How can you be an Allistic Ally? (1/10)
1. When you find something that impacted you and helped you understand autistic people - whether it was a blog, podcast, or twitter thread written by an autistic person, Share it!
Not all of us are out as autistic, so sharing is vital!
1. When you find something that impacted you and helped you understand autistic people - whether it was a blog, podcast, or twitter thread written by an autistic person, Share it!
Not all of us are out as autistic, so sharing is vital!
2. Assume that autistic people exist in the spaces that you access. Don't make the assumption you will only interact with neurotypical people in certain spaces. Whatever job you work in, there's probably an autistic person working there (or many!).
3. Correct others if they make jokes about how certain people are being "awkward" or "weird." Remind them that people may interact differently and to possibly be more direct to the person they're interacting with if they want to be left alone or wanted to leave the interaction.
4. Especially during the holidays - let people know about autistic-run nonprofits and autistic-run businesses, and if a harmful organization comes up, make sure to tell them that it's not helpful to autistic people.
This is very important because most people don't know this.
This is very important because most people don't know this.
5. Stop yourself before you make assumptions about someone. If there's a child running around or being very loud, don't assume the parent is bad or the child has "behavioral issues." It's likely their needs aren't being met.
6. If you interact with someone & immediately have an emotional reaction to them when the entire exchange was something like "how are you?" or just a greeting - think about why. If you see them looking away from you but they're responding to you, don't assume they're uninterested
7. If someone's wearing headphones, playing on a Switch, wants to be away from the party for a few hours, or doesn't want to eat specific food you made - maybe consider that the person is not trying to be rude but needs to conserve their energy or has food sensitivities.
8. Provide other people with a new perspective on situations that are often prone to judgment.
For example, if your relative is telling someone to "pay attention" or to stop fidgeting, let your relative know that some people need to fidget, or look away, to emotionally regulate.
For example, if your relative is telling someone to "pay attention" or to stop fidgeting, let your relative know that some people need to fidget, or look away, to emotionally regulate.
9. Bust myths.
If autism comes up around the dinner table, let them know that these things are incorrect:
"Well everyone's a little bit on the spectrum"
Assuming autistic people can't interact with people or hold a conversation.
Assuming trans people/women/BIPOC can't be autistic
If autism comes up around the dinner table, let them know that these things are incorrect:
"Well everyone's a little bit on the spectrum"
Assuming autistic people can't interact with people or hold a conversation.
Assuming trans people/women/BIPOC can't be autistic
10. Be open about your own needs as an allistic person.
Don't do things that you aren't comfortable with, like eating spicy food that might upset your stomach, just because X person made it.
By advocating for your own needs, you're showing other people that it's okay to do so.
Don't do things that you aren't comfortable with, like eating spicy food that might upset your stomach, just because X person made it.
By advocating for your own needs, you're showing other people that it's okay to do so.
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