Advocate for Inclusion and Neurodiversity

https://elemental.medium.com/autism-is-an-identity-not-a-disease-inside-the-neurodiversity-movement-998ecc0584cd The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) annual gala in November (reference article link above) is a very good example of how a truly inclusive event and/or autism event should look like. Just to point out a few features/attributed. 1. Colour-coded badges for Communication Preferences Autistics have differing personalities; some love to talk to everybody (or for some, like me, is because I yearn for company and friendship), some prefer to stick to only those they know , while others prefer to be alone . "But isn't that the same for everyone?" Some non-autistics may prefer to be alone too", some may say. Well, there is more to that than meets the eye. It is not merely a matter of preference for us. It is due to some inherent autism traits or challenges. For example, those who prefer to be alone might need that to find solititude and calmness from t...

https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/autistic-or-has-autism-why-words-matter-and-how-to-get-it-right/10903768 The link above explains the right autism terminologies. Indeed, there is a lot of deeper meanings in the terminologies. We should never dismiss it as just "mere terminology" or reduce it to "let's not get hung up on terminology". Different terms can mean very different things,  and that is partly attributable to the nature of the English language. Moreover, it has underlying mindsets/paradigms  behind the terminology, which is further reinforced through the use of the terminology. The shift from "person with autism" to " Autistic person " is a paradigm shift on a very deep and high level and in many ways. I hope those whose lives have been touched by autism will be players of the bigger plan of breeding a culture of acceptance, appreciation and celebration of Autism and Neurodiversity . For Autistics, and Caregivers, if you are on the...