World Autism Acceptance Week 2025: Art Attack.

 

It's a pesky preachy/semi-serious/slightly annoyed Autism Acceptance Week post incoming that I have to do a variation of every year but only when I've lulled you to a point of comfortableness with nice family photos and music.

Yes, I'm sneaky.

I know that some people don't think this is worth getting angry about but have you seen the state of the artwork that gets banded about on Autism Acceptance Day/Week/Month/Fortnight?

It's not just that it's twee and infantilising but really badly drawn too.

Tho' to be honest the infantilising bit is probably more important.

 

 

The last one also features the classic "I love someone with Autism" trope too.

As I've said before, why not love them with your heart and soul instead?

And that's why I decided to design this t-shirt for myself to wear when out with Rho. 

I'm sure she'll appreciate the message.

 

 

The different approaches/attitudes to Autism (both online and in the 'real-life') really come to a head in April tho' (because let's be honest most folk don't give a damn the rest of the year) when we're hit with that barrage of overzealous, brightly coloured kiddie-based stuff mixed in with those occasionally clumsy comment/post about the hardships of having an Autistic person in the house and how Autism parents are literally martyrs to the cause fighting a never ending battle against this evil condition whilst the experts sit back and nod in agreement.

And talking of T-shirts (which I was earlier, please keep up) have you seen some of the designs that come out of storage during Autism Awareness/Acceptance Week/Month?

This is one of my (rather splendid and subtle) T-Shirts....great for meetings/shopping etc I think you'll agree.

But from a non-Autistic side we're eyeball-assaulted by stuff like the designs shown below.

It's almost like they're trying to blind us with mismatched colours and fonts. 

And I'm sure psychological torture was banned under the Geneva Convention.

Or at the very least under the rules of fashion.

 

Hmmm....controversial. For the rebel in the family, or the uneducated - you choose.

Alternatively we could punch anyone wearing this in the face instead?

Says the dragon holding the multi-coloured puzzle piece. Plus I'm pretty sure that's not how Google works.

No, It's definitely spelled Autism. Try again.

Alexa....define 'sensory overload' without saying 'sensory overload'.

So....just a dad then? Unless you literally parent Autism. Which you don't.

As above, only lady based. Plus that's an elephant not a child and as far as I can tell elephants aren't Autistic. Or parented by humans.

A Classic.

Now this is just silly.

 

 

 

 

But this annoyance/anger regarding Autism tropes and symbols seems to really upset  a section of those "Autism Mamas/Dads" that you get online as it seems they think that Autistic folk getting upset at how they're portrayed is somehow less important than a non-Autistic parents struggles and we should get our priorities sorted.

Or at least be quiet and just listen to them.

They don't seem to realise we can get angry at twp things at once.

 

Obviously I just ignore them which means that being an Autistic parent (of Autistic kids) with hands-on experience of working with vulnerable groups, running projects, setting up charities and the like (I don't just draw the wee pictures you know) I appear to become public enemy number one at times like this.

 

It's a running joke I have whenever I get asked to be involved in any kind of Autism-based project, from research type things to hands on stuff the folk in charge always say "Oh it's brilliant to actually have someone Autistic involved!"

To which I always reply "You say that now but give it a fortnight and you'll be trying your best to get rid of me!"

And why? you might ask.

Well it seems to be that an Autistic adult with experience, knowledge and ideas is actually the totally wrong type of Autistic to listen to/work with/consult because maybe, just maybe we may contradict you or question your beliefs.

And we can't have that can we?

I mean God forbid you might learn something.

Seriously, try it tho' it's actually not that scary - I mean I learn new stuff every day, it's great.

Just ask some of the actually Autistic projects I've been involved in where everyone is treated equally and with respect, it's just amazing and some of the best work/projects I've done.

Which is probably why - even if not working with them again - we stay in touch.

Luckily the ones that were utter arseholes about it (they know who they are) are now shut. 

Rant over.

No. F*ck off.