Thank you so much!

Hi, I don't know you but I deeply agree with what you've shared and it is SO well-written.
I'm wondering if you might be ok with me translating this (will credit your original post link) and share it on my blog?
It is rare I see this topic this well said and exactly how I feel.
Thank you so much.

Why even adopt the categories of an ableist society who wants us to not exist?

That low functioning label is more likely to put a target on your forehead. It's not a golden ticket to accommodations.

And other autistic people are not your enemy.

Allowing neurotypicals to divide us into the useful and the burdensome is not the answer.

Even for people who are high masking, one episode of autistic burnout can move you from the first category to the second one.

The real question is, how can we best support one another?

How can we speak up for one another while ensuring that we are not speaking over anyone?

How do we ensure that everyone's needs are met?

The lack of accommodations isn't caused by other autistic people having less support needs than you.

It comes from an ableist society who sees our existence as a burden. Who sees our lives as not worth living.

It's not fun having to exist within this tension, and I don't see any easy solutions.

However, I very much think that dividing up the autistic community is not the answer.

We need one another.

So, I understand the tension within the community.

Autism is a disability, and we need accommodations to survive.

At the same time, pathologizing autism may lead to society murdering us.

The neurodiversity paradigm isn't just some feel-good liberal nonsense.

The need to depathologize differences comes from living in a society where differences can be deadly.

What society do you live in? That would be like, "Oh, you're one of the real autistics? Here, have all the accomodations."

Because I live in a fascist hellscape that fucking hates disabled people.

For the people in the second group, the societal solution is rarely accomodations and support.

The solution is more often eugenics and extermination.

Throughout the modern history of autism, there has been one constant theme. The need for neurotypicals to divide autistic people into two groups.

1. Those who can be exploited by capitalism.

2. Those who cannot.

At the same time, I think the autistic people who want functioning labels are incredibly naive. (I don't care what the neurotypicals think)

Functioning labels are unlikely to bring real accommodations.

That doesn't mean it's all bad, though. I like who I am, and I wouldn't be who I am without autism.

Like everything in life, there are good points and bad points.

I also see this tension happen when someone tries to put a positive spin on autistic behaviors only to have another person respond that autism has caused them nothing but pain.

The thing is, I don't disagree with either perspective.

No worries Ivy :) If you need feel free to talk to me any time :)
&&& GOOD LUCK for querying, waiting for good news for/with you :)

Can't wait for your YA romance too... I don't know if it's impolite to say so (?) but if you ever need beta reader or anything like that I would be very honoured to help you!!! (Your YA romance looks exactly like something I would enjoy reading ^^ AND autistic characters?!!! 🌻🌻🌻✨✨✨)

Hi Ivy thank you so much :))))) I will take a look after work 🥹
Also I'm just sooooo happy for all the full requests 💖 I read about your work and I hope I will be able to read it soon ☺️🌻