Reimagining Disability, Part Two: Supporting the Full Spectrum of Autistic Experiences While Addressing Systemic Neglect

A Response to "I am Autistic, I am not Disabled"

As a late-diagnosed autistic adult, a person in recovery, a trauma survivor, a systemic neglect survivor, a suicide survivor, and a systems designer committed to creating inclusive frameworks, I have experienced firsthand the pain of being misunderstood, excluded, and left without support. These identities and experiences shape not only my perspective but also my deep commitment to advocating for meaningful change within the autistic community.

Since releasing my last article on, “I am Autistic, Not Disabled” reimagining disability and neurodivergence, I’ve received a range of responses—some supportive, and others more critical. One particular reaction stood out: a parent of a high support needs autistic person voiced strong objections to my reflections, interpreting them as an attempt to redefine disability for the entire autistic community. This response not only dismissed my own lived experience but also activated old wounds of being aggressively attacked for my perspectives and my …