By Austin Houck — 2020
My story differs from many others who grow up with a developmental disorder, because at the same time, I was also finding my way as a young gay man.
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It remains controversial—but it doesn’t have to be. We need to embrace both the neurodiversity model and the medical model to fully understand autism.
Filmmaker Evan Mead, who has Asperger’s, exposes struggles with dating and intimacy for people on the autism spectrum and runs events featuring speed dating and exploring facial expressions.
Just because you value neurological differences doesn’t mean you’re denying the reality of disabilities. This piece is in response to another Scientific American article by Simon Baron-Cohen.
We’ve been taught to refer to people with disabilities using person-first language, but that might be doing more harm than good.
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When I walk into a room, most people see me as confident and ready to take on the world. As an engineer in the aerospace industry, that’s the persona I would like them to see. But in reality, I’m most likely experiencing a serious level of anxiety stimulated by my invisible disability.
Where does your organisation sit in relation to disability and neurodiversity on the Belonging Continuum?
“Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it.” ~ Bruce Lee The premise of his philosophy was efficiency—complete and utter efficiency of the soul.
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The ongoing dialogue I have with my own perspective and emotions is the biggest job I’ve ever undertaken. Exploring this internal give-and-take forces me to grow in surprising ways.
Often, disabled people have their disability treated, but they don’t have their emotional or spiritual needs addressed.
Depression and suicidal ideation are more likely among people with disabilities due to factors like abuse, isolation, and stressors related to poverty, among others.