There is SO much to say about the complexities of autistic life as a person of colour. Here are some of respected advocates dropping their knowledge, a selection of my own talks and essays, and additional resources to help connect you to your community.
Autistic Advocates
Lydia X. Z. Brown
Writer, public speaker, educator, trainer, consultant, advocate, community organizer, community builder, activist, scholar, and attorney.
@autistichoya
Morénike Giwa Onaiwu
@MorenikeGO
Tiffany Hammond
Autistic mother, advocate, and storyteller using her personal experiences with Autism and parenting two Autistic boys to guide others.
@fidgets.and.fries
Kerima Cevik
Blogger for disabilty rights, autistic inclusion, accommodation, communication rights, and representation.
Creator of #AutisticWhileBlack.
@ kerima_cevik
Melissa Simmonds
Educating children and schools about autism. Empowering BAME autistics on neurodiversity.
@Mis_TAught
Anand Prahlad
Speaker. Poet. Musician. Folklorist. Scholar. Neurodiversity, autism and disabilities advocate. Author of The Secret Life of a Black Aspie: A Memoir.
@theanandprahlad
Sandra Coral
A neurodivergent-affirming, non-blaming, mind-body therapeutic approach to coaching.
@nd.narratives
Anita Cameron
Black autistic lesbian, writer, and cat lover. Director of Minority Outreach for Not Dead Yet.
@adaptanita
Lauren Melissa Ellzey
Educator, speaker, author,
and autistic self-advocate.
@autienelle
Asiatu Lawoyin
Intersectional autistic coach with Asiatu “Coach” Lawoyin Empowerment Services
@asiatu.coach
Talisha ‘Tee Cee’ Johnson
Filmmaker, TV Show Developer, Presenter & Writer-Director
@thisisteecee
Lauren-Rochelle Fernandez
Activist, Advocate, & Ambassador for Neurodiversity providing Mask Off.
@maskoffcic
Zekwande Mathenjwa
Founder of The Zekwande Foundation working to champion projects for autistic nonspeakers.
@AutisticSpeak
Niki Awesome
Autistic Vlogger + Traveler + Explorer. Host of The Awesome With Autism Show.
@theawesomewithautismshow
Kayla Smith
Black Autistic Disability Justice Advocate. YouTube. Creator of #AutisticBlackPride. @BeingKaylaSmith
Pastiche Graham
Writer & Autistic Advocate.
@pastiche_graham
Ayanna Davis
Autism advocate, artist, author, actor.
@Phenomautistic
ON BEING AUTISTIC & POC
The Persistent Invisibility of Black Autism
Take a stroll through the history of autism and the exclusion of Black people therein with Neurotribes author Steve Silberman.
ReadAfrican-Americans With Autism Face Additional Challenges
A 4-minute interview on NPR with late-identified autistic self-advocate and parent Jackie Pilgrim.
Listen
Autistic Mother’s Perspective with Jackie Pilgrim
An hour-long interview with autistic self-advocate and parent Jackie Pilgrim.
Autastic Interviews
THE STOOP
Episode 60
"We explore what it’s like to be a Black autistic adult with the story of artist, author, and illustrator Ayanna Davis, AKA ‘Phenomenally Autistic.’ We also hear from advocate and autism media consultant Diane J. Wright, plus special education professor Dr. Jamie Pearson breaks down why Black autistic people are diagnosed so late in life."
THE PARITY PROECT
"In this episode we speak with Diane J. Wright, the founder of Autastic.com. Home to the world’s largest online community of late-identified autistic adults, two of the only spaces dedicated to people of color with autism, and the only community of its size for people with autism that’s founded by a woman of color."
By Diane J. Wright
#AutisticBIPoC experience arguably higher levels of exclusion, aggression, and inequality within our own autistic spaces.
Here's what it's really like.
#AutisticBIPOC Community
Other Resources
#AutisticBIPOC YouTube
For even more perspectives, see my ever-growing #AutisticBIPOC YouTube playlist.
Watch
Autistic BIPOC Authors
Looking for titles by writers who share your culture, melanin, and/or heritage?
Dig into these and find more on our great big Goodreads list!
Books
Books
#AutisticBIPOC Twitter
Follow and connect with the autistic BIPOC community on Twitter by following my #AutisticBIPOC Community list.
ConnectHashtags
These may help you connect with your community across social media:
#AutisticBIPoC
#AutisticPOC
#AutisticWhileBlack
#autizzy
#AutisticWhileBrown
#AutisticAndIndigenous
#AutisticAAPI
#AutisticMENA
#AutisticSWANA
#AutisticLatinX
#AutisticAndMixed
#AutisticBlackLivesMatter