Recently I told Debra Muzikar (editor of the Art of Autism blog) about the book I wrote on Buddha Shakyamuni’s life entitled “Symphony for India Buddha and Freedom.” In this book, Siddhartha behaves like a person on the autism spectrum since early childhood. Debra asked me to write an article on wh…

A Civil War historian makes the case for Stonewall Jackson having Asperger’s Syndrome By Nils Skudra As a Civil War historian, I always have a fervent interest in studying how its notable political and military leaders made a significant impact on the course of the war. One of the most iconic…

The Art of Autism’s 6th Annual Poems and Art for Peace. Header art by Ansh Batra. Compiled by The Art of Autism in collaboration with autistics, family, allies, and friends The Art of Autism’s 2021 Peace Series is dedicated to Haiti and Afghanistan’s good peoples, and the countless mor…

From a woman on the autism spectrum By Bea Mienik Can you paint with no color? As this year’s Disability Pride Month came to a close last month many companies pledged their support for disability inclusion. Where is the walk behind the talk? Ours is a society that is daily becoming more and m…

What? College classes start this week. This summer just sped by! We were all so happy to be at least partially out of COVID confinement that we crammed as much fun and adventure as we could into this summer. We surfed, kayaked, went whitewater rafting, enjoyed playing in the parks and hiking through…

“I believe God gives each of us a purpose. To the horse, it’s to run across the prairie. For a cowboy, it’s to ride,” Brady Blackburn (Brady Jandreau) By Nils Skudra This evening I just finished watching The Rider, a compelling biographical western film directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Bra…

“I have what’s kind of a stereotypical autistic memory for details and facts, which has been helpful in different ways as a priest.” Matthew Schneider By Ron Sandison Father Matthew P. Schneider has over 65,000 followers between Twitter and Instagram and is completing a doctorate in moral theo…

It’s hard to believe that the Covid saga goes on, and we are still on full lockdown here in Manitoba. The isolation has been so difficult for so many people. Having autism has its perks, for me life has gone on pretty much the same. I just stay focused and continue to create lots of new art. Now whe…

Considered the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, Alan Turing’s idiosyncrasies have led some historians to speculate that he may have had Asperger’s syndrome. Editor’s Note: Asperger’s syndrome is a previously used diagnosis which was under the autism …

By Jordan Wilson-Dalzell There are many ways you can show up and support autistic people. First, remember to listen to us. We are the experts on autism and our own lived experiences. Support autistic folks in your lives by listening to them first, and learn from autistic voices in general. A place…

By Nils Skudra This week I took the opportunity to watch The Theory of Everything, a 2014 biographical film about the renowned cosmologist and physicist Stephen Hawking who struggled with ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) throughout his life but achieved remarkable success and internation…

By Ron Sandison Father’s Day is especially meaningful to me as a dad with autism, I try not to take the responsibility for granted with my hectic schedule of writing and speaking. When I was diagnosed with autism at age seven the experts informed my parents I would probably never get married and ha…

By Kathy Crabbe I’ve been an artist forever! I try to paint every day because it brings me richness; of experience, emotion, intuition and yes, income too! I don’t necessarily choose what I’ll be painting, it chooses me! During Covid I only painted cute, cozy kittens on wood. Now I’m painting nude…

A humorous look at autism. By Englebert Lau 1.) Repetitive habits that only make sense to you Girl: “That’s weird.” Guy: “What’s weird?” Girl: “You always eat food in the same order. Steak, then potatoes, then vegetables.” Guy: “That makes perfect sense. You have to eat steak when it’s warm. P…