Autism

Autism Resources

• What is Autism?

So maybe you’re wondering what is autism exactly? Well, a good place to start is by checking out this concise and unbiased overview written by ASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network) to get a better idea.

• Trouble understanding/finding definitions for some autism concepts and terminology?

I found this handy little guide provided by the University of Melbourne, which details a lot of the main terminology you are likely to come across in a succinct manner (spoon theory, stimming, masking, and meltdowns – to name a few).

• Need help finding Autistic run/led organizations?

1. ASAN (Autism Self Advocacy Network) – perhaps one of the best known autistic led organizations. They focus on promoting to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. They do this through their legal/policy making advocacy, as well as through leadership training and creating educational resources.
2. Yellow Ladybugs – This autistic run organization is primarily committed to promoting the happiness, success and celebration of autistic girls and women. This is done mainly via monthly deliverances of face-to-face and online social events.
3. Spectrum Intersections – A peer led group for people 18 and over who are neurodivergent and LGBTIQA+, covering a wide range of topics on a rolling basis.
4. AWN (Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network) – A non-profit whose aim is to provide community, support, and resources for Autistic women, girls, transfeminine and transmasculine nonbinary people, trans people of all genders, Two Spirit people, and all others of marginalized genders. Regular activities include autism acceptance events, seminars, book reading/discussions, coffee shop meetups
5. AIM (Autistic Inclusive Meets) – Another non-for-profit that enables families with autistic children, and autistic individuals to get out into the community and socialise in an accepting, inclusive environment with like-minded peers. This is achieved by providing support and advice to families and individuals, promoting acceptance of autism through education of the general public, and protecting autistic rights by campaigning against autistic mistreatment.
6. A4A (Autistics for Autistics) – A Canadian based collective who engage in community education, events, activism and advocating for reform to Canadian autism policy.
7. Autistics United Canada – Another Canadian based entity, whose goals are to promote disability justice and create connections by and for autistic people. The focus of this lies mainly in political advocacy.
8. I-ASC (International Association for Spelling as Communication) – An association whose mission is to advance communication access for nonspeaking individuals globally through training, education, advocacy and research.
9. Neuroclastic – A collective who focus on publishing autistic voices, in order to catalogue the intersectional experiences, insights, knowledge, talents, and creative pursuits of Autistics.
10. ICARS (International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion) – This group seeks to connect efforts and organizations to end the use of restraint and seclusion, as well as representingfamilies internationally whose children have been subjected to restraint and seclusion abuse.
11. Communication First – Another organization that advocates for nonspeaking neurodivergent and disabled people. Their mission is to educate the public, advocate for policy reform, and encourage the judicial system to advance the rights, autonomy, opportunity, and dignity of people with speech-related communication disabilities and conditions.
12. Foundations for Divergent Minds – A Texan non-profit which provides training and education to parents, teachers and service providers on neurodiversity-aligned practices and support. Resources are in place or those who want to learn more about the autistic community and how to better serve the needs of neurodivergent people.
13. Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism – A great platform that provides a wide range of autism-related news, discussions and resources. Its goal is to provide clear, referenced, and evidence-supported facts contradictory to negative societal attitudes about autism.
14. Ausome Training – An Irish based business which focuses on Autistic-led training educates people on the realities of being Autistic. Their autism courses are done in a way to help demystify the harmful stigmas and myths that surround the Autistic existence.

• Looking for other Autistic Bloggers to follow?

Head over to Actually Autistic Blogs List if you want to find other autistic bloggers covering a wide range of topics and themes.

• Want some more travel info related to Autism?

1. Autism Travel is a good place to go on over to. A branch-off of IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards), these guys deal with helping the leading travel destinations and attractions in the world ensure they are prepared to provide certified travel options for families and autistic individuals.
2. The Autistic Travel Goddess is a fellow autistic travel blogger who works primarily through the medium of Youtube, and covers a vast array of interesting topics. You can also find her over on Instagram.
3. Travengers is an Australian based initiative aiming to create equal opportunities for young people with social support needs to travel, challenge themselves, and educate others through their travels. Travengers does this by offering a range of trips, activities and outings tailored to autistic individuals.
4. Getaboutable is a social enterprise focused on improving travel and leisure options for people with disabilities (including autism, of course). All profits are re-invested to empower people with disabilities to participate in travel and leisure activities, and to help the travel and leisure sector be more inclusive for people with disabilities. They also hold a yearly conference called AITCAP (Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Conference)

• Do you require something a bit more comprehensive?

Then look no further than the wonderful resource lists put together by Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism and Paginated Thoughts!

More coming soon!

Please note: In the interests of transparency, and for the purposes of education, the descriptions of each organization is paraphrased from the mission statements (or corresponding material) found on their respective websites. No copyright infringement is intended, and I do not own nor claim to own any of the content from any of the sites listed. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners.