functioning labels

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Let’s hope they don’t kick me off: these IACC public comments though…

#actuallyautistic, #autismacceptance, #autismawareness, AAC, ableism, acceptance, advocacy, anti-stigma, autism, autism acceptance, autism awareness, autism parent, autistic, balance, civil rights, communication, community, disability, disability rights, diversity, ethics, families, functioning labels, IDD, inclusion, intellectual disability, intersectionality, Just Being Me...Who Needs 'Normalcy" Anyway? (my blog), Morénike, neurodiversity, open letter, POC, presume competence, representation, respectful parenting, self-advocacy, solidarity, stigma, tolerance, writing / By

So…I was recently appointed to the IACC, which is the federal advisory board that handles important autism-related matters at the national level. There were ~40-ish? people appointed in total, including 23 public members…and a full EIGHT of us public members are autistic! I am beyond grateful to have an opportunity to serve my community in …

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An Open Letter in Response to Mad in America’s “Neurodiversity is Dead. Now What?” article

6 Comments / #actuallyautistic, #autismacceptance, ableism, autism, bias, functioning labels, Mad in America, Morénike, neurodiversity, open letter, presume competence, race, twilah hiari / By

Today I had the displeasure of reading an article in Mad in America entitled, “Neurodiversity Is Dead. Now What?” Written by a Black woman whose diagnoses range from autism to PMDD, the article makes an attempt to point out what its author views as inconsistencies in the neurodiversity movement. There are six primary points made …

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Face the truth: what you REALLY mean when you say “low-functioning”

4 Comments / autism, autism acceptance, autism awareness, autistic, disability, discrimination, functioning labels, IDD, intellectual disability, neurodiversity, presume competence / By

I’m so freaking tired of people throwing around functioning labels. “High” functioning autism. “Low” functioning autism. “Moderately,” “mildly,” or “severely” affected by autism. Aside from the fact that these labels are arbitrary, divisive, imprecise, and inaccurate, they just don’t make sense.  As someone (not me) brilliantly stated, “Low functioning means that your strengths are ignored; …

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