Happy Autism Acceptance Month! Hafgrim the iconic Viking is autistic, just as I the blog runner am myself.
Hafgrim's special interests:
Cake making and decorating
Martial combat techniques
Hafgrim is very habitual with his drinking, having a mug of ale or mead with every meal, three meals a day. He is unable to look anyone in the eyes unless absolutely necessary, his demeanor leans toward diplomatic and sympathetic, and he's a very strong empath, to the point it overwhelms him whenever anyone feels any emotion regardless of what it is. Hafgrim cries easily, has a very high pain tolerance, and has grown to become stoic in handling himself because it's the only way he knows how to cope. Hafgrim can't handle large crowds very well unless he knows the people well, and he enjoys solitary time with his brother and son more than socializing.
These are traits based on myself. I am very habitual and routine based, completely stalwart in what order I do things, I always have at least one hyperfixation, but usually a few at one time, I struggle to make eye contact, I'm hyper-empathetic, have rejection sensitivity, and am keenly attuned to others' emotions, and social settings are very difficult, nearly impossible, for myself, and when stressed I'll often go mute. And most obviously, I stim. CONSTANTLY!!
I'd like to remind you all, however, that autism presents itself in multiple different ways. These are neither the only nor the predominant traits autistic people possess. Some autistics struggle with or outright don't have the capacity for empathy, others are very outgoing and social, others are selectively mute or entirely mute, and there are literally hundreds upon thousands of other traits notable in autistic people. Some of us have lots of them, some of us have only a few, some have all, but nonetheless we're all autistic regardless of the number of traits we have.
Some things to note about autism:
It is not a disease. The word "disease" associates a negative connotation with autism, but autism does not harm anything or anyone. Calling it a disease enables neurotypicals, aka people who aren't autistic, to pity us, thus seeing us as lesser than themselves. We are not lesser. We are different.
It's necessary to accept, not correct or cure autism. Many autistic people don't want a cure, we just want to be accepted. Again, autism does not hurt the individual, or anyone else, and therefore, it doesn't need to be "fixed" or eliminated.
Advocating for ABA therapy, or "applied behavior analysis" therapy, is actively destructive to autistic people, and enables trauma. ABA seeks to erase harmless things like stimming (blinking, clicking teeth, rocking, pen clicking, etc.), and force eye contact during conversation. Stimming is a form of coping, and one which, again, harms nothing and nobody. Tearing away coping mechanisms and then forcing scared people into situations and environments that are highly uncomfortable without any known way to handle the fear, is damaging and traumatizing. Autistic people do not handle stress and fear the way neurotypicals do, nor can we comprehend the emotions the way they can, and thus, we need to stim. Stop advocating for and funding ABA.
Using person-first language is demeaning to autistic people. Autism is seen as a defining trait for the majority of us, because, as I said, it isn't a disease, nor is it debilitating. Neurotypicals view autism negatively, and thus often say, "people with autism" instead of "autistic people", and tell us that autism doesn't define us. But it's like telling somebody, "Instead of saying you're a kind person, say you're a person with kindness." Personality traits define who we are, and autism is a personality trait conglomerated from multiple other habits and traits. Thus, it does define us. So please, do not use person-first language.
Autism Speaks is a damaging and irreparable organization that seeks to destroy autism. They have claimed that autism is a malevolent, silent killer. Spokesperson Suzanne Wright resigned after claiming on behalf of all the organization that parents cannot connect with their autistic children because autistic people are out of touch with the world and reality. There's a ton more out there, including how the current board as of 2021 consists of only 1 autistic person, but you can research this for yourself if you'd like.
The blue puzzle piece, and colorful puzzle piece, are harmful because they are associated with Autism Speaks. There has been a major push toward using a rainbow infinity symbol instead. But because the puzzle piece has been associated with AS, please do not use it at all for any reason!!!!
There's plenty you can do do advocate for autistic people in a positive way, including educating yourself through and donating to:
Autism self advocacy network - Run by and for autistic people, and for families with autistic children.
Autistic women and nonbinary network (AWN) - Inclusive autistic resources for trans people of all genders.
If you (especially if you're autistic yourself) have any additional resources, please feel free to add to the list yourself!
