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Guide for neurotypicals writing about autism: first of all, consult autistic people. I guarantee 100% you will get it wrong if you don’t. Even autistic people who are new to writing about autism fuck it up. I certainly did when I first opened my big gob 1/
Even better, if you have the opportunity to pass the mic to an autistic colleague or freelancer, do. If that’s not possible, then here are a few tips for free: 2/
Most autistic adults prefer to say “autistic person” rather than “person with autism”. This isn’t true of everyone but if you’re generalising, it’s best to revert to the former. If you’re talking about a specific individual, ask for their preference. Fuck your style guide. 3/
Functioning labels (eg high-functioning & low-functioning autism) sound medical but they’re generally harmful, bullshit terms that don’t actually tell you anything about an autistic person & their support needs. I used them at first too & I wish I hadn’t 4/
Don’t rely on parents of autistic people & autism specialists as your sources. Nothing beats lived experience. Stop talking ABOUT us. Talk TO us. We don’t bite. At least not hard. 5/
Before you promote an autism professional or organisation, check that they’re not problematic as fuck. A surprising number of them are. Quote Autism $peaks & instantly lose any & all credibility. 6/
Don’t use meltdown and tantrum interchangeably, even if you’re not writing about an autistic person. They’re very much not the same thing. 7/
Stop using terms like “special needs” or “differently abled” or “diffability” 
You can say disabled. It’s not an insult. 8/
You can say disabled. It’s not an insult. 8/
If you get it wrong, and you will, don’t double down. Just say sorry, correct your mistake and everyone will be cool again. That’s all it takes. We tend to be a reasonable, forgiving bunch, as a community. 9/
And, because it’s already happened once in this thread and I don’t care for it, if you’re neurotypical & you take exception to being called neurotypical, sit the fuck down, you’re being ridiculous. End/
Oh wait I’ve thought of a couple more things - we don’t live with autism or suffer from autism. We suffer from dickheads. Also several non-speaking people have made it known to me that they prefer non-speaking to non-verbal but if I’m wrong please correct me.
