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Autistic shielding: reclaiming my weird
As I have written before, Autistic shielding involves being authentic in our Autistic embodiment (What is Autistic shielding?). This allows us to turn away intolerant people and find our neurokin. My Autistic embodiment involves an uncontrollably expressive face, singing the same jingle or song over and over, talking to myself, narrating all my daily activities,…
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Trans and Autistic: sorting my gender after diagnosis
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Heartbreak high: Autistic representation done right
I have been waiting for Quinni – an Autistic girl played by an Autistic actress – my whole life. What I love about Quinni is that not only is she Autistic, she is openly a lesbian. Most media with lesbian characters are full of trauma around understanding their identity and coming out. And although that…
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Activism in the everyday
“Activism doesn’t have to be big and loud it can be in every day conversations” Every time someone speaks up for marginalised folks they are advocating for themselves and others. Showing up for ourselves and other people is the biggest form of self care and activism. Activism doesn’t have to be big and flashy, web…
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Trans and Autistic: the importance of online groups
The internet has become a place in which transgender+ Autistic people can gain access to resources, ideas and language to describe our gender and neurological identities. Using online support groups allows me to find out more about myself and how I relate to others as a late diagnosed Autistic gender divergent person. Having safe spaces…
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Trans and Autistic: supporting gender diverse Autistic students
Living at the intersection of trans and Autistic identities is a unique and insightful experience, however many of us who occupy this space have difficulty in gaining support within educational settings. Many of us find it difficult to find teaching staff who are both knowledgeable about, and affirming to, Autistic and transgender experiences. Those who…
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Trans and Autistic: Where do I belong?
Group membership and a sense of belonging can improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of gender diverse Autistic people. However, there remains real risks of transphobia within queer spaces. At the 2018 London Pride march which was infiltrated by a small group of anti-trans protesters. These protesters made disparaging remarks about transwomen and shared literature…
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The difference between Autistic masking and Autistic shielding
“Autistic shielding appreciates that there is no such thing as invisible differences or disabilities – simply that people do not care enough to educate themselves and really see other people. Shielding is projecting the most intense, strange and wonderful things about yourself – waving our freak flags high for all to see. ”
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What is Autistic shielding?
Autistic shielding is leaning into your neurological differences and behaviours. It is embracing neuro-anarchy: being who you are, doing what you do and bollocks if others don’t like it. Shielding for me is being aggressively Autistic and Attention Hyperactive and doing my OCD rituals and behaviours with no shame. Shielding is liberation; protecting myself by…
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Autistic Pride: joy, pain and activism
