How Autistic people experience the world is still not well understood by many mental health clinicians. As many Autistic adults – and particularly women – are undiagnosed, mental health clinicians may assume they communicate and behave like a non-Autistic person would in the same situati…

“I’ve noticed as Eric has aged, he is seen less and less as an actual person. Which is why he is no longer pitied. To them, he’s no longer a sentient human being. He is seen more and more as a thing. Eric IS a person. “ By Lori Pollard As a young child, my son Eric was quie…

Autistic people can find it very hard to break into the labor market. We might be extremely anxious about working or the job application process, have had a traumatic experience in the workplace, be very anxious around people or have low self-esteem. By Jeanette Purkis There are many reasons why peo…

by Debra Muzikar “Kevin will use age-appropriate eye contact in (3 out of 4) verbal interactions with adults or peers in 4 trials as measured by observation and trial.” Many parents see goals such as this on their child’s IEP’s or therapy plans. In fact, when I researched thi…

Meltdowns are a child’s (or an adult’s) way of communicating they are in a situation that is too much for them or they have reached their limits.  By Planet Autism There seems to be an overwhelming desire in all areas of life, to make people with autism fit into a neuro-typical (NT) way of being. Ap…

April 2, 2016 is World Autism Awareness Day – the Art of Autism seeking videos with the theme of #AutismSweets Cakes from around the world celebrating autism will be revealed on Saturday, April 2, 2016 Over 100 cake decorators from around the world have come together to bring autism acceptance and a…

“You’re autistic?” By Leanne Libas The first thing most people say when I disclose my autism is, “Really?! You don’t look autistic.” I have a love-and-hate relationship with that particular phrase. I love the reactions I receive from those who perceive me as a “normal person.” I …

Think of a 1 in 68 prevalence number in a nation of 318.9 million, then take the working ages between 18-69 and then enact the 75-85% unemployment number… By Michael John Carley Over the last five years, many new non-profits (and for-profits with consciences) have formed to answer the 75-85% u…

All the Weight of Our Dreams: On Living Racialized Autism, the first anthology of its kind – a call for donations by Lydia Brown Leaving Evidence I am a proud autistic of color working with the Autism Women’s Network to create the first ever anthology of art and writings by autistics of colo…

Update 2/29/2016 I’m collecting favorite quotes about autism from some of my favorite people. Please share your own in the comments and if I like it, I may add it to the list. 1. “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism,” Dr. Stephen Shor…

Downs Design® and NBZ Jeans® with  no buttons and zipperless jeans addresses dressing challenges for people with special needs. By Keri Bowers I recently ran across an amazingly altruistic clothing company and fell madly in love with both their clothing line and their central mission. As the mother …

When disability is cool and collectible, it may seem like recognition, but there is too much room for marginalization. By Angela Weddle After reading The Art of Autism’s facebook post on the Creative Growth Studios, I was left with some realizations and questions both about the art world, in genera…

by Debra Muzikar In the last decade the world has changed dramatically. Today’s teens unlike prior generations have grown up with iphones, ear buds, tablets, and apps. Although many teens may be digitally savvy they may lack the personal skills needed to make new friends or land a job. Smile &…

“What does it mean to be autistic?” Amy Goodman “It means you have special talents and skills inside you,” Owen Suskind “What are those talents?” Amy Goodman “Being a good artist, and a piano player, and a good writer, author, and a storyteller, and a possib…