“Deej” is a remarkable film about autism, family, the presumption of competence and the right of each individual to access communication and to be included in our schools and communities. Directed by Robert Rooy, the film follows DJ Savarese, who is autistic and nonspeaking. When we first meet DJ, he is a student attending mainstream […]
Justice for DJ
For DJ, an 8 year old autistic boy, being yelled at and having his iPad taken away triggered a meltdown. But what started as a meltdown ended as a criminal battery charge for DJ when he hit his special education teacher. While DJ knows hitting is wrong, he is just an 8 year old boy […]
‘Keep The Change’ Is The Movie The Autistic Community Has Long Been Waiting For
![[COURTESY OF KEEP THE CHANGE] - image shows the two lead actors from behind as they walk down the boardwalk holding hands.](https://awnnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Keep-the-change-movie-150x150.jpg)
Keep the Change is a heartwarming love story between two autistic adults played by no other than autistic actors. The film is cozy and funny without shying away from the reality of being autistic in a neurotypical world. It’s the movie the community has long been waiting for. Set in New York City, a romance […]
Another Autism Awareness Month is Almost Here. Yay
I’m aware. I’m aware that the way that I am is considered “disordered” and wrong. That people expose laboratory mice to infections in order to try to recreate the way I naturally am. In their efforts to “help” me to be something I’m not. I’m aware. Very aware. I’m aware that an invisible caste system […]
Don’t Count on Stereotypes
At age sixteen, I sat in the backseat of my parents’ car, doing sums in my head. I pictured the numbers being written out on the back of the seat in front of me. Why was I doing arithmetic when I would rather daydream? Because I thought that “real” autistic people would amuse themselves by […]
Real Independence
Most people believe that the only valuable life achievement of a disabled person like me (non-speaking Autistic with high support needs) is “to be independent”. I already wrote about how the concept of independence is ableist. In short, it is not our ability to live by ourselves, or to care for ourselves that makes us […]
AWN Urges Media Caution When Reporting On Parkland Florida School Shooting
AWN urges caution when speculating about any mental health diagnosis of the shooter in the recent Florida tragedy. News outlets have already begun speculating about the shooter’s possible links to mental health. We especially implore the media to resist their usual patterns of stereotyping people with disabilities when these kinds of killings occur. People with […]
To My Preteen Self
Original post for Autistics Speaking Day by C.L. Bridge Dear eleven-year-old me, Hello from the future! There are so many things I want to tell you. But first, I suppose I should explain what Autistics Speaking Day is, and why I chose to write to you on this day. For you, it’s 2003. Autistics Speaking […]
Parenting and Advocating With Autistic Children
Parents of Autistic children have to learn how to advocate for supports in school, in the community, and even at home. This is not something that gets done after a few hours, or a few days. It begins with the diagnosis and it can last a lifetime. Fighting for supports is like a very long […]
Autistic Representation Needs Autistic Voices
Hollywood loves talking about autism but refuses to talk to Autistics. When a new show or movie with an Autistic character airs, writers, directors and producers pat themselves on the back because they are so proud of their “indispensable” view that will help to “shed light and raise awareness about the disorder”. To them I […]