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I am an autistic Mi’kmaq person. Autism shapes how I experience the world, but so does culture. Those two things are connected in ways that people do not talk about very often. When autism is discussed in research, in media, or even in public conversations, the story usually comes from a very specific perspective. It is usually white, Western, and medical. Because of that, many autistic experiences are left out of the conversation, including those of Indigenous people. When p

When people talk about autism, the conversation usually focuses on difficulty. Sensory overload. Social misunderstandings. Burnout from navigating a world that was not built for autistic people. Those things are real. I experience them too. But autism is not only a struggle. There is also joy. A deep, vivid kind of joy that shapes how I experience the world. There are parts of my autistic brain that I would never trade. Not for normalcy. Not for a version of life that might h

One of my favorite bands is coming to town, and I’m beyond excited to see them live because music has always been a form of therapy for me. That being said, concerts are loud. They’re crowded. They’re unpredictable. And I still want to go. Not because they’re easy. Not because I suddenly stopped being autistic. But because joy is worth planning for. Going to a concert as an autistic person isn’t about being spontaneous. It’s about being intentional. If I want to actually enjo

People talk about autistic meltdowns a lot, but most of the time, they talk about them from the outside. They describe them as disruptions, as something inconvenient, something that needs to be stopped quickly. People often focus on how it looks, how uncomfortable it is for others, or how to prevent it at all costs. But what often gets missed is the truth: meltdowns are not misbehavior. They are not a choice. They are not someone being difficult. A meltdown happens when an au

I saw a video about an occupational therapist talking about replacing, reducing, or even removing stimming altogether. And it made me mad. Not surprised mad. Not mildly annoyed mad. The kind of mad that comes from watching the same harmful ideas get repackaged as “professional expertise” over and over again. So here are my two cents on stimming. Not the clinical version. Not the compliance-focused, comfort-of-non-autistic-people version. The autistic-centered, nervous-system-

When I first heard that Mattel had released an autistic Barbie, my reaction surprised me. I didn’t feel skepticism. I didn’t feel the usual “oh no, here we go” tension that often comes with corporate “representation.” I felt… relief. Because this Barbie isn’t loud about what she represents. She doesn’t scream awareness. She simply exists, and that, in itself, is powerful. Representation that meets us gently Autism is still widely misunderstood, and that misunderstanding hits

“Should I disclose that I’m autistic?” I hear this question all the time, and I ask it myself more often than I wish I had to. The most honest answer I can give is not yes or no. It depends on how safe I feel in the environment I am in. Not on whether disclosure is encouraged. Not on whether people talk about inclusion or authenticity. It depends on safety. Emotional safety. Professional safety. Sometimes physical safety. Because disclosure is not neutral, even when people pr

One of the most persistent and harmful assumptions about autistic people is that because some of us experience social differences, we must also lack interest in romantic relationships. The idea often goes unspoken, but it is everywhere. In media portrayals, in clinical language, in how adults speak about autistic youth growing up, and in how society reacts when autistic people express a desire for intimacy, partnership, or marriage. The message is subtle but constant: autisti

A practical guide for a kinder, safer Christmas The holidays are often imagined as a joyful, emotional, noisy season filled with gatherings and traditions. But for many autistic people, this time of year is not comforting at all. It can be deeply overwhelming. Sensory overload, disrupted routines, social pressure, forced closeness, and emotional strain can make Christmas feel like something to survive rather than celebrate. If you care about an autistic person, the most impor

I used to think bullying was something that only happened in big, obvious ways like pushing, name-calling, or fights behind the school. For me, it was quieter, and somehow that made it worse. It was the whispered laughter when I said something that didn’t fit. The eye rolls when I didn’t understand a joke right away. The long silences after I spoke, when I realized people didn’t know what to do with my words or energy. It was the teachers who told me to “just ignore it,” as i

Halloween is one of those nights where it’s magical for many; glowing pumpkins, elaborate costumes, and sensory chaos everywhere you look. For neurodivergent people, it can be both awesome and overwhelming. Between social expectations, flashing lights, unpredictable noises, and changes in routine, the night can bring a mix of joy and exhaustion. This guide is for all of us who like a bit of spooky fun our way, whether that means joining the crowd, carving pumpkins at home, or

Every October, people pay money to be scared. Haunted houses. Horror movies. Creepy costumes. This October, as everyone plays dress-up, I keep thinking about how freeing it would be if we didn’t need costumes to be accepted. If people could see authenticity as something beautiful, not something to fear. Because being autistic isn’t a mask I wear for the season; it’s who I am, every single day. But the scariest thing I ever hear isn’t whispered in the dark… it’s said under bri

I just accepted a job in counselling. And I won’t lie, I’m anxious. Not just “a little nervous,” but the kind of anxious where my brain...

First responders, including police officers and firefighters, are often the very first point of contact in emergencies. They are trained...

Please note, this blog will be available exclusively in English for this week* Autism is finally being recognized as something that lasts...

People love saying autism is a “superpower.” They say it like it’s a compliment. Like it’s empowering. Like it’s supposed to make me feel...

There’s a strange tension that comes with being both Autistic and an advocate. On the one hand, it’s deeply meaningful to speak out, to...

Driving has never just been about getting from point A to point B. For many Autistic people like me, it’s about navigating a world that...

You’ve probably heard it. You may have even said it, in a moment of attempted empathy, connection, or maybe just awkwardness: “Aren’t we...

I’m autistic, and I support other autistic people. That matters, a lot. When you are autistic and work with other autistic people, you...