Autistic Grandparents. What we know about them would arguably fit comfortably on the back of a postage stamp, in a very large font. Why? Because we were looking for young white boys with high support needs, for decade after decade. The NHS survey of half of its GPs was an eye opener. Results here: https://lnkd.in/eu62tg-f . I want to look at two figures: The figure of 18-24 yr olds (male). 37,000-ish who don't also have a learning disability. Another 7500-ish who do also have a learning disability. Now, our reminder that autistic people are autistic for life. It's a different brain design, from birth. So, we're going to find that same number all the way up the age ranges, yes? [Adjusted for deaths later in life of course] Nope. By age 65-74, the first 'pensioner years', our figures are less than 800 autistic people without a learning disability, and nearly 500 with a learning disability. So, we've only found 1 in every 35 autistic people in that age group, probably. Many of them likely diagnosed because they also had a learning disability, hence the bigger proportion who have both things. It's a lot worse in the over 75s. Hardly anyone identified. Our GPs, hospitals, communities, etc haven't the slightest idea that 34 out of every 35 older autistic people are unidentified as yet. Which brings us back to autistic grandparents. Perhaps 34 out of every 35 not yet identified. Probably doing a fantastic job as a grandparent, too, and bringing so much to community and family life. That typical autistic integrity, attention to detail, dedication, deep knowledge, checking safety, honesty, etc. On e.g. Google Scholar, nearly a million research papers for the search term 'autistic'. One, for the search term 'autistic grandparent'. And that only mentions it in passing. One. We know nothing about their lives, in research terms. Our autism research industries are a mess, aren't they. #AutisticElders | 10 comments on LinkedIn

I’m evolving Autastic in 2026 💪🏽. Your OG Autistic Auntie bushwhacked the damn path alongside the handful of advocates dedicated enough to autistic liberation to endure being spit-roasted in the ableist social media dumpster fire that was the early 2020’s to come back breathing flames. Now it’s time to clear the next road ahead. Autastic’s doors are unfurling as a platform for autistic advocates and individuals to come together in service of our Black, Indigenous, and all autistic people of color. No longer will you hear my voice alone—we are legion and we roll on #AutisticTime. Want in? DM. We will abide no social norm, no ableist standard, no metric nor measurement, nor a single well-meaning advice-giver coming in hot with their with ‘shoulds’. We done lived an entire life by y’all’s demands. It’s our turn now. Like it or don’t, we gonna do what we do. Get ready. Follow The Reframe from Autastic to ride with us. —DJW https://autasticreframe.substack.com/

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Autastic's BIPOC Social Club is by and for all adult-identified and questioning autistic BIPOC. Join an affirming, melanin-adorned space to connect, share, and belong.