Posts
May Newsletter: APIDA Heritage Month
Dear Friend, Welcome to Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month. As a queer physically disabled Korean transracial and transnational adoptee raised in the Caribbean, this month is both important to me, and challenging,…
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Changelings and the Folk History of Autism
For hundreds of years, children with autistic and neurodivergent traits were often believed to be “changelings,” children swapped at birth for evil fairies or other monsters. Looking back at this folklore can uncover the roots of modern ableism, as well as show us how autism and neurodivergence has always existed. Kayley Whalen traveled to Ireland to create a video about changeling folklore, adapted into this blog.
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April Newsletter: Fighting Back for Trans Rights
AWN is fighting new legislation and regulations intended to harm trans people. These anti-trans policies are often combined with ableism and racism. Georgia’s SB 140 references higher rates of autism amongst transgender people as a reason to deny gender-affirming care. In this newsletter, our Policy Manager Elio McCabe provides resources for you to stay informed, take action, and support AWN in the fight.
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Sensory and Communication Tools Deserve Respect
No one deserves to be mocked or punished for using sensory or communication tools. Stim toys, noise-canceling headphones, or other tools should never be withheld from a child or adult just because other people might ridicule them for it. Instead, let’s hold society accountable for ableism.
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Una mujer autista habla como sobreviviente de agresión sexual
Abril es el Mes de la Concientización sobre la Agresión Sexual. Como sobreviviente de agresión sexual y latina autista discapacitada entiendo a un nivel muy personal las conexiones entre la discriminación que enfrentan mis comunidades y cómo eso vulnera a personas como yo haciéndolas más susceptibles a la agresión sexual.
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An Autistic Woman’s Experience with Sexual Assault
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Being a sexual assault survivor and disabled autistic Latina means I understand at a very personal level the connections between the discrimination my communities face, and how that makes people like me more vulnerable to sexual assault.
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Support Language Justice and Autism Acceptance!
This April, AWN is hoping to raise $6,000 to support the release of the forthcoming book A Neurodiversity and Gentle Parenting Journey…in Color by Morénike Giwa Onaiwu
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AWN & APOC Fund Statement on the March 27, 2023, Nashville Shooting
We acknowledge the pain, suffering, and trauma that the victims’ family, friends, and colleagues, as well as community members, are experiencing. At the same time, AWN and the Autistic People of Color Fund unequivocally condemn bigoted and hateful remarks about the shooter’s gender identity as a trans man and its purported relationship to his violent acts
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AWN March Newsletter
On March 30, we’ll be celebrating the two year anniversary of the release of AWN’s book Sincerely, Your Autistic Child. The book has now sold over 21,000 copies in paperback, eBook, and audiobook formats!
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February Newsletter
Earlier this month, AWN leadership helped to consult on the highly acclaimed autism-focused episode of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder reboot that recently aired on Disney+. The episode, which was intentionally released in February, has been praised broadly for its thoughtful portrayal of a Black family with affirming parents of a newly diagnosed autistic child.
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Celebrating Black Trans Resistance
For Black History Month, we’re celebrating Black Trans Resistance by releasing an infographic series on the experiences of Black trans people with discrimination, acceptance, and joy. Join us this month in amplifying issues crucial to Black trans communities and uplifting Black trans-led organizations by sharing these graphics and blog post
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AWN & APOC Fund Statement on the Murder of Tyre Nichols
AWN condemns the anti-Black, white-supremacist systems and practices that caused Tyre Nichols’s untimely death. Policing in the United States is based on fear, violence, and the systemic subjugation of marginalized people, including Black and Brown people, disabled people, and LGBTQ people.
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