Why we need to reframe autism with Katy Elphinstone In the fourth episode of Let’s Talk Neurosense, we talked to Katy Elphinstone, autistic advocate, researcher and author of How to Raise Happy Neurofabulous Children: A Parent’s Guide.

In a fantastic episode on podcast "Let's Talk Neurosense", Katy Elphinstone responds to Uta Frith and why we need to reframe Autism.

neurosense.substack.com/p/why-we-nee...

Autistic people can struggle with food textures and smells. Feeling nauseated around certain foods is not uncommon. Being forced to eat certain foods because “they are good for you” but make you feel physically ill creates a bad relationship to food and eating in general.

I knew it was being developed and now it is finally here, Autistic Barbie. It is being launched in the UK and will be part of Barbie's Fashionistas line. I have read some of the pro and con reactions online and both sides have some solid points.

www.msn.com/en-gb/lifest...

Complaint – #1 in NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF v. TRUMP (D.D.C., 1:25-cv-01683) – CourtListener.com COMPLAINT against EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, KAROLINE LEAVITT, OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT, THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE, DONALD J. TRUMP, SUSAN WILES ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-117197...

REFERENCES
Lawsuit - storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

Injunction - www.nad.org/2025/11/05/f...
9/9 🧵

It is sad to me that the president cares more about his image than he does about the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, who simply just want to know what he is saying to the country.
8/9

Our president was sued during his first term in office because of a lack of ASL interpreters. A federal district court had to order the White House to provide them for all of the coronavirus-related briefings.
7/9

Closed captioning is not sufficient for the deaf community because ASL is distinct in its use of grammar and structure from English. During live events, closed captioning can be very delayed and often is full of mistakes.
6/9

The president is currently being sued by the National Association of the Deaf. His reasoning for dropping the ASL interpreters is that they, "would severely intrude on the President's prerogative to control the image he presents to the public".
5/9

Fast forward to today. ASL interpreters are supposed to be provided by our government for all public briefings, press conferences and related events by the president, vice president and press secretary. But, that stopped abruptly in January.
4/9

There are over 7 million deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the U.S. that use sign language to communicate. If you have had a chance to see the 2021 Academy Award winning film "CODA", you know how beautiful and expressive ASL is.
3/9

They would physically feel the beat and rhythm of the music through the floor of the stage they were performing on. The tech team had several speakers turned face-down on the floor so they could "feel" the music and rhythms vibrating through it.
2/9

CW: Personal story & commentary on ASL accessibility in the White House

During high school I had a chance to work with the deaf community. There was a deaf ASL choir that would perform songs. It was always a treat when they would perform for us.
1/9

Reform UK’s Richard Tice says children wearing ear defenders in school is ‘insane’ Tice was outlining Reform’s Doge (Department of government efficiency) unit’s progress

So now people have a problem with ear defenders at school?

Richard Tice was outlining Reform's Doge unit's progress:

"I'll just raise one more point, the sight of children in classes wearing ear defenders, I'm sorry, this is just insane. It's got to stop."

www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...

Couple finds love on app designed for people living with autism Mariah Caezza and Dominic Modugno found love in a familiar place – online. But their love story is different from many of the ones you often hear about. CBS News' Jericka Duncan reports.

I see that the “hiki” app is in the news again. TLDR: it is a meetup/dating app for neurodivergents. The feedback I've heard from others that tried it:

* Too expensive
* Limited users
* Basic features are paywalled

Do your own research. YMMV

www.cbsnews.com/video/couple...

An illustrated drawing shows two stick figures. The first stick figure is opening a door to a room. The figure is wearing a hat and is smoking. The other figure is laying flat on the ground and is crying. A caption above the first figure reads, “Are you OK?”. A caption above the second figure reads, “No, I overshared at the social gathering.”

Do you ever find yourself oversharing with complete strangers in social settings?

#AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD

image: unknown

Alice Wong, ‘luminary’ writer and disability rights activist, dies aged 51 Daughter of immigrants advocated for people with disabilities to have full autonomy over their lives

Really sad news today. We lost disability rights activist Alice Wong. If you don’t know about Alice’s journey take some time to read about her.

RIP Alice 💛

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Two photos are shown on top of each other. The top photo shows a persons neck with a tag touching it. It has a caption that reads, “What it looks like”. The bottom photo shows the same picture, but the tag has been replaced with a cactus. The caption reads, “What if feels like”.

Let’s talk tags on clothing. I hate them and they annoy me to no end. And even if I cut them off, the tiny bit remaining always manages to touch me and I hate it.

Do tags bother you?

#AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic

image: unknown

Do you ever have your need for more information mistaken for "being intentionally difficult"?

Beyond access: the intersecting role of AAC, literacy, and technology As the digital landscape continues to evolve, access to communication, literacy, and technology have become essential for citizenship, community inclusion, and social and emotional well-being. This...

Jordyn Zimmerman is a non-speaking autistic advocate.

In her article, "Beyond Access" Jordyn calls for a more user-centered design approach across the board, where AAC users are not merely participants, but leaders in the design and development process.

www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Proud papa moment: my son J published a letter in the @nytimes.com today (in print tomorrow) on the need to think our definitions of autism.

Quetelet’s work was influential on Francis Galton who coined the term eugenics. We all know what happened next.

Well said!

How did we get to where we are today, where anyone who is deemed "different" is often deemed bad?

Adolphe Quetelet proposed the idea of an average person using statistical analysis. In his view, people who are nearer to the average are closer to "ideal" than those who are not.

A photo of an older white man with a beard wearing a black shirt. He is wearing a Live Long and Prosper Spock pendant with necklace and a neurodiversity infinity symbol.

A note which reads: Dear Jeff, On behalf of The Nimoy Knight Foundation, Julie and are absolutely thrilled to present you with the "LLAP Tribute"! Leonard would be so proud knowing that his character "Mr. Spock" had a positive impact with so many people in the autism community! With the rise in autism, your efforts in creating awareness, removing associated stigma and being an amazing role model is so important today! And.. in the words of "Mr. Spock". ... may you "Live Long and Prosper"! Best wishes, David and Julie

Deeply grateful to the Nimoy Night Foundation for honoring my autism advocacy work with the Live Long and Prosper Tribute award.

Spock has always been a hero in the #ActuallyAutistic community. Thank you!

LLAP 🖖

#LLAPTribute #RememberingLeonardNimoy #Autism

I just finished rewatching the old 1970’s Planet of the Apes series. I fast-forwarded through most of it because it is really bad. 😅

I’m looking at my 2 cats now…and I think I would be fine if cats took over the world. At least we would all get daily cat naps. 😸

"When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everthing in me that is bewildered and confused."

--Rainer Maria Rilke

4/4

Sometimes it can feel like your brain is literally fighting you. For me, as I have gotten older, the anxiety and insomnia have just gotten worse.

3/4

And if you add insomnia to the mix, there is little wonder why some end up with an addiction. Human beings who are in pain are going to try and get relief wherever they can.

2/4

For many in the autistic community, having anxiety is as constant as the north star. It is there when you wake up and it is there when you go to sleep. It only varies in its intensity.

1/4

I’m trying to recreate your “List Creator” shortcut but am stuck on the “Add Repeat Item in LIST” line. How did you do that part?