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Ray Hemachandra at Golden Moon Circles

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Tag: autism acceptance

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
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

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, autism acceptance, disability, disability rights, down syndrome, intellectual disability

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.

autism, autism acceptance, autism acceptance month, autism advocacy, autism awareness, world autism day
Nicholas Hemachandra looking out at Raven Cliff Falls in South Carolina, May 2020

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

autism, autism acceptance, autism adulthood, IDD, intellectual disability

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

autism, autism acceptance, inclusion, neurodiversity
Nicholas Hemachandra, young and old

“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

autism, autism acceptance, autism parenting, neurodiversity

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

autism, autism acceptance, day of mourning, disability, disability day of mourning, neurodiversity
Nicholas Hemachandra

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

autism, autism acceptance, autism advocacy, autism awareness, neurodiversity

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

ASD, autism, autism acceptance, autism adulthood, autism blogs, autism parenting, autism podcast, autistic children, neurodiversity, parenting, podcast

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I enjoyed a Black Asheville History lesson this week with Miss Sophie Dixon—who shared stories about Elder John Hayes, Stumptown, Shiloh, and the Hillcrest “High” Steppin’ Majorettes & Drum Corps—all at WRES radio station, which is the former home of the NAACP in Asheville and a place rich in history, legacy, memory, love, kindness, and possibility.
"Maybe that's my task: to imagine myself as someone capable of infinite love," said Eric Tran after reading a new poem, a third-person eulogy of himself. "Maybe I am infinitely full of love—or maybe I want to be."
Creature at Biltmore
Poof at the Biltmore Conservatory
Looking up in the Biltmore Conservatory today
Orchid
Elliott Moss @elliottmoss and team are at Little Louie’s @littlelouiesavl in West Asheville smoking the good stuff. If you haven’t been, don’t know what you’re waiting for: Wednesday to Sunday (soon to expand) starting at noon. Brisket, meatballs, wings; pierogies and sandwiches; etc.
When I take my son Nicholas to Camp Royall, it’s a tradition to take a pic in front of the sign. But it rained the entire drive from Asheville to Moncure, which is south of Chapel Hill a little past Pittsboro, and he was ready to start camp … and I was ready to start the drive back home—and keep my phone dry. Here’s to a great camp retreat week for everyone!
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