Autism is a way of being.

It's a collection of specific differences from commonly perceived expectations of sensory perception, information processing & expression, which is viewed by external observers as differences in behaviour & communication.

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Autistamatic is here to help 
people both on & off the autism
spectrum understand more about 
the lives, challenges and above all 
potential of autistic people in 
society today.

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Join us as we explore our 
many coloured minds...
 

What is Autism?

Autism is easy to explain...isn't it? The internet is full of descriptions of autism from charities, medical companies, health authorities and academics, but hardly any of them have had any input from a single autistic person.

Living in Fear

An Autistic Open Letter to Hollywood

Autism & fear walk hand in hand. Just BEING autistic, even if people don't know, can invite trouble on a daily basis. Is it any wonder that those of us who manage to mask ourselves well enough to pass largely unnoticed tend to hide in the shadows?

Autism doesn't get represented very well on TV & film. Sia's movie "Music" is only the latest controversy in a long list of depictions of autistic people that have upset countless autistic people worldwide. Even worse some autistic characters actually cause bullying of real autistic people. In this film we look at why fiction is important and suggest how film makers can make an important contribution to making autistic life better.

Star Trek & Autism Research - "The Measure of a Man"

Autism research is often not helpful to autistic people. Sometimes it's downright shameful. One of the most popular & memorable episodes of Star Trek The Next Generation holds lessons about the moral considerations of scientific research which those investigating autism have not yet learned.

 Why Do So Many Autistic People LOVE Science Fiction?

Autism stereotypes can seem odd. Some are nonsense but many have some basis in truth. Autistic Sc-Fi fans are not exactly a rarity, but it's not some inherent trait - there's very good reason why escapism like science fiction (and fantasy, superheroes, horror etc...) is so popular with autistic people.

Neurodiversity - What it Means to ME

Autism is only one of many neurodivergent differences & conditions. Everybody, whether neurodivergent or neurotypical is part of the variety of neurotypes we call "neurodiversity". In the wake of a number of criticisms of the concept, this unscripted video is my personal take on what neurodiversity means to ME.

What's so HARD About Being Autistic?

Autism is misunderstood. That's a given, but few people realise how difficult being autistic in a non-autistic world can be. There are barriers most neurotypical people don't even realise they are putting in our way. If you don't yet know how society - people - actively make life for autistic people MUCH harder than it need be, you need to watch this.

Research & Charities: Where Does The Money Go?

Autism research & autism charities often walk hand in hand, but are they actually doing what autistic people want?

Self Diagnosis & Gatekeeping

Autism changes everything when it's discovered in adulthood. The realisation that one is autistic puts perspective on a life that may have been confusing and frustrating up to that point. Diagnosis can be a long road though. Thankfully there's a community full of autistic adults ready to help - except for a few...