Autistic people are being tortured in the US, and you can help stop it. — As an Artfully Autistic reader, you may already be aware of the #StopTheShock movement, which has been working to stop the atrocious treatment of autistic and otherwise disabled people at the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC) in Massachusetts. …

A shift among advocates reflects the view that autism is simply another neurotype — not a disease to be cured. — Originally published by The Progressive BY MEG HARTLEY, APRIL 28, 2023 2:54 PM While Autism Awareness Month may have started with good intentions, every April my autism support groups are flooded with upset reactions to Autism Awareness posts. While these posts mean well, because society’s conditioned people to beware of…

My support pup saved me from an isolated-vacuum of a lifestyle, could one help you too? —

For two decades, a Massachusetts school has been under fire for torturing disabled students with shock devices. Now, activist efforts to end the practice may soon pay off. — Originally published by The Progressive BY MEG HARTLEY FEBRUARY 1, 2023, 6:00 AM In the mid-90s, around the age of eleven, I saw a television show on PBS about old asylums that would do horrifying things to people society deemed insane. …

The government has one more chance to stop the torture this year — but they need pressuring, NOW. *UPDATE* Hooray! The omnibus bill with a provision that gives the FDA the right to ban contingent electric shocks used for behavior modification was passed — but the fight’s not over. The…

There’s a knowledge gap, and it needs to be filled. — There’s a divide of understanding within the autistic community, one that can get quite contentious online: autistic adults and parents of autistic children. …

I’ve yet to reach thriving, but I’m sure working on it. — Next month will be two years since I was diagnosed with autism at 37 years old. I’d spent the prior three months going through the self-diagnosis process, every night I was plagued with the truth of experiences I’d reframed with delusional optimism, lied to myself about, or full-out repressed altogether…

A lil’ wisdom gained the hard way. — Professional communication isn’t a breeze for most people, but when it’s between a group of people who are neurotypical and you’re neurodivergent, the potential for misunderstandings and struggle get even trickier. It can be really defeating to get through the doors that often hamper NDs and other spoonies from success…

Please join the #StopTheShock movement to help end the abuse. — *UPDATE, 9/22: Another way to help is by reaching out to your two Senators. Ask them to pass the current version of the bill, the FDA Safety and Landmark Advancements Act, with the amendment banning electric shocks for behavior modification included.* Since being diagnosed as autistic in 2020, I’ve had…