Are you a self-advocate of color (or part of a group working to make a difference in communities of color) with an idea to build positive changes for disabled people in your community? Apply for our Mini Grants program! autisticadvocacy.org/teighlor-mcg...

Another TCAF wrapped up. It was great seeing so many new and familiar faces at Retreat. The new space at the Mattamy was fantastic, looking forward to next year!

If you're at @torontocomics.bsky.social this weekend and you need to to take a break come see us in room 3310. www.instagram.com/stories/retr...

When we support neurodiversity, we don't shame people for how their brains work. Instead, we find the best ways to have their backs. Learn more at our #Neurodiversity FAQ: tinyurl.com/TPGAneurodiversityFAQ #autism #neurodiversity

It's autism acceptance month! Why not support a grassroots neuro accessibility project. We're raising funds for our popup nd breakroom at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival in June. Even $5 or $10 help. If you can't donate please share! #AutismAcceptance #tcaf2025 ko-fi.com/retreatndbre...

#autistic people don’t need NT people to save us! You cannot do anything for #autism without the input & first hand lived experiences of #actuallyautistic people! ♾️ we do not need NT savior #autismacceptance #autisticadult #autismadvocate #neurodivergent

Hi! If you live in Toronto, I'm running an event in a couple of weeks. You should come out! #toronto #events #playful #creative #fun #workshop www.eventbrite.ca/e/play-space...

New banner arrived! No more struggling to find us. The space at #TCAF2025 is much bigger and better this year and we want to make the most of it by bringing more stuff. We only have $104 to go in our fundraiser. Please share and donate if you can. ko-fi.com/retreatndbre...

“The histories of ableism and racism are co-dependent and intertwined. Those histories inform and underly the inequities and injustices facing disabled people of color in both our individual lives and in our advocacy work.”

Please share and donate if you can. TCAF will be be bigger this year which means we expect to be serving even more neurodivergent visitors. Help us meet the increased need. #tcaf2025 #toronto #autism #adhd #audh #MadPride #bipolar #cptsd ko-fi.com/retreatndbre...

Now that neurodivergent women and people of color are finally receiving diagnoses and accessing the support they deserve, the narrative shifts to claims of “overdiagnosis” of Autism & ADHD . Curious how recognition only becomes a crisis when it extends beyond the usual spaces. #MomSky #GoodMorning

This research focuses on autism but it would be interesting to see research on groups made of people with a range of neurodivergent experiences. Not just autistic but ADHD, CPTSD, anxiety, BPD, bipolar, etc. Especially with all the comorbidities.

Still raising money for the neurodivergent breakroom at TCAF2025. More than half way there! #TorontoArts #adhd #autism #audh #anxiety #cptsd ko-fi.com/retreatndbre...

A great outline of how to create more inclusive and engaging classroom room for all children. All children learn better when they are given agency and respect. thinkingautismguide.com/2025/01/how-...

We have the unfortunate task of informing you all that the “Up” Escalator in our convention space is out of order for #Furnal2025. While out of our control, we do apologize for the inconvenience. Stairs & an Accessibility Elevator are available as needed.

Going to go see our space at the Mattamy Centre for TCAF2025 on Friday. Sounds like it will be an improvement over the space we had at the reference library. Planning to have better lighting this year too.

Let’s talk about KidLit books with great autistic representation! There are so many more that could be included—but here are some of autistic author @medenkuyatt.bsky.social's favorite picture books, early chapter books, middle grade, and YA reads, at TPGA: thinkingautismguide.com/2025/03/repr...

Support community reparations for Autistic People of Color through the Autistic People of Color Fund!

We've already raised 65% of our goal for TCAF 2025! Please help us close the gap by sharing widely and donating. Remember, any amount makes a difference. #tcaf2025 #toronto #ActuallyAutistic #AccessForAll ko-fi.com/retreatndbre...

ASAN’s proxy caller system is now open! If you are disabled and unable to make phone calls, use our proxy caller system to have a volunteer call your representative on your behalf. proxycaller.org

Retreat will be back at @torontocomics.bsky.social this year at the Mattamy Centre at TMU. and we're raising funds to make the space even better. Please share, and donate if you can, even $5 makes a difference. #neurodiversity #accessibilityforall #tcaf2025 ko-fi.com/retreatndbre...

Everyone can communicate. But we need more research on communication & motor planning issues to develop best practices for people with communication disabilities. There are many useful forms of AAC, or Augmentative & Alternative Communication. thinkingautismguide.com/neurodiversi... #neurdiversity

www.midnightsunmag.ca/ritual-and-r... rad article @pipagaopoetry.bsky.social wrote about Crips for E Sims, Octavia Butler's Parabale novels, disabled and autistic organzing and the Myth of Real Organizers.

Retreat will be back at TCAF this year at the Mattamy Centre at TMU. and we're raising funds to make the space even better. Please share, and donate if you can. #neurodiversity #accessibilityforall ko-fi.com/retreatndbre...

“It is deeply subversive to live proudly despite being living embodiments of our culture’s long standing ethical failings.” —Maxfield Sparrow We reject neuronormativity and demand the right to learn differently.

Last call for your programming ideas! We want to bring your comics workshop, panel, or kid's activity to life at #TCAF2025. Submit your pitch by 11:59pm tonight. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

So happy to confirm that Retreat will be back at TCAF this year! Can't wait to see you there!

New research paper:| "Flow activities have far-reaching consequences for autistic wellbeing and should be encouraged, rather than prevented, when designing supportive environments" onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

"Games created a comfortable environment that broke down social walls & allowed players to connect meaningfully. This alleviated negative feelings attached to social interaction and eradicated the need to mask as they were in the company of other autistic people who shared a common interest."

I suggest anyone who is Autistic to familiarize yourself with POTS. They are co-occurring.

My new book ‘The Young Person’s Guide to Autistic Burnout’ is available for pre order on Amazon. Illustrated by my amazing son Josh. It’s released Summer 25. www.amazon.co.uk/Young-Person...

Our Welcome Packets for newly recognized and diagnosed autistic people and parents and caregivers of newly diagnosed autistic children are free to download on our website and available in Spanish, plain language, and English language versions. awnnetwork.org/awn-paquetes...

On Interdependence: "As a parent I don’t want to stunt my Autistic child’s growth by assuming she can’t do things. I also don’t want her to feel like I don’t understand the very real struggle & pain she experiences when the demands of her life exceed her capacity." aane.org/autism-info-... #autism

Autistic adult with no resources or support?? We are using our voices collectively to try to get the support and therapies/awareness/accomodations we may need! It won’t be fast but, I encourage you to add your voice with ours! Over 3k folk bit.ly/Aut2ask bit.ly/Aut2ask #autism #autistic

Important discussion group this Saturday with @autisticjoy.bsky.social cherylrettig.ca/book-a-sessi...

For more, see the open access article: elifesciences.org/articles/102...

You don’t have to conquer the world today. Just take one step, one moment, one breath. THAT IS ENOUGH. Small victories are still victories. Keep moving forward. 🛡️✨

Highly recommend this read for a deep dive into the subject of #AutisticMasking written by two #ActuallyAutistic researchers and experts on the subject. #GoodReads #Neurodivergent #Autistic #AuDHD

I'm hosting a free discussion circle for queer autistic adults next week where we will be discussing the concept of MASKING in a queer and autistic context www.theautisticcoach.com/autism-discu...

Paige Thomas, 25, from Penkridge, always found it difficult to meet people’s gaze – until she trained herself to stare them down like a bald eagle. thedailytism.com/woman-makes-...

This is why we emphasize that Retreat isn't simply a quiet or sensory room. It is a place to stim freely around other neurodivergent folk who get it.

Today’s blog is a self-plug. I queued it before I was aware of the Amazon strike so please, if you purchase from me, use one of the non-Amazon platforms listed. resiliencymentalhealth.com/2024/11/29/i...

"@Aut2Ask is doing important and necessary work by increasing the visibility of the neurodivergent population in an effort to stop the suffering and degradation of being "othered" with no resources and no life line" - Psychiatric Nurse Learn more and join us: bit.ly/Aut2ask bit.ly/Aut2ask

HEY YOU, ADHD WARRIOR! Let me tell you right now: YOU’RE NOT LAZY. You’re battling a world not built for your mind, and you’re still here, still fighting. THAT is strength. Keep pushing, legend. ✊⚡ #ADHD #ADHDer #ADHDlife

Self care is punk Self care is punk Healthcare and welfare and well-share is punk —pink suits With quotes from a couple of our favorite neurodivergent self-care books.

Despite her belated diagnosis, Walker has already begun to find autistic community. “She’s been in touch with a group of fellow late-diagnosed women. And a boy who’s nearly 12,” Wilkins said. thedailytism.com/better-late-...

Why it can be so hard for parents to find good autism info: "From refrigerator moms to extreme male brain theory to ABA therapy, the world of conventional medicine has frequently been as wrong about autism as the outright quacks." Emily Paige Ballou, at TPGA: thinkingautismguide.com/2024/11/what...

This @thelocal.to story about the Doug Ford govt's forced shutdown of the Ontario Science Centre is a gut punch. Not because it shows the loss of a community space, countless lost livelihoods, or unreasonable decision-making. But because we didn't do anything to stop it. thelocal.to/ontario-scie...