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Reducing Pervasive Sexual and Domestic Violence and Abuse Against People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

We must take action now to stop sexual assault and domestic and caregiver violence against intellectually and developmentally disabled people. 

A Deficit of Imagination and Decency: Waitlists for IDD Services Across the U.S.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans with IDD—intellectual and developmental disabilities—are not getting what they need to have decent, safe, and healthy lives in their communities.

autism, autism adulthood, autism advocacy, developmental disability, IDD, intellectual disability

Mental Health Acceptance and Loving Community

Mental-health perfection, rather than variation, is mythical—as elusive as physical-health perfection—and maybe a little boring.

acceptance, loving community, mental health, mental health acceptance, mental wellness

A White House Visit and Event for Care Workers, Caregivers, and Advocates

A trip to the White House for a Rose Garden event honoring professional care workers, family caregivers, and advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

care workers, caregivers, caregiving, developmental disability, DSPs, executive order, IDD, intellectual disability, juggler, juggling, juggling video, President Biden, White House

Autism and IDD: Caregiving, Advocacy, Community, and Love

We need to step up our support, recognition, and advocacy both for autistic and intellectually disabled people and for the caregivers—both support workers and caregivers—who love and care for them.

autism, autism acceptance, autism acceptance month, DSPs, IDD, intellectual disability, support workers

Poem: Those Who Remember

A new poem from Ray Hemachandra: “Those Who Remember”

National Poetry Month, poem, poems, poet, poetry, writer, writing

A Letter about IDD Advocacy in North Carolina

What we lack most centrally in intellectual and developmental disability work and advocacy in North Carolina is the fierce urgency of now, to use and insist upon the meaning of the famous and essential phrase by Dr. King.

autism, developmental disability, equity, IDD, intellectual disability, representation
October 2022: Ray Hemachandra and Nicholas Hemachandra at the parklet in Asheville, North Carolina, at the Center for Craft, created in conjunction with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

You’re My Son

My son Nicholas is autistic, and he has echolalia. But what he says in repeated speech can carry as much meaning—and sometimes even more feeling—as the “right” words.

adults with autism, autism, autism acceptance, Love, son

Community Inclusion and IDD: Prioritizing Choice for Disabled People

Should policy-directed “best outcomes” from government officials and advocacy groups reduce, rather than enhance, choice for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)—and sometimes trap them in unsafe, hostile environments?

autism, developmental disability, disability, disability rights, disabled, featured, IDD, inclusion, integration, intellectual disability
Nicholas Hemachandra on a mountaintop wearing a shirt that says, "If you can be anything, be inclusive."

Autistic Isolation, Connection, and Joy: Never Miss Dessert

Autistic adults, like adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities more generally, are not often seen as agents of love, joy, connection, relationship, and meaning for others. That’s because they’re not often seen at all.

autism, autism acceptance, autism acceptance month, autism adulthood, autism awaremess, world autism day

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Quick Links to the Site’s Most Popular Posts

  • Autism and Disability Articles
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Top Posts in the Past Day

  • Autism 101: Hating Your Autistic Child
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  • "Poppa, Do You Have Autism?"
    "Poppa, Do You Have Autism?"
  • End the waitlists for services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
    End the waitlists for services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • My talk at this year's NCCDD Awards Ceremony: the 2025 Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award
    My talk at this year's NCCDD Awards Ceremony: the 2025 Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award
  • On Blackness and Autism, Identity and Essence
    On Blackness and Autism, Identity and Essence
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    Autism Acceptance—and Celebration
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    Definition as Destiny: Breaking Autistic Boundaries
  • Women and Men and Autism: Love and Bathrooms
    Women and Men and Autism: Love and Bathrooms
  • Who's the Faeriest of Them All? An Interview with Brian Froud
    Who's the Faeriest of Them All? An Interview with Brian Froud

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