Thread by @katefoxwriter

Since diagnosis with an ASC I’ve realised there are dozens of situations where it would be helpful to have this taken into account

But almost no situations where it would be better to be misunderstood due to current deep ignorance of autism

So mostly I don’t disclose

I’m still reeling from when the Head of a school for mostly autistic kids told me to my face she doesn’t have autistic teachers because they’d lack emotional self regulation-& autistic governors would find the job too hard

I’d just run a comedy workshop in her school

A school regarded as a peak of enlightenment in autismworld. It was full of bright lights & loud bells. I was in some sensory overload but had coped well running a workshop for 10 kids I’d never met

Coping well is my thing. The thing of many folk with an ASC. We have to

But I realised then, that even people who think they’re experts on autism are often expert in a particular type of person at a particular stage & translate all its “challenges” to everyone.

At the eye hospital I was going to mention it-then saw a poster saying autistic folk

Might be violent, or not understand what was going on-& thought that disclosure might not ease my appointment...

#puppetgate has confirmed there’s so much misunderstanding. I’m used to trying to tackle prejudice with openness but the sheer ignorance feels too great

I’m a writer, performer and facilitator. A big part of my currency/capital comes in my ability to connect with people & empathise.

I feel selfish for being reluctant to disclose something that most people still think means I lack those skills

Selfish because #puppetgate has confirmed how great the gap between the realities of autistic people & the way we’re perceived & represented.

I’m good at communicating. It’s literally my job. I should be able to do this stuff-but flippin eck it’s hard work.

I know this thread (rant) should end on a hopeful note-& I do believe autism prejudice stems from dying paradigms-but it’ll take at least a generation to be in a better place

Though autistic activists inspire me every day. & lots of people need them (us) to speak up now