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#DisabilityStillTooWhite: A White Autist Examines Representation in the Disability Movement
I identify as White, non-binary, neuro-queer, autistic, and disabled. I believe it is crucial to be transparent as soon as possible about (my) positionality when discussing intricate and delicate concepts (and always starting with my Whiteness to highlight how my White privilege directly and...
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United States Senator Robert Menendez Honored by the Autism Society of America with the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award
On December 16th, the Autism Society of America and The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation awarded New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez as the 2020 recipient of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award. “I am deeply honored to accept this award and would like to thank my...
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How a Sibling Connection Inspired Advocacy and a Career
When I was nine years old, I became an advocate. We were out in public and a woman chastised my mom for being unable to control my younger brother, Joey. My blood started to boil and I was outraged by this woman’s lack of empathy. However, my mom handled the situation with poise and grace,...
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With Greta Thunberg in Time’s Spotlight, Those on the Spectrum Seeing “a Profound Moment”
In just several months, Greta Thunberg, 16, has flayed international leaders, electrified climate advocates and served notice that her generation will bring new urgency to saving the planet. Her voice is forceful, her intensity unapologetic and her expressions candid. She’s also on the autism...
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The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation for Adult Autism Shares Its Pioneering Mission On the Global Stage in Beijing, China
On August 22-23, 2019, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation attended the International Symposium on Rehabilitation and Advocacy for Autism sponsored by the Ai You Foundation at the Crowne Plaza in Beijing, China as an invited Keynote addressee. Over the course of two days, this international...
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Mentors Over White Knights – How to Support Autistic Women for Success
Like many neurotypical girls, I spent a lot of time growing up either reading or watching fairy tales in books or television. What’s peculiar about women on the Autism Spectrum is that our advocates sometimes mimic those white knights in shining armor; Meaning that someone on our care team will...
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Neurodiversity – The New Normal
Over the years, many terms have been used to describe the various neurological conditions that result in developmental, cognitive and behavioral disorders. In the early days of diagnosis and treatment, diagnosis’ ranged from relatively neutral terms like Hyperkinetic Impulse Disorder, (Kimberly...
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Stuck Between Two Worlds: Having a Brain that is Half Autistic and Half Neurotypical
We often talk of Neurodiversity in terms of a binary between Autistic and Neurotypical when in reality it is much more complicated. We all know Autism exists on a spectrum but commonly assume if someone is on the spectrum, they are one side of a binary line, regardless of where they fall on the...
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First Responders Promote Awareness and Training Through the Autism Patch Challenge
A simple idea to bring autism awareness to the New Rochelle Police Department and the City of New Rochelle, NY, has since spread to over 350 first responder agencies around the United States, and continues to grow with each passing month. On February 7, 2017, I made an appointment to meet with...
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If My Son Could Speak
My son, Tariq, is turning 40 this November. He is autistic, as well as nonspeaking, and he has a severe intellectual disability. Like many other parents of nonspeaking autistic children, I have had imaginary conversations with him many times over the years, and I wonder what he would tell me if he...
