Hey NT writers,
If you watched Rain Man or read a book from 1972 that inspired you to write about that autistic toddler who finally spoke or that one kid you met at school or your coworkers nephew, just don't.
1/5

If you're truly interested in converting stigma and stereotype into impowering stories and human characters, #actuallyautistic people are more than happy to give you insight so that maybe one day an autistic child can not feel like y'all hate them.
2/5

That also being said, it you've never listened to any diverse autistic experiences or read an #ownvoices book (or 12), don't pick up the pen or hit the keyboard.
We need allies, not shame.
We have feelings and you're fueling trauma and misinterpretation.
3/5

Ask yourself: If this story was written about me, would my parent have let me read it? Would my classmates laugh/bully/pity me? Would people expect more when it took everything I had to make them happy by achieving one ableist ass standard? Would I be devalued or gaslit?
4/5

Need a place to start? Read @diversebooks, browse @ZOOMAutism, check your bias with @saltandsagebook

You don't have to listen to any one person, but for f*cks sake please at least ATTEMPT to check your bias.
Trust me, we know y'all don't understand
5/5

While we're at it, check out blogs like @NeuroClastic and @AutismHwb
Champion nonverbal voices w/ @ekverstania. Support @awnnetwork_ & @Autism
Reach out to autistic parents & teachers. Scroll through #askingautistics
Educate yourself on wrongfully incarcerated autistic minorities