“Although there is a widespread perception that disabilities inhibit people from reaching their potential, advocates have argued that in many ways they can serve as assets because of the unique talents that they contribute to the workplace and to interpersonal relationships.” By Nils Sku…

The Art of Autism thanks all the artists who contributed to our 3rd Annual Women’s History Month Art Contest in March 2021. This year we had more submissions than ever. Thirty-five artists participated, some with many entries. Thank you curator Kimberly Gerry-Tucker for curating this exhibi…

Last year, jazz composer and musician Justin Morell contacted the Art of Autism about his project All Without Words. Justin had composed jazz music that was inspired by his autistic son Loren. He wanted some artists to listen to the music and create a piece of art based on their experience of his …

By Austin John Jones Some people say that people on the spectrum are not capable of love. This is not true. People on the spectrum are very capable of love. Even more challenged men and women on the autism spectrum are capable of love and can be very affectionate towards the people they love and car…

Angela Demo Casting is currently casting the independent feature film Cha Cha Real Smooth. They are searching for a young actress (10-15 years old) on the autism spectrum to portray the lead role of LOLA. The character description for LOLA is below and you can find further details about the film he…

Acceptance By Rachel Pretlow Let the waves be open! Let the light shine in! Let us embrace parts of us Where we have never been! The wind picks up and lofts me On coast and sea and shore To desert fruits and poppy seeds And to the Mother’s core I am a pollinator I fly with birds and bees I feel the …

Today Greta Thunberg posted the following on her Facebook page. Today is ‪#AutismAwarenessDay‬. At the age of 12 I was diagnosed with Asperger, a form of autism. At that time I had no idea what it meant. When I and my parents told people I was autistic, they always reacted with shock since I didn’…

As advocates we must embrace intersectionality in all we do because no movement’s issues are isolated issues. By Nicole LeBlanc As we celebrate Women’s History Month and Developmental Disability Awareness Month, we must recognize the struggles women continue to face in our society and sy…

By Matt Valente Orangutan means man of the forest, But man is busy destroying their forest. Oh the Irony! You ask why? Mainly in search of palm oil, We ruin the orangutan’s native soil. These noble beasts are left to die; It’s enough to make your blood boil. Save the orangutans; that’s what I say: …

Is it break-up, make-up or wake-up? by Joel Ashton-Fogle Love is confusing at the best of times. This accounts for the huge industry of self-help books, relationship counsellors and literature written over the centuries. Love seems to be an enigma to even the most typical neurotypical. How do we fin…

By Scott Norman Rosenthal “The Malingerer Goes to the Movies,” (a Dis-Ability Coming-Out poem, for Colin Kempner, and Judith Wright) 1. You’re sitting there, and it’s getting harder to breathe. It feels as if a little man, like a gnome, has crept up the back of your seat, and dropped a net in…

Northern Pictures is looking for single autistic people and couples for a new U.S. documentary about autism and dating. Email production@northernpictures.com.au See flyer below. Source: The Art of Autism

By Clare Smith What makes us human? Autistic people already know that one of the enduring myths about us is that we don’t do empathy. That we don’t get how others are feeling. That we don’t even get how we’re feeling. But loads of us can. In fact, many of us have no filter for emotions, so we’re h…

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…