Changeling: The Ongoing Journey of an Aspie: Favorites / Resources

Favorite Resources on Autism

Please note that these resources are my own personal favorites. I put them up not as an expert on Autism, but to share what has helped and educated me as I proceed along this journey.

Organizations

I feel it's important to note that I boycott Autism Speaks. This organization has done more in the name of Autism and Autism research to misinform the public, vilify autistic people, and contribute to the generally ignorant views people have about Autistics. Their failure to recognize Autism as a form of neurodiversity is insulting, and their research and fear-mongering for a cure border on genocide. Check out this article to see how who they are and what they do gives reason to label them a "hate" group.

#BoycottAutismSpeaks

#AutismSpeaksdoesnotspeakforme

Here are some of the organizations I do like:

Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN)

This organization's motto "Nothing about us without us" is at the heart of the organization's purpose: namely to empower Autistics and other neurodivergent and/or disabled people in policy and cultural change. Their Twitter feed (@autselfadvocacy) is a great source for current movements in legislature, insurance, and cultural/societal aspects of the disability community. I have contributed to fundraising campaigns a couple of times for them on Facebook, and I love that they are giving us a voice.

Books

The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Tony Attwood

This is the book that helped me with my diagnosis. By the time I finished highlighting and putting post-its throughout the book, I had a reasonable body of evidence to seek a diagnosis. I recommend it to anyone looking to do the same.

Aspergirls by Rudy Simone

If you're a woman on the Spectrum, struggling to see where you fit into your diagnosis, you should check out this book. Rudy Simone was years ahead of the viewpoints on female autism that are just now beginning to become prevalent.

Successful to Burnt Out: Experiences of women on the Autism Spectrum by Karletta Abianac

This book did more than anything else to help me accept my diagnosis. A helpful validation for autistic women who don't understand why they "can't even".

Movies/TV Shows/Documentaries

Community: Abed

This show is cult classic material (mostly because few people I try to talk to about it seem to have ever even heard of it). Abed Nadir, "the Undiagnosable" possibly-on-the-spectrum lover of movies and speaker of pop culture references, is one of the best reasons to watch this show. Many autists feel he portrays us in a much better light than the portrayal of Sheldon in the Big Bang Theory. Many have even gone as far as to say that Sheldon is how allistic people view us, while Abed is more like how we view ourselves. I would have to agree.

Bones: Temperance Brennan

While never expressly stated, many fans agree that forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (aka - 'Bones') is autistic (Asperger's). The evidence of characteristics is too large and subtle to enumerate here (I'll have to do a post about it), but even if she isn't, it's a great series. Furthermore, it's a great study on savantism, as most of the characters seem to display such talents and skills as could place them somewhere on the Spectrum.

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries: Beatrice Mason

This show is wonderful for a number of reasons, not the least being that it satisfies one of my special interests: historical costume. The Roaring '20s is one of my favorite time periods, and I loved seeing a historical '20s Australia, something rare here in the States. So imagine my surprise to see an autistic character pop up. By now, I shouldn't be, but you rarely see portrayals of historical characters who are autistic. TV and movies often feel the need to broadcast "autistic-ness" of a character. How can you do that in a time period when such a diagnosis didn't even exist? If the episode in which one appears on MFMM is any indicator, the answer is: well. Beatrice Mason is actually one of the better portrayals of an autistic character (especially a woman) that I've ever seen.

I will do my own post on this episode at another time, but for now, I agree with what this writer had to say on the subject: https://autisticsspeakingday.blogspot.com/2013/11/autism-on-tv-isnt-always-done-wrong.html

Elementary: Fiona Helbron

The most remarkable thing about Sherlock's only real "girlfriend" to this point is how comfortable in her own skin she is as an autist. This is a great revelation for explicitly "out" autistic characters (which is to say that it is stated outright that she is autistic). Often, when a character is revealed to be autistic, the focus is on how difficult life is for them, and they are rarely given a voice to say whether they like their state of being or not. It is assumed that they must hate being autistic if they are "aware" of their autism at all. Fiona is perfectly comfortable and thankful for the gifts being autistic has given her, and she successfully manages her challenges. She is a fully-formed human being with wants, needs, self-awareness, accountability, and agency, as shown by her initiation of the sexual aspect of her relationship with Sherlock.