“The long history of trying to ‘cure’ or eliminate autism has been a history of terrible abuse and dangerous sham treatments." I spoke to @autisticadvocacy.org's Greg Robinson and @drstevenkapp.bsky.social about the awful autism presser yesterday. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

I feel like it's worth expanding on this a little bit: Women and other female-identified folks have to be *extremely* buttoned-up and serious and know everything in our area of expertise forward and backwards, to get even a morsel of being taken seriously. On the other hand --

“Don’t give in to the hopelessness of it all. That’s what they want. Progress is inevitable even when it feels out of reach, or like it is slipping away.” From autistic autism researcher @drmbothapsych.bsky.social, at TPGA: thinkingautismguide.com/2025/09/cher... #autism #neurodiversity #autistic

Basically, their effort to portray Autism as preventable and curable is part of a larger project to eliminate anyone they see as costing society more than they contribute. And, short of that, to push those costs fully onto families and off of the state.

And moreover, if Autism is perceived as preventable and treatable, then the implication is that people with Autism Spectrum Disorder should no longer exist.

Essentially, it Autism is perceived as preventable and treatable, then families (mothers) who fail to take their recommended prevention or treatment steps can be blamed for their kids' Autism and denied social support (eg, healthcare, school-based accommodations, etc.).

Whether they're blaming vaccines and Tylenol, or selling dubious "remedies," what they're really doing is promoting the perception that families (and especially mothers) can prevent and treat Autism. And thus also the perception that people with Autism and their families don't need social support.

Hey a thing I really don’t want to get lost here is that while Tylenol doesn’t cause autism, IT’S FINE TO BE AUTISTIC. Let’s not grant them the premise that autism should be eradicated in our way to correct the science, okay? Okay.

For my quant methods & substantive courses -moved every major assignment/exam to in-class on paper -take-home assignments allow AI for coding, not writing -take-home assignments are worth little, but if you're caught AI-writing you get 0 on large amount of final grade (small upside, big downside)

The philosopher D. R. Parton said: Tumble out of bed and I stumble to the kitchen Pour myself a cup of ambition And yawn and stretch and try to come to life Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumpin' Out on the street, the traffic starts jumpin' With folks like me on the job from 9 to 5. 1/2

A reminder to follow journalists, today and every day. If you say you're going to have disability representation in an article on a disability topic, interview a disabled person, not a non-disabled parent. Their perspectives don't count as disability representation.

NGL it's been a long eight months as someone with debilitating chronic illnesses that get worse with emotional stress. Being a journalist rn is...interesting.

Might as well make this clear now for people who haven't known me on social media for around a decade: I do not center non-Autistic people when talking about Autisticness. I do not particularly care what non-Autistic people think about Autisticness, except insofar as it harms Autistic people.

she's still there, monday edition

Spitting in the faces of doctors & scientists who have spent 30 years of their mortal lives in school & often another lifetime of continuing education in the service of advancing medicine, saving lives & mitigating suffering the way the WH is doing is how you create a Literal Batman Rogue Gallery.

my husband is usually responsible for dinner but today he had extra work stuff & went rogue & told my daughter & I to figure it out. she had Nutella toast & I had three popsicles, if that tells you anything about who is keeping the household afloat.

Today makes a very good day to listen to people who actually practice public health, pediatrics, and those with expertise in infectious diseases, developmental pediatrics, and/or epidemiology.

"Vat of eighty different vaccines" would make an incredible band name.

Almost endless list of harmed populations from this announcement: pregnant people, autistic people, children affected by avoidable infectious disease, people who actually need leucovorin for medically established reasons, just about everyone really. Just this cabal causing so much avoidable harm

If you're going to be talking about Autistic people and Autisticness: Neurodiversity is a quality of groups, not individuals. Neurodiversity includes everyone, including neurotypical people. Autistic people are neurodivergent, but neurodivergent is not another way to say "Autistic".

I'll continue to be "I do not regret to inform you that we are going to win"-posting, so figure I should address this point that seems to come up every so often Q: "is it still 'winning' if only *some* good things happen in the near term instead of total planetary eco socialist revolution?" A: yes

fog is an especially romantic type of cloud

I have taken the Tylenol that was in the medicine cabinet and which they think probably is the reason you like trains forgive me but that’s bullshit you got autism from your dad

In addition to all the ableism, blaming moms for taking tylenol during pregnancy or vaccinating their children definitely feels like a recycled version of the "refrigerator mom" theory of autism. Every single day under this administration I have been reminded of why disability history matters.

Current soap storylines and speculation- Days: Is Stefano DiMera alive?! GH: Is Cesar FAISON alive? - - - Is this 2005? Honestly, I’m thrilled. Wild soap opera storylines are my daily escape from the ceaseless horrors of reality. @dayspeacock.bsky.social @generalhospital.bsky.social

Too late, Batman. Once this Tylenol floods the city's water supply, my wiki won't run out of editors ever again

A poem. In every breath and exhaled hum, every flutter and flinch, In how my mind runs miles after I consider even an inch, In my hands and my face and my partner’s embrace, in each moment of every day, hear me shout out with pride, with comrades by my side, I’m autistic and I’m here to stay.

Let me make this very clear: Being sarcastic about sexual assault while also anti science, and scaring pregnant people into not appropriately treating their pain while simultaneously belittling the lives of autistic people is really a full encapsulation of this administration.

I know I am only a humble speech pathologist, but for the professional record I reject everything that RFK says or will say about autism, and it’s important to recognize what he’s really saying is that to be neurodiverse is worse than to be dead

Tylenol does not cause autism. Autistic kids do not need to be cured. Okay thanks bye.

they’re afraid of the very intense energy we bring to such questions as “which Pride & Prejudice adaptation is better?”

Why are they so afraid of autism. Is it the swag. Is it the autism swag

Is it because they know that if autistics were in charge the trains would ACTUALLY run on time

Are they just jealous because they wish they had a cool hobby that gave them sincere joy

Are they mad because they didn’t get into gifted and talented because they couldn’t pronounce words like acetaminophen

My views on today’s BS “breakthrough” on #Autism Stop blaming moms, stop cutting REAL research and the programs that support autistic people.

Fuck you; make me—John Oliver

Every #autistic person is hurt by this regime and their mythology about ‘fighting #autism and seeing it as a ‘tragedy’ — and the push for a ‘cure.’ So much harm is being done.

I study the political sociology of disability. I’m also a former HHS employee. Personally, professionally, & on so many other levels, I’m appalled by today’s press conference. These demagogues do not deserve the time of day. And we can build a better world in spite of them. Mir veln zey iberlebn.

Not really a fan of how most people talk about autism. Even those who support autistic people will act like it’s some disease to be avoided. Something we should be reducing the chances of. I think a lot of people do think that. Because they don’t view us as desirable.

There’s a big old grizzled raccoon who lives in the tree outside my house & this morning I caught him stumbling home after what looked to be a rough night. We stared at each other for a long time—weary, wary trash pandas, both

Steve Silberman is not here to shout it — so it’s up to all of us. Vaccines don’t cause autism. Neither does Tylenol. (I mean seriously WTF?!?!) The “epidemic” of autism is the result of increased testing, broader definitions, and raised awareness. LOUDER.

Autism is not a tragedy.

anyway, instead of giving attention to any of the anti-autism bullshit happening currently, how about we use my autism powers for good and for every like on this post I will show you a frog (real, medieval, fictional, the world is your oyster [or frog])

Autism does not need to be cured! It's the rest of society that needs to be more accommodating!! Neurodivergence and disabilities cause suffering only because we have so little understanding or support. Treating it as something "broken" or "wrong" only enforces that, please just help people instead.

I cannot tell you how grim the AI in higher ed situation is. Many of the students have completely surrendered to letting AI do their homework, badly, I might add. How do you fix this? Truly, what the hell do we do, beyond what grading can address, which isn't a solution?

I appreciate this. I am not autistic, but I try to be a little bit of a good disability journalist to follow on autism related things.

Well… if “the Autism Wars” are going to start back up again, I will be joining in on the side of Autism (and Autistic People). ⚔️🏹🧨💣

I'm firmly on the side of autism in this war on autism.