Sparklie Brain
@sparkliebrain.bsky.social
Dachshund enthusiast, autistic educator, neurodiversity cultural responsiveness trainer, but mostly, dachshunds
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
"...somewhere along the way, we became so accustomed to what Black women could carry that we stopped paying attention to how much we were asking them to hold."
The Inner Architechture: Black Women and the Burden of Being “Everything”
The Inner Architechture: Black Women and the Burden of Being “Everything”
michiganchronicle.com
September 22, 2026 at 11:13 AM
"...somewhere along the way, we became so accustomed to what Black women could carry that we stopped paying attention to how much we were asking them to hold."
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
Charlotte Bachelor Keynote Speaker - “This Life Is Not a Tragedy'
YouTube video by Black Autism Acceptance Day
youtu.be
September 21, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
YouTube kicked us off for 24 hours 😂
Said we reached our video upload limit
So the rest of the videos will be up as soon as they stop playing 🫠
youtube.com/@blackautism...
Said we reached our video upload limit
So the rest of the videos will be up as soon as they stop playing 🫠
youtube.com/@blackautism...
Black Autism Acceptance Day
Welcome to the official YouTube channel for Black Autism Acceptance Day.
Here, we center Black autistic voices, stories, experiences, advocacy, identity, and joy. Our channel features conversations, ...
youtube.com
September 21, 2026 at 7:03 PM
YouTube kicked us off for 24 hours 😂
Said we reached our video upload limit
So the rest of the videos will be up as soon as they stop playing 🫠
youtube.com/@blackautism...
Said we reached our video upload limit
So the rest of the videos will be up as soon as they stop playing 🫠
youtube.com/@blackautism...
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
A time was had 🤎
September 19, 2026 at 9:03 PM
A time was had 🤎
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
New research & toolkit: Professionals often miss or misunderstand autistic motor difficulties, so people do not always get the help they need. Part of the [problem] is that the types of tests we use can be uncomfortable or confusing for autistic people.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism
Valid when Valued: A Community-Engaged Framework and Toolkit to Improve Identification of Autistic People’s Motor Difficulties in Research and Practice - Haylie L. Miller, Priscila M. Tamplain, Miri T...
Many autistic people experience clinically significant motor differences that pose lifelong physical health risks including physical inactivity, cardiometabolic...
journals.sagepub.com
September 16, 2026 at 11:18 PM
New research & toolkit: Professionals often miss or misunderstand autistic motor difficulties, so people do not always get the help they need. Part of the [problem] is that the types of tests we use can be uncomfortable or confusing for autistic people.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
Awful: “ABA service providers are allowed to keep children in lucrative standalone treatment centers where they are barred by Medicaid law from receiving academic instruction—often for years after they should begin attending school.” TY @bethhawkins.bsky.social:
www.the74million.org/article/priv...
www.the74million.org/article/priv...
Private Equity Is Cashing in on Autism Therapy. Children Are Paying the Price
Analysis of Medicaid data finds applied behavior analysis — an unproven, even dangerous therapy — turns huge profits for providers at kids' expense
www.the74million.org
September 16, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Awful: “ABA service providers are allowed to keep children in lucrative standalone treatment centers where they are barred by Medicaid law from receiving academic instruction—often for years after they should begin attending school.” TY @bethhawkins.bsky.social:
www.the74million.org/article/priv...
www.the74million.org/article/priv...
At 17-and-a-half, Max loves his naps
September 16, 2026 at 2:36 PM
At 17-and-a-half, Max loves his naps
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
Day one is almost full 🥰
Join the FREE inaugural Black Autism Acceptance Day Virtual Summit Sept 19–20, 12–4 PM ET
Space is limited 🖤
See you there!
Tell a friend 👌🏽
DAY 1 REGISTRATION streamyard.com/watch/QhuBbd...
DAY 2 REGISTRATION streamyard.com/watch/rENEym...
Space is limited 🖤
See you there!
Tell a friend 👌🏽
DAY 1 REGISTRATION streamyard.com/watch/QhuBbd...
DAY 2 REGISTRATION streamyard.com/watch/rENEym...
DAY 1-Welcome to the Black Autism Acceptance and Awareness Summit
Welcome to the Black Autism Acceptance and Awareness Summit, founded by internationally recognized autistic advocate Ayanna Sanaa Davis. This groundbreaking virtual gathering centers Black autistic vo...
streamyard.com
September 16, 2026 at 2:56 AM
Day one is almost full 🥰
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
Join the FREE Virtual Summit Sept 19–20, 12–4 PM ET!
Space is limited 🖤
Day 1: streamyard.com/watch/QhuBbd...
Day 2: streamyard.com/watch/rENEym...
Space is limited 🖤
Day 1: streamyard.com/watch/QhuBbd...
Day 2: streamyard.com/watch/rENEym...
September 4, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Join the FREE Virtual Summit Sept 19–20, 12–4 PM ET!
Space is limited 🖤
Day 1: streamyard.com/watch/QhuBbd...
Day 2: streamyard.com/watch/rENEym...
Space is limited 🖤
Day 1: streamyard.com/watch/QhuBbd...
Day 2: streamyard.com/watch/rENEym...
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
Happy Saturday
Join the FREE Virtual Summit Sept 19–20, 12–4 PM ET!
Space is limited 🖤
Day 1: streamyard.com/watch/QhuBbd...
Day 2: streamyard.com/watch/rENEym...
Space is limited 🖤
Day 1: streamyard.com/watch/QhuBbd...
Day 2: streamyard.com/watch/rENEym...
September 5, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Happy Saturday
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
“Be Strong enough to be gentle.”
Peter Cullen tells the story of how his brother inspired the voice he would use to play Optimus Prime. It’s a simple yet poignant quote that sums up why Optimus and Peter are so beloved.
Til All Are One. 💔
Peter Cullen tells the story of how his brother inspired the voice he would use to play Optimus Prime. It’s a simple yet poignant quote that sums up why Optimus and Peter are so beloved.
Til All Are One. 💔
August 27, 2026 at 2:49 PM
“Be Strong enough to be gentle.”
Peter Cullen tells the story of how his brother inspired the voice he would use to play Optimus Prime. It’s a simple yet poignant quote that sums up why Optimus and Peter are so beloved.
Til All Are One. 💔
Peter Cullen tells the story of how his brother inspired the voice he would use to play Optimus Prime. It’s a simple yet poignant quote that sums up why Optimus and Peter are so beloved.
Til All Are One. 💔
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
The AASPIRE team has been working SO long and SO hard on addressing common autism research roadblocks. Research nerds—you're going to want to savor this one.
(Disclosure: I am a small AASPIRE community cog and as such am listed as a co-author on the paper. -SR)
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
(Disclosure: I am a small AASPIRE community cog and as such am listed as a co-author on the paper. -SR)
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Addressing Common Problems in Autism Research: Cohort Development and Sample Description for a Participatory, Real-World, Longitudinal Study of Outcomes in Autistic Adults - Christina Nicolaidis, Ian ...
Adult autism services research is plagued by methodological challenges, including difficulty obtaining representative or heterogeneous samples and a frequent mi...
journals.sagepub.com
August 25, 2026 at 5:34 PM
The AASPIRE team has been working SO long and SO hard on addressing common autism research roadblocks. Research nerds—you're going to want to savor this one.
(Disclosure: I am a small AASPIRE community cog and as such am listed as a co-author on the paper. -SR)
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
(Disclosure: I am a small AASPIRE community cog and as such am listed as a co-author on the paper. -SR)
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
Rep. Mike Lawler just introduced a resolution to make Sept 19 Black Autism Acceptance & Awareness Day inspired by my advocacy. This day is deeply needed. Getting it passed will be a major step forward in autism advocacy. 🖤 here is my interview with News12
October 3, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Rep. Mike Lawler just introduced a resolution to make Sept 19 Black Autism Acceptance & Awareness Day inspired by my advocacy. This day is deeply needed. Getting it passed will be a major step forward in autism advocacy. 🖤 here is my interview with News12
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
This week marks 5 years since I published my first book We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation. It wanted to shift how people talked about #Autism and #ActuallyAutistic people from treating them like a problem to humans who deserve dignity
www.harpercollins.com/products/wer...
www.harpercollins.com/products/wer...
We're Not Broken
“This book is a message from autistic people to their parents, friends, teachers, coworkers and doctors showing what life is like on the spectrum. It’s also...
www.harpercollins.com
August 7, 2026 at 3:14 AM
This week marks 5 years since I published my first book We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation. It wanted to shift how people talked about #Autism and #ActuallyAutistic people from treating them like a problem to humans who deserve dignity
www.harpercollins.com/products/wer...
www.harpercollins.com/products/wer...
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
Autistic people’s own accounts of friendship as "meaningful, sustaining, and deeply valued" contradict assumptions about autistic relationships as "fragile, shallow, or inherently lacking." New research:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism #neurodiversity
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism #neurodiversity
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
July 23, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Autistic people’s own accounts of friendship as "meaningful, sustaining, and deeply valued" contradict assumptions about autistic relationships as "fragile, shallow, or inherently lacking." New research:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism #neurodiversity
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1... #autism #neurodiversity
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
"Autistic children only get one childhood, & they deserve properly qualified & properly experienced professional teams. Teams that consider autistic ways of communication, ethics, human rights & potential harms very carefully indeed." @annmemmott.bsky.social:
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/05/aba-...
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/05/aba-...
Therapists Are Traumatizing Autistic Children By Speech Demands
Therapists that do not consider autistic ways of communication, ethics, human rights, and potential harms are traumatizing autistic children.
thinkingautismguide.com
July 16, 2026 at 3:40 AM
"Autistic children only get one childhood, & they deserve properly qualified & properly experienced professional teams. Teams that consider autistic ways of communication, ethics, human rights & potential harms very carefully indeed." @annmemmott.bsky.social:
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/05/aba-...
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/05/aba-...
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
For America's 250th, I read Frederick Douglass’ speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” on the House floor—for the first time in history.
His speech endures as a mirror & mandate for us all—to confront our inequities while fighting for an America as good as its promise.
His speech endures as a mirror & mandate for us all—to confront our inequities while fighting for an America as good as its promise.
July 3, 2026 at 2:34 PM
For America's 250th, I read Frederick Douglass’ speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” on the House floor—for the first time in history.
His speech endures as a mirror & mandate for us all—to confront our inequities while fighting for an America as good as its promise.
His speech endures as a mirror & mandate for us all—to confront our inequities while fighting for an America as good as its promise.
The bed belongs to him, really
June 30, 2026 at 12:47 AM
The bed belongs to him, really
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
Older lady peeped the rainbow flag on my bike, asked in a thick Russian accent “It’s your Pride?” She told me her youngest grandchild is “not she berry or he berry but no berry.” I said “Nonbinary?” She got so excited. Yes! Yes! And “Is a secret, but they are my“ *looks around, whispers* “favorite.”
June 24, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Older lady peeped the rainbow flag on my bike, asked in a thick Russian accent “It’s your Pride?” She told me her youngest grandchild is “not she berry or he berry but no berry.” I said “Nonbinary?” She got so excited. Yes! Yes! And “Is a secret, but they are my“ *looks around, whispers* “favorite.”
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
"Oral health problems may sometimes masquerade as, or even exacerbate, symptoms commonly associated with autism and ADHD." As always, glad to see research back up autistic learned wisdom.
autismspectrumnews.org/could-it-be-... #autism #ADHD #neurodiversity
autismspectrumnews.org/could-it-be-... #autism #ADHD #neurodiversity
Could It Be Oral Pain? An Overlooked Piece of the Puzzle for Children With Autism and ADHD
Oral health problems are more common in children with autism and ADHD and may affect behavior, sleep, attention, and learning.
autismspectrumnews.org
June 20, 2026 at 5:08 AM
"Oral health problems may sometimes masquerade as, or even exacerbate, symptoms commonly associated with autism and ADHD." As always, glad to see research back up autistic learned wisdom.
autismspectrumnews.org/could-it-be-... #autism #ADHD #neurodiversity
autismspectrumnews.org/could-it-be-... #autism #ADHD #neurodiversity
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
Michelle and I loved reading to this bright group of kids today!
We hope this new Chicago Public Library branch at the Obama Presidential Center will be a place where folks come to read, check out books, and connect with one another for years to come.
We hope this new Chicago Public Library branch at the Obama Presidential Center will be a place where folks come to read, check out books, and connect with one another for years to come.
June 20, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Michelle and I loved reading to this bright group of kids today!
We hope this new Chicago Public Library branch at the Obama Presidential Center will be a place where folks come to read, check out books, and connect with one another for years to come.
We hope this new Chicago Public Library branch at the Obama Presidential Center will be a place where folks come to read, check out books, and connect with one another for years to come.
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
These jellyfish larvae:
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June 14, 2026 at 4:14 PM
These jellyfish larvae:
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Reposted by Sparklie Brain
Squirrel asks human for a drink of water.
June 13, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Squirrel asks human for a drink of water.
Reposted by Sparklie Brain
This is probably the most traditional possible behavior for the family of a pope.
June 10, 2026 at 7:45 PM
This is probably the most traditional possible behavior for the family of a pope.