Thread by @mariliacout

1/ I invite you all to report this individual who, due to the nature of his insults, could reasonably be charged with several legal wrongdoings.
First, it is cruel and pathetic to pick one episode in which Gretta looks distraught to characterize her.

#GretaThunberg
#Autism

2/ As you can see, she is perfectly articulated and comfortable speaking to wide audiences. Few people at her age are.

3/ Autism is a syndrome of conditions more than a disorder, although it is still considered one. There are people in the autism spectrum who have impediments to a functional social life, including academic life.

4/ Like my father, I am a person in the autistic spectrum. We are what is know as "functional autistic adults". Speaking to audiences is actually quite easy. Interpreting facial expressions or indirect speech in personal interaction, not so much.

5/ Many of the world's brightest minds shared our condition. We may not be the greatest "people's persons" but many of us get the job done better than anyone else. Gretta seems to handle people better than most of us, actually.

6/ It is upsetting to read these right-wing provocateurs promoting a negative view of autistic people. I've heard it all: that autistic people are the cause of mass shootings, that we are manipulable and worse.

7/ Rationally, I think these people should be punished. Even more rationally, I see the need for more public education about autism. Personally, it really doesn't hurt.

8/ Among functional autistic adults, empathy is complex. There are studies pointing to extreme (and painful) levels of empathy and also unempathetic responses (especially because of the difficulty with indirect speech and facial expressions).

9/ I don't know Gretta personally. I believe she was expecting the right-wing to attack her. In a sense, she is far more rational than other 15 year olds. They are not going to disturb her.

@threadreaderapp unroll