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.
Tag: autism acceptance
The Value of Disabled Lives and Organs
Why might an autistic, intellectually disabled Black boy with Down syndrome be so much more valuable in death than in life? Because his parents made him an organ donor.
Autism Acceptance—and Celebration
Autism is still largely an unknown, even among generally well-educated people. Autism awareness and education still matter a lot, and they are prerequisites for acceptance. Autism awareness and autism acceptance are both essential.
No “Because” but Love—Intellectual Disability, Identity, Representation, and Value
Autism and disability pride movements assert unique cultures and identities. Can intellectually disabled people be more openly and equitably represented … More
Hammer and Screw: Autism Acceptance and Rejection
I opened my talk at the 2019 HANd Autism & Neurodiversity Conference, themed as “My Autism Journey—Various Perspectives,” in this way, … More
“Poppa, Do You Have Autism?”
I told this story in my keynote address at the HANd Autism & Neurodiversity Conference in fall 2019 at Appalachian … More
My Talk at the 2019 Disability Day of Mourning
I was invited again this year to give a short talk as part of the Disability Day of … More
Republicans Have Autistic Children, Too
I think we widely recognize the silos of information and perspective we now live in, as a society and as … More
Podcast Interview of Ray Hemachandra on Converge Autism Radio
Earlier this week I recorded a podcast with Melanie Vann for Springbrook’s Converge Autism Radio. It posted today. The podcast … More
Autism Adulthood: Caring for the Future and the Present Moment
Part of this piece was written for a recent conference talk—that actually instead turned into pure Q&A—so the beginning, at … More
Ray Hemachandra at Golden Moon Circles 