By Nils Skudra This week I had the opportunity to watch Jerry Rothwell’s documentary The Reason I Jump, a profoundly compelling commentary on the lives of several young nonspeaking adults on the autism spectrum. Based on the book of the same title by Naoki Higashida, this documentary explores the u…

“The question is not what you look at but what you see’’ Henry David Thoreau By Laura Brind Current data tells us that approximately 4 times as many boys are diagnosed with autism than girls. In respect of the International Women’s Day theme ‘choose to challenge’ this article explores how th…

“I’m a relentless guy who goes on and on.” Xavier DeGroat By Ron Sandison Xavier DeGroat is motivated, authentic and relentless. These characteristics enabled him to build a strong resume and a celebrity contact list equivalent to a Hollywood Walk of Fame. Xavier has met former Presidents Obam…

In wrapping up our series for Black History Month, The Art of Autism board compiled a list of 24 Black Autistic People you may want to know about. 1. Anita Cameron Anita is one of the original disability rights activitists in the United States. She worked on the passage of the Americans with Disabi…

The fifth in a series of Art of Autism blog posts for Black History Month 2021 compiled by Keri Bowers. Featuring Civil War Historian Nils Skudra From conflicts to major wars, African American’s have fought in every single conflict in United States history. Promises of freedom and other benefits of…

“For while we have our eyes of the future, history has its eyes on us. This is the era of just redemption we feared at its inception.” Amanda Gorman Compiled by Keri Bowers The Art of Autism recognizes the vital historical contributions made by black Americans throughout history via the eyes and art…

“Everyone deserves someone and everyone deserves a friend.” Juliana Fetherman By Ron Sandison I was excited to interview Juliana Fetherman, the founder of Making Authentic Friendships. I saw Juliana and her brother Michael on The Today Show. Juliana created an app to empower young adults with autism…

Black History Month Compilation 1: Art and Writings from our Readers Compiled by Keri Bowers with Angela Weddle and Carly Fulgham Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Martin Luther King, Jr., Minister, Civil Rights Activist …

February is Black History Month. Lois Curtis is an African American artist with intellectual and developmental disabilities and schizophrenia. Curtis paved the way for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities to get out of institutional settings and live within communities. By Angela…

By Connor Long-Johnson My story begins when I was first diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in early 2017. I naturally both needed and wanted to share my diagnosis with friends, family and co-workers. Thankfully, most of those who I told were understanding and showed me the compassion I desper…

It feels so good to write 2021 and put 2020 behind us. Though the last year was dark with fires, COVID, and economic uncertainty there were times of light and laughter. Autistry ended the year with stunning success stories. We supported 20 students taking several different courses at College of Mar…

It’s not weird that I’m not so good at letting go, because holding on is what I’ve always done. Letting go is new. And growing hurts. By Martine Mussies Let it Go! Let it Go! People with autism are notorious for their inability to let go – and I am no exception to this. Last…

By Nils Skudra One film that I have been moved to watch numerous times is Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech, a 2010 biographical depiction of King George VI of Great Britain and the struggle to overcome his speech impediment. I felt that this would be a prime candidate for a film review since people or…

By Joel Ashton-Fogle Duel Diagnosis No, this is not a miss-spelling! For every day is a battle; a combat between symptoms, treatments for them, side-effects of the treatments and subsequent treatments to alleviate the side-effects, leading to more side-effects and more treatments. And so it goes o…