The neurodiversity movement is born from the disability justice movement, and we need to be proud of being a part of that movement rather than moving away from it.

Neurodiversity is disability justice. Autistic pride is disability justice. Our joy is radical disability justice.

If we move away from the idea of neurodiversity as disabiity justice, then we move away from what makes real change, from what works, from what we need, from who we are.

Separating neurodivergence from disability is not a necessary part of having neurodivergent pride.

If we separate neurodivergence from disability, as a part of having 'pride' in our neurodivergence, we are buying into an ableist narrative over recognising our people, our community and our history. We're disabled and we're fucking brilliant and we should be proud of that.

I can't control whether or not you refer to yourself as disabled, but we WILL have this conversation. I've been here before, as the white gay movement pulled away from the radical queer movement, separated themselves out for straight comfort, and I won't just let it happen here.

Whether you like it or not, we are part of the disabled community, part of the disabled movement, and I'm not here to watch a repeat of what we saw with the queer community. Don't forget where we came from, who we are, and who stands (and sits) beside us.

It all boils down to this: being disabled is not an inherently bad thing. Being disabled is not an insult. If we want to separate ourselves from the concept of disability, then we must first ask: why the hell do we want to do that?

And if you can't come up with an answer that doesn't have roots in ableism, and isn't dripping with internalised ableism, or that doesn't maintain some sort of hierarchy, or that doesn't leave behind the disabled people who stand with us, then don't d it.

Autistic pride is disability pride.

Neurodivergent pride is disability pride.

Cutting ourselves away is to cut us off from our identity, our history, our strength, and the potential in our future.

Only through disability justice does neurodiversity truly succeed.