Thread by @LucyPedrick

The world is so surprised to see an Autistic young person who doesn’t look like the stereotyped, young, white, Anglo-American boy that they’re used to seeing in public.

The level of ignorance is legitimately astounding.

Some thoughts about Greta Thunberg 1/

One of the most common comments about Greta is that she looks uncomfortable (to non-Autistic eyes) when she speaks, that she moves around a lot, and that she’s almost obsessively focussed on her mission to spur the world into action on the climate. 2/

But consider this.

One of the relatively well known traits of being Autistic - which is generally repressed early - is that some of us have obsessive interests that we like to talk about.

A LOT. 3/

When I have the opportunity to speak, at length, and in detail, about something I care about and know a lot about - especially with an engaged audience - I don’t experience discomfort.

I experience a kind of euphoric joy, that often lasts for hours. 4/

When I was about 13, I was giving relatively regular solo talks about my primary interest - human trafficking - to audiences of a range of sizes.

I might have a twinge or nerves before I stepped out, but as soon as I opened my mouth it was like flying. 5/

I was hooked - and have sought out that euphoria around everything I’m passionate about ever since. From feminism, to constitutional law, to bisexuality and being autistic. It’s incredible. Some of this has informed my career. 6/

So why am I telling you this?

I want to challenge the idea that Greta must be uncomfortable because she looks, moves and sounds different than most non-Autistic people are used to. 7/

She may speak with a different vocal tone

Move her hands around, freely, a lot

And flick her eyes, like she doesn’t know where to focus them

These are all well known autistic traits. 8/

She may *look* uncomfortable to you, but that doesn’t mean she is.

This is Greta’s mission. A mission that she doesn’t just care about - she knows a great deal about - perhaps even an ‘obsessive’ amount. 9/

I may have learned in theatre training to project my voice clearly, to look above the audience rather than at them

I may move to the rhythm of my words, and with my feet more than my hands 10/

But my audiences have generally been 100s rather than billions.

Billions of people scrutinising not just her words, but her style. Turning that scrutiny into horrific abuse.

Would that make you uncomfortable? 11/

It would me. And it likely does her too.

So why on earth does she keep doing it?

My theory?

Her euphoric joy from this work is so strong that it overpowers even the most violent, bitter, global abuse. 12/

Being Autistic isn’t Greta’s weakness.

It’s her superpower.

13/13

It’s what she says too.

https://twitter.com/gretathunberg/status/1167916177927991296?s=21