, 2022), a young autism advocate who recently died suddenly at the age of 24. Made in Claymation, the film provides a…

The Art of Autism is excited to announce the winners of our Women’s History Month Art Contest. Thank you to Art of Autism board member Kimberly Gerry-Tucker for curating this year’s exhibit. Thank you to our sponsor ArtLifting for providing gift certificates to winning entries. Thank …

This poem was written about my recent stay in mental health facility where I was admitted due to a meltdown. Miranda Wallace Ireland Catch and Release I am autistic because when everyone else laughs and I don’t think it’s funny I don’t care to mimic you No monkey see, no monkey do   …

The Art of Autism is excited to announce the winners of our Women’s History Month Art Contest. Thank you to Art of Autism board member Kimberly Gerry-Tucker for curating this year’s exhibit. Thank you to our sponsor ArtLifting for providing gift certificates to winning entries. Thank …

By Kris McElroy I wish I could say I go into Autism Awareness Month with joy and excitement. Instead when April 1 hits I see an intense ball of emotions behind my eyes swelling in my body as I look in the mirror and prepare to navigate the stereotypes, the stigma, the messages that have been used to…

Maybe I’m wrong, but I personally don’t think God would’ve made such cool things in life or given us the capacity to think, create and have fun if none of it was allowed. By Miya Sae Raise your hand if you’ve ever heard one of these in church: • “Oh, you’re struggling with X, Y, Z and it’s not going…

Happy Autism Acceptance Month. World Autism Awareness Day is Saturday, April 2! This month The Art of Autism looks at #ActuallyAutistic Instagram influencers you may want to follow. Do you know someone we should follow? Place your suggestions in the comments below. 1. Greta Thunberg Environmen…

“Autism has truly become my superpower throughout life.” Britini D’Angelo By Ron Sandison Britini D’Angelo (Niagara Falls, NY), is a teacher, dance instructor, a fourth degree black belt in the Chuck Norris System, and was recently a contestant on Big Brother 23 (CBS). Britini overcame m…

When I got my diagnosis of autism, it was like there was suddenly and explosive light that emerged in the darkness of all my mistakes. I am not broken. I am not just a bitch. I am autistic. By Jessica Penot I have administered the Autism Diagnostic Interview the Revised Addition (ADI-R) 132 tim…

Infinitely Polar Bear articulates an encouraging message about the ability of neurodivergent individuals to be successful parents, a goal they can achieve through love and support from their partners and from their children. By Nils Skudra This week I had the opportunity to watch Maya Forbes’ 2014 p…

Yes, a spoonful of sugar does help the medicine go down, but there is a fine line between medicine and a sugar pill. By Anton Spivack When I saw this video on Youtube about how to choose a high school musical, one commenter listed a set of guidelines. One of which rang particularly true: “it has t…