Thread by @helenrottier

Pulling some important quotes from (thesis-related) close reading of the @autselfadvocacy Navigating College handbook. #AutisticsInAcademia #helenreads

“Remember one thing: You made it to college because you have potential. You are in college because you demonstrated capability to get here.” -Samantha April Davis, Worth

“Consider applying to the disability office under a related condition, such as anxiety.” -Samantha April Davis, Self Accommodation

This is crucial for people who are self-dx and/or don’t have current documentation of certain disabilities.

“...leave the area that’s bothering you... your comfort is more important than whatever brought you there. Take the time to take care of yourself. The party will be there when you get back.” - Alexander Eveleth, Sensory Regulation

And a perennial favorite, @headphones_zoe’s entire section, Better Living Through Prosthetic Brain Parts. I’m adapting this section to create an activity for my students about tools for success.

@headphones_zoe I'm out of order, per usual... bear with me because these are all important. #CrippingReading #AcademicTwitter #AutisticsInAcademia

@headphones_zoe The key to @aneeman's introduction: "[This book] is written by Autistic people ourselves, rather than professionals or family members. This distinction is key- we know our own needs better than those who speak for and to us." #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

@headphones_zoe @aneeman Another golden chapter is Amanda Vivan's Ableism Awareness: "... most people I know are aware that autism exists. A lot of people don't even know the word ableism or have an understanding of the concept." #AcademicAbleism #AbleismAwareness

@headphones_zoe @aneeman On visible/invisible disabilities: "Someone who is not aware of issues of disability will probably misjudge wheelchair users and nonspeaking people just as they misjudge the disabled people whom they perceive as non-disabled." #AcademicAbleism #AbleismAwareness

@headphones_zoe @aneeman "In a movie where the villain is a ghost, sometimes the characters use special glasses to see the ghosts. In you life, ableism is the villain, and you need to equip yourself with 'glasses' to recognize it." #AcademicAbleism #AbleismAwareness

@headphones_zoe @aneeman "One of the biggest things that ableism goggles can give you is the ability to accept parts of yourself that you saw as unacceptable because you associated them with disability." #AcademicAbleism #AbleismAwareness

@headphones_zoe @aneeman Vivian's chapter on disclosure is similarly brilliant. "So you're in your psych class and the professor asks, 'Does anyone have a family member with autism?' You wonder, does 'self' count as a family member?" #AcademicAbleism #AutisticsInAcademia

@headphones_zoe @aneeman Vivian explains that professors, classmates, and friends may not know or may even forget that you are autistic and make insensitive, presumptive, or ableist comments. #AcademicAbleism #AutisticsInAcademia

@headphones_zoe @aneeman This, of course, is a consequence of the assumptions and attitudes towards disability/autism and higher education. People may say they "forget" you are autistic because you are so "smart/successful/'normal.'" #AcademicAbleism #AutisticsInAcademia

@headphones_zoe @aneeman People may not expect autistic people to be college students, graduate students, scholars, TAs, and professors because of the systemic barriers that exclude us and because of their assumptions and biases. #AcademicAbleism #AutisticsInAcademia

@headphones_zoe @aneeman Vivian proposes that the "awkward turtle" gesture become a universal response to the unwanted and uncomfortable comments. Since "awkward turtle" is similar to one of my stims, I agree! 🐢