Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
@thinkingautism.com
The greatest autism info you will ever find, from autistic people, professionals, and parents. www.ThinkingAutism.com & buttondown.com/TPGA. Pro-neurodiversity. Even more TPGA community discussions on IG and FB.
FYI we will not be publishing our newsletter this week because we are on vacation. Please enjoy this restaurant kitty in the meantime.
[image: dark gray cat lounging on a restaurant patio in front of blue agaves.]
[image: dark gray cat lounging on a restaurant patio in front of blue agaves.]
November 10, 2025 at 4:46 PM
FYI we will not be publishing our newsletter this week because we are on vacation. Please enjoy this restaurant kitty in the meantime.
[image: dark gray cat lounging on a restaurant patio in front of blue agaves.]
[image: dark gray cat lounging on a restaurant patio in front of blue agaves.]
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
ICE agents in Chicago violently detain a non verbal autistic man for being “non compliant”
He couldn’t “comply” because of his disability…they don’t care
This is not the first time they’ve gone after a disabled person
They target the most vulnerable because it’s an easy way to meet their quota
He couldn’t “comply” because of his disability…they don’t care
This is not the first time they’ve gone after a disabled person
They target the most vulnerable because it’s an easy way to meet their quota
November 8, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
WE ARE EVERYWHERE. :)
David Byrne talks about what being autistic means to him, including completely missing body language cues during conversations. He also doesn't quite grasp the non-ableist view of the autism spectrum, but TBH neither do most folks. @peoplemag.bsky.social:
people.com/david-byrne-... #neurodiversity
people.com/david-byrne-... #neurodiversity
David Byrne Opens Up About Possibly Being on the Autism Spectrum and How Music Helps with His Social Skills
"I’ve never thought of it as a disability, but I can see that there’s a part of me that is like that," said David Byrne on 'The Louis Theroux Podcast.'
people.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:36 PM
WE ARE EVERYWHERE. :)
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
Bathroom access. If we're talking food specific requirements, then chicken fingers/strips or battered fish. I'll still try other things, but having one of my safe foods for those times I might be overwhelmed is a massive way to get me to like a place
November 9, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Bathroom access. If we're talking food specific requirements, then chicken fingers/strips or battered fish. I'll still try other things, but having one of my safe foods for those times I might be overwhelmed is a massive way to get me to like a place
Our main requirement for happiness in new locations: French fries available at all times. (Note: We have scored.)
If you go to different places, what is your #1 requirement?
#Autism #SameFoods #neurodiversity
[image: basket of French fries on a restaurant table.]
If you go to different places, what is your #1 requirement?
#Autism #SameFoods #neurodiversity
[image: basket of French fries on a restaurant table.]
November 9, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Our main requirement for happiness in new locations: French fries available at all times. (Note: We have scored.)
If you go to different places, what is your #1 requirement?
#Autism #SameFoods #neurodiversity
[image: basket of French fries on a restaurant table.]
If you go to different places, what is your #1 requirement?
#Autism #SameFoods #neurodiversity
[image: basket of French fries on a restaurant table.]
Our main requirement for happiness in new locations: French fries available at all times. (Note: We have scored.)
If you go to different places, what is your #1 requirement?
#Autism #SameFoods #neurodiversity
[image: basket of French fries on a restaurant table.]
If you go to different places, what is your #1 requirement?
#Autism #SameFoods #neurodiversity
[image: basket of French fries on a restaurant table.]
November 9, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Our main requirement for happiness in new locations: French fries available at all times. (Note: We have scored.)
If you go to different places, what is your #1 requirement?
#Autism #SameFoods #neurodiversity
[image: basket of French fries on a restaurant table.]
If you go to different places, what is your #1 requirement?
#Autism #SameFoods #neurodiversity
[image: basket of French fries on a restaurant table.]
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
David Byrne being autistic as well makes me weirdly happy. Also his song with Montaigne is a work of art and it just has that feel-good-brain sound to it, you should listen to it right now:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKGJ4tVsDb8" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKGJ4tVsDb8
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKGJ4tVsDb8" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKGJ4tVsDb8
November 8, 2025 at 4:09 PM
David Byrne being autistic as well makes me weirdly happy. Also his song with Montaigne is a work of art and it just has that feel-good-brain sound to it, you should listen to it right now:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKGJ4tVsDb8" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKGJ4tVsDb8
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKGJ4tVsDb8" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKGJ4tVsDb8
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
I’ve now seen the first 2 episodes and enjoyed them. See yesterday’s repost. @shannonrosa.bsky.social there will also be a Quebec version in French. My online friends Margaux Wosk (Retrophiliac) and Damon Kirsebom are cast members.
Intriguing, has anyone see the British or French versions? “The Assembly is a television series where a roomful of autistic interviewers ask probing and direct questions of celebrities in a no-holds-barred interview. The conversations get very deep, very quickly.”
www.cbc.ca/television/w... #autism
www.cbc.ca/television/w... #autism
Everything you need to know about The Assembly, a groundbreaking interview series where no topic is off limits | CBC Television
Where to watch The Assembly, premiering on November 6 on CBC Gem. Find out which celebrities are interviewed, learn what makes the series so special and watch the trailer.
www.cbc.ca
November 8, 2025 at 9:56 PM
I’ve now seen the first 2 episodes and enjoyed them. See yesterday’s repost. @shannonrosa.bsky.social there will also be a Quebec version in French. My online friends Margaux Wosk (Retrophiliac) and Damon Kirsebom are cast members.
Vaccines have saved millions of lives by preventing diseases like polio, measles, and smallpox. But their success depends on public trust. That’s why the approval process is deliberately slow, methodical, and transparent. From @epiren.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/phnights... #VaccinesWork
open.substack.com/pub/phnights... #VaccinesWork
Vaccine Night School Extra: How Vaccines Are Approved
The process of getting a vaccine approved is expensive to the makers of the vaccine, rigorous by the many institutions and individuals monitoring safety, and life-saving to those who get vaccinated.
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Vaccines have saved millions of lives by preventing diseases like polio, measles, and smallpox. But their success depends on public trust. That’s why the approval process is deliberately slow, methodical, and transparent. From @epiren.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/phnights... #VaccinesWork
open.substack.com/pub/phnights... #VaccinesWork
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
David Byrne talks about what being autistic means to him, including completely missing body language cues during conversations. He also doesn't quite grasp the non-ableist view of the autism spectrum, but TBH neither do most folks. @peoplemag.bsky.social:
people.com/david-byrne-... #neurodiversity
people.com/david-byrne-... #neurodiversity
David Byrne Opens Up About Possibly Being on the Autism Spectrum and How Music Helps with His Social Skills
"I’ve never thought of it as a disability, but I can see that there’s a part of me that is like that," said David Byrne on 'The Louis Theroux Podcast.'
people.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:49 PM
David Byrne talks about what being autistic means to him, including completely missing body language cues during conversations. He also doesn't quite grasp the non-ableist view of the autism spectrum, but TBH neither do most folks. @peoplemag.bsky.social:
people.com/david-byrne-... #neurodiversity
people.com/david-byrne-... #neurodiversity
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
Without SNAP, many people do not have enough money for food. Check out our new plain language Action Alert to learn about what’s happening with SNAP and actions you can take to fund SNAP! autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/take...
![Use our script and call today!
Inside a light box, text reads: Hello! I am a constituent of [Senator/Representative NAME]. I am calling to ask [Senator/Representative NAME] to do everything in their power to fund SNAP during the government shutdown. There are two things I’m asking [Senator/Representative NAME] to do:
1. Tell the USDA to quickly use all of its SNAP contingency funds. There is no reason people shouldn’t get all their SNAP benefits during the shutdown. USDA can act now to stop people from going hungry. To learn why, read the 10/27/25 report from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.
2. Co-sponsor and vote to pass the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025. This bill will help the 42 million people who use SNAP. Our lives are more important than politics.
SNAP is very important for people with disabilities, like me and the people in my community. My health, job, and life are worth protecting. SNAP makes our lives possible.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:r6u62rikefykqiss6wkx5522/bafkreicbvuhwdw6x2nszvcziectzn7woe4z7je7jjxnxak5scgrxtrun3y@jpeg)
November 7, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Without SNAP, many people do not have enough money for food. Check out our new plain language Action Alert to learn about what’s happening with SNAP and actions you can take to fund SNAP! autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/take...
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
ABA proponents often claim play-based methods are “evidence-based” bc they produce measurable outcomes. The problem is what they measure. Most studies in ABA research focus on short-term behavior change—not long-term psychological health, identity or self-regulation.
endseclusion.org/2025/10/31/t...
endseclusion.org/2025/10/31/t...
The Illusion of “Play-Based ABA”: The Gentle Mask of Control
One of the newest rebrands of Applied Behavior Analysis is “play-based ABA.” At first glance, it looks comforting to parents and teachers who may have heard critiques of traditional ABA. Instead of a ...
endseclusion.org
November 4, 2025 at 10:50 PM
ABA proponents often claim play-based methods are “evidence-based” bc they produce measurable outcomes. The problem is what they measure. Most studies in ABA research focus on short-term behavior change—not long-term psychological health, identity or self-regulation.
endseclusion.org/2025/10/31/t...
endseclusion.org/2025/10/31/t...
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
I just want to say this is heard and our long term hope to do lifespan work in this area covering childhood through old age.
November 7, 2025 at 4:40 AM
I just want to say this is heard and our long term hope to do lifespan work in this area covering childhood through old age.
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
Very excited to be part of the study team for this participatory research studying examining loneliness in autistic young adults.
Want to help with autism research? The Social Experiences of Loneliness of Autistic Adults (SELA) Project at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute is forming a Community Council of autistic adults (ages 18–35) to help guide a 5-year study on loneliness and social connection. Info in flyer and alt-text.
November 7, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Very excited to be part of the study team for this participatory research studying examining loneliness in autistic young adults.
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
I deserve an expert.
I deserve someone who understands my disability.
I deserve someone who sees my struggles.
The NHS is obligated to give a disabled person an expert on their disability.
I feel utterly ignored and desolate.
#autism
I deserve someone who understands my disability.
I deserve someone who sees my struggles.
The NHS is obligated to give a disabled person an expert on their disability.
I feel utterly ignored and desolate.
#autism
November 8, 2025 at 11:10 AM
I deserve an expert.
I deserve someone who understands my disability.
I deserve someone who sees my struggles.
The NHS is obligated to give a disabled person an expert on their disability.
I feel utterly ignored and desolate.
#autism
I deserve someone who understands my disability.
I deserve someone who sees my struggles.
The NHS is obligated to give a disabled person an expert on their disability.
I feel utterly ignored and desolate.
#autism
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
3/ Two models for ocial behavior:
👉 Social homeostasis - like hunger, loneliness should push us to seek others. This is the framework for many isolation and loneliness work.
👉 Allostasis - behavior adapts to demands. Frome this lens, temporary withdrawal may help regulate stress and conserve energy.
👉 Social homeostasis - like hunger, loneliness should push us to seek others. This is the framework for many isolation and loneliness work.
👉 Allostasis - behavior adapts to demands. Frome this lens, temporary withdrawal may help regulate stress and conserve energy.
September 30, 2025 at 8:38 AM
3/ Two models for ocial behavior:
👉 Social homeostasis - like hunger, loneliness should push us to seek others. This is the framework for many isolation and loneliness work.
👉 Allostasis - behavior adapts to demands. Frome this lens, temporary withdrawal may help regulate stress and conserve energy.
👉 Social homeostasis - like hunger, loneliness should push us to seek others. This is the framework for many isolation and loneliness work.
👉 Allostasis - behavior adapts to demands. Frome this lens, temporary withdrawal may help regulate stress and conserve energy.
Want to help with autism research? The Social Experiences of Loneliness of Autistic Adults (SELA) Project at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute is forming a Community Council of autistic adults (ages 18–35) to help guide a 5-year study on loneliness and social connection. Info in flyer and alt-text.
November 6, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Want to help with autism research? The Social Experiences of Loneliness of Autistic Adults (SELA) Project at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute is forming a Community Council of autistic adults (ages 18–35) to help guide a 5-year study on loneliness and social connection. Info in flyer and alt-text.
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
On autism and loneliness: "Many autistic people want to build connections with people, but this can so easily become overstimulating and exhausting. This creates a vicious cycle. Autistic processing may intensify this cycle." From @craeioe.bsky.social:
crae.ioe.ac.uk/trapped-in-a... #neurodiversity
crae.ioe.ac.uk/trapped-in-a... #neurodiversity
“Trapped in a no-win situation”
Loneliness is a common emotion experienced by many, but previous research indicates higher rates of loneliness within the autistic adult community. Led by Kana Grace, an autistic researcher, this s…
crae.ioe.ac.uk
November 4, 2025 at 5:15 AM
On autism and loneliness: "Many autistic people want to build connections with people, but this can so easily become overstimulating and exhausting. This creates a vicious cycle. Autistic processing may intensify this cycle." From @craeioe.bsky.social:
crae.ioe.ac.uk/trapped-in-a... #neurodiversity
crae.ioe.ac.uk/trapped-in-a... #neurodiversity
Sigh. "Doctors are having to fend off parents wanting access to leucovorin—the drug that the health secretary & his cronies claim will 'treat' autistic children. They find themselves in a 'tough position being asked to prescribe something that is not evidence-based.'”
buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...
buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...
Autism and Covid infection during pregnancy: Guess what??
The risks of Covid infection in pregnancy unrelated to autism are sufficient to reinforce public health measures and messaging to prevent Covid infection during pregnancy – including vaccination.
buttondown.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Sigh. "Doctors are having to fend off parents wanting access to leucovorin—the drug that the health secretary & his cronies claim will 'treat' autistic children. They find themselves in a 'tough position being asked to prescribe something that is not evidence-based.'”
buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...
buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
TY @autisticadvocacy.org for opposing "the petition to add a warning re: acetaminophen-containing drug products that would state that the use of said products has potential risks on fetal neurodevelopment—including an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder."
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/asan...
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/asan...
ASAN comment on FDA petition to add autism warning to Tylenol
ASAN is writing to oppose the petition to add a warning regarding acetaminophen-containing drug products that would state that the use of said products has potential risks on fetal neurodevelopment, i...
autisticadvocacy.org
November 4, 2025 at 5:07 AM
TY @autisticadvocacy.org for opposing "the petition to add a warning re: acetaminophen-containing drug products that would state that the use of said products has potential risks on fetal neurodevelopment—including an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder."
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/asan...
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/asan...
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
Hey journalists: Please don't be complicit in giving parents of autistic kids false hope—because when your slant is "fixing" those kids instead of helping parents learn how to help autistic kids thrive, entire families take detours into avoidable suffering.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
This mom has three children with autism. She’s spent thousands on ‘false hope.’
With three autistic children, a Michigan mother has been lured into spending thousands on unproven and sometimes risky treatments to ease their symptoms.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Hey journalists: Please don't be complicit in giving parents of autistic kids false hope—because when your slant is "fixing" those kids instead of helping parents learn how to help autistic kids thrive, entire families take detours into avoidable suffering.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
Those "Covid in pregnancy causes autism!!" headlines are misleading AF plus use autistic people as a jump scare—instead of emphasizing that Covid vaccines protect pregnant people AND babies from actual bad outcomes. @ejwillingham.bsky.social, in our latest newsletter:
buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...
buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...
Autism and Covid infection during pregnancy: Guess what??
The risks of Covid infection in pregnancy unrelated to autism are sufficient to reinforce public health measures and messaging to prevent Covid infection during pregnancy – including vaccination.
buttondown.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Those "Covid in pregnancy causes autism!!" headlines are misleading AF plus use autistic people as a jump scare—instead of emphasizing that Covid vaccines protect pregnant people AND babies from actual bad outcomes. @ejwillingham.bsky.social, in our latest newsletter:
buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...
buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...
Reposted by Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
I have a Master’s degree in History. My area of speciality is 20th century propaganda.
It’s been a very long decade of trying to get people to listen…
It’s been a very long decade of trying to get people to listen…
An autistic person accused for the last decade of being a “harbinger of doom” has never been less thrilled about being correct, it has been revealed. More delicious satire (well, is it satire though?) from @thedailytism.com:
thedailytism.com/autistic-doo... #autism #autistic #neurodiversity
thedailytism.com/autistic-doo... #autism #autistic #neurodiversity
Autistic doom-monger never less pleased to say I told you so
An autistic person accused for the last decade of being a “harbinger of doom” has never been less thrilled about being correct, it has been revealed. Eli Port, 30, who usually relishes the moment the...
thedailytism.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:31 PM
I have a Master’s degree in History. My area of speciality is 20th century propaganda.
It’s been a very long decade of trying to get people to listen…
It’s been a very long decade of trying to get people to listen…
An autistic person accused for the last decade of being a “harbinger of doom” has never been less thrilled about being correct, it has been revealed. More delicious satire (well, is it satire though?) from @thedailytism.com:
thedailytism.com/autistic-doo... #autism #autistic #neurodiversity
thedailytism.com/autistic-doo... #autism #autistic #neurodiversity
Autistic doom-monger never less pleased to say I told you so
An autistic person accused for the last decade of being a “harbinger of doom” has never been less thrilled about being correct, it has been revealed. Eli Port, 30, who usually relishes the moment the...
thedailytism.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:21 PM
An autistic person accused for the last decade of being a “harbinger of doom” has never been less thrilled about being correct, it has been revealed. More delicious satire (well, is it satire though?) from @thedailytism.com:
thedailytism.com/autistic-doo... #autism #autistic #neurodiversity
thedailytism.com/autistic-doo... #autism #autistic #neurodiversity
David Byrne talks about what being autistic means to him, including completely missing body language cues during conversations. He also doesn't quite grasp the non-ableist view of the autism spectrum, but TBH neither do most folks. @peoplemag.bsky.social:
people.com/david-byrne-... #neurodiversity
people.com/david-byrne-... #neurodiversity
David Byrne Opens Up About Possibly Being on the Autism Spectrum and How Music Helps with His Social Skills
"I’ve never thought of it as a disability, but I can see that there’s a part of me that is like that," said David Byrne on 'The Louis Theroux Podcast.'
people.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:49 PM
David Byrne talks about what being autistic means to him, including completely missing body language cues during conversations. He also doesn't quite grasp the non-ableist view of the autism spectrum, but TBH neither do most folks. @peoplemag.bsky.social:
people.com/david-byrne-... #neurodiversity
people.com/david-byrne-... #neurodiversity