A4: I like to think that visible autistic/nd pride helps make other people question their assumptions about lives that are frequently devalued, and why we would value the experience of being disabled, even though our lives are harder.
#AutChat
#AutChat
Q4: What role do you think autistic/neurodivergent pride plays in autistic/neurodivergent communities?
In the broader world?
#AutChat
In the broader world?
#AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 10:54 PM
A4: I like to think that visible autistic/nd pride helps make other people question their assumptions about lives that are frequently devalued, and why we would value the experience of being disabled, even though our lives are harder.
#AutChat
#AutChat
A4: We live in a world where regardless of your diagnosis, the undiagnosed and official such still have to deal with social ostracization, due to being "different". With pride and positivity comes better understanding and a desire to work with your difference, which isn't taught very often. #AutChat
Q4: What role do you think autistic/neurodivergent pride plays in autistic/neurodivergent communities?
In the broader world?
#AutChat
In the broader world?
#AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM
A4: We live in a world where regardless of your diagnosis, the undiagnosed and official such still have to deal with social ostracization, due to being "different". With pride and positivity comes better understanding and a desire to work with your difference, which isn't taught very often. #AutChat
I guess you can say in a way, I have transcended it? I realize that with neurodivergence will come sensitivities that in this world of the dead, is very important to learn from. My relationship has brought me spiritual understanding and helped me make peace with things like sexual desires. #AutChat
Q3: Has your relationship to the idea of autistic/neurodivergent pride changed over time? #AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:53 PM
I guess you can say in a way, I have transcended it? I realize that with neurodivergence will come sensitivities that in this world of the dead, is very important to learn from. My relationship has brought me spiritual understanding and helped me make peace with things like sexual desires. #AutChat
A2: Kayla Smith introduced to me #AutisticBlackPride because when discussing autism, black people are very often left out of the conversation. Our pride operates similarly as any other: learning yourself, loving yourself and the will to educate even our own about what neurodivergence is. #AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:49 PM
A2: Kayla Smith introduced to me #AutisticBlackPride because when discussing autism, black people are very often left out of the conversation. Our pride operates similarly as any other: learning yourself, loving yourself and the will to educate even our own about what neurodivergence is. #AutChat
A1: Autistic/neurodivergent pride simply means never being afraid of what you have and how you are, being able to learn best about how you work compared to anyone else, what that means... Just realizing that it doesn't have to be a hindrance. It really can be a signpost to your survival. #AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:43 PM
A1: Autistic/neurodivergent pride simply means never being afraid of what you have and how you are, being able to learn best about how you work compared to anyone else, what that means... Just realizing that it doesn't have to be a hindrance. It really can be a signpost to your survival. #AutChat
I don't know why exactly, but I find it very soothing to know there are other people out there experiencing the world the same way I do.
#AutChat
#AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:24 PM
I don't know why exactly, but I find it very soothing to know there are other people out there experiencing the world the same way I do.
#AutChat
#AutChat
I most certainly didn't invent this, but I definitely live in a space of knowing that I'm weird by mainstream standards… and I think mainstream standards are weird
And I think it's really important for any group of people to have some people asking "really?"
#AutChat
And I think it's really important for any group of people to have some people asking "really?"
#AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:23 PM
I most certainly didn't invent this, but I definitely live in a space of knowing that I'm weird by mainstream standards… and I think mainstream standards are weird
And I think it's really important for any group of people to have some people asking "really?"
#AutChat
And I think it's really important for any group of people to have some people asking "really?"
#AutChat
I thought it was drawing that comparison: my relationship with my mind-body is similar to your relationship with your gender-sexuality, so you're queer and I'm neuroqueer -- rather than describing a queer ND person. I still like my first understanding best!
#AutChat
#AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:17 PM
I thought it was drawing that comparison: my relationship with my mind-body is similar to your relationship with your gender-sexuality, so you're queer and I'm neuroqueer -- rather than describing a queer ND person. I still like my first understanding best!
#AutChat
#AutChat
I feel like there's so much overlap between being ND and being queer. It makes me feel a strong affinity and fondness for queer people. But because I'm not queer, I'm never sure whether I'm just projecting, so I tend to keep those thoughts inside lol. When I first saw the term neuroqueer,
#AutChat
#AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:17 PM
I feel like there's so much overlap between being ND and being queer. It makes me feel a strong affinity and fondness for queer people. But because I'm not queer, I'm never sure whether I'm just projecting, so I tend to keep those thoughts inside lol. When I first saw the term neuroqueer,
#AutChat
#AutChat
A4: A gleeful self-acceptance can exist even as we learn to adapt and live with the many struggles that come with autism and neurodivergence
I think there's an important role that Joy must play in the midst of everything else.
#AutChat
I think there's an important role that Joy must play in the midst of everything else.
#AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:10 PM
A4: A gleeful self-acceptance can exist even as we learn to adapt and live with the many struggles that come with autism and neurodivergence
I think there's an important role that Joy must play in the midst of everything else.
#AutChat
I think there's an important role that Joy must play in the midst of everything else.
#AutChat
A4: I think a focus on cures has come back to the Disability Community as a reaction to LC radically changin wat our communities look like (no shade just facts)
I think we've lost focus on the Joy we can have as a Neurodivergent community. We can commiserate over our struggles AND triumpha
#AutChat
I think we've lost focus on the Joy we can have as a Neurodivergent community. We can commiserate over our struggles AND triumpha
#AutChat
Q4: What role do you think autistic/neurodivergent pride plays in autistic/neurodivergent communities?
In the broader world?
#AutChat
In the broader world?
#AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:10 PM
A4: I think a focus on cures has come back to the Disability Community as a reaction to LC radically changin wat our communities look like (no shade just facts)
I think we've lost focus on the Joy we can have as a Neurodivergent community. We can commiserate over our struggles AND triumpha
#AutChat
I think we've lost focus on the Joy we can have as a Neurodivergent community. We can commiserate over our struggles AND triumpha
#AutChat
thing that harmed me. Now I might cause harm. It takes *so much work* (for me, anyway) to live in the simultaneous truth that 1) they are doing something harmful and 2) they themselves aren't any more inherently harmful than I am
#AutChat
#AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:08 PM
thing that harmed me. Now I might cause harm. It takes *so much work* (for me, anyway) to live in the simultaneous truth that 1) they are doing something harmful and 2) they themselves aren't any more inherently harmful than I am
#AutChat
#AutChat
This may not be what it means to you, but you remind me of my observation that it's dangerously easy to become merely the flip side of the thing that harms you. That group says I'm bad and shouldn't exist? Maybe that group is bad and shouldn't exist! And oops: now I'm doing the same exact
#AutChat
#AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:08 PM
This may not be what it means to you, but you remind me of my observation that it's dangerously easy to become merely the flip side of the thing that harms you. That group says I'm bad and shouldn't exist? Maybe that group is bad and shouldn't exist! And oops: now I'm doing the same exact
#AutChat
#AutChat
Bluesky's Top 10 Trending Words (past 60min):
💨x203 - sirianni
💨x1* - epstein 🔓
💨x161 - apuração
💨x151 - chism
💨x1* - ukraine 🔓
💨x1* - democracy 🔓
💨x105 - apuradas
💨x1* - gaza 🔓
💨x90 - nordeste
💨x89 - efton
*🔓 = Unlocked Emergency Words (see img)
#йобанарусня 🇺🇦
(Something not right? Reply!)
![Emoji Legend
💨x# | "Increased Trending Rate" for a Word (meaningful value; "💨x8 - burger" will mean "burger" is trending at 8 times its own normal rate for this time of day)
🔓 | "Unlocked" Ongoing Emergency Word (such words are not weighted down by their own previous usage; their *ongoing* increased usage--weeks, months, years--would otherwise move them down the list.)
[PREVIOUSLY USED]
⚠️💨# | "Trend Strength Rating"
⚠️🌀💨 | "Trend Strength Rating" (see above)
⚠️🌀 CAT. # | [same; "CAT." = Category, like hurricane]
💬# | 10min Post Count
🆎# | 10min Word Count
🙂# | 10min Emoji Count](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:k43ha6nlknmdw4owymqnvcat/bafkreigp6bgag3jzkool6uxrujpcrwtn6zkd7cbfrmevhaxaqhhewgolmu)
October 4, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Feel free to suggest ideas for #AutChat topics (or offer to help write questions)! For scheduled topics, see autchat.com
Every topic we've ever run: autchat.com/all-topics/ We're happy to rerun past chats we haven't revisited in a while, especially now that we’re on a new platform!
Every topic we've ever run: autchat.com/all-topics/ We're happy to rerun past chats we haven't revisited in a while, especially now that we’re on a new platform!
October 4, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Feel free to suggest ideas for #AutChat topics (or offer to help write questions)! For scheduled topics, see autchat.com
Every topic we've ever run: autchat.com/all-topics/ We're happy to rerun past chats we haven't revisited in a while, especially now that we’re on a new platform!
Every topic we've ever run: autchat.com/all-topics/ We're happy to rerun past chats we haven't revisited in a while, especially now that we’re on a new platform!
A3: My relationship with accepting myself has definitely evolved
I've always done my best to be myself but I've definitely continued to mask more than I consciously intend to. I'm working on that in therapy now
#AutChat
I've always done my best to be myself but I've definitely continued to mask more than I consciously intend to. I'm working on that in therapy now
#AutChat
Q3: Has your relationship to the idea of autistic/neurodivergent pride changed over time? #AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:02 PM
A3: My relationship with accepting myself has definitely evolved
I've always done my best to be myself but I've definitely continued to mask more than I consciously intend to. I'm working on that in therapy now
#AutChat
I've always done my best to be myself but I've definitely continued to mask more than I consciously intend to. I'm working on that in therapy now
#AutChat
is improved expectations & abilities. But another part is the understanding that every life form is a miraculous accident. There's no template, no ideal. Variations from our imaginary norm are just that: variations. They aren't things to be fixed, cured, eliminated, masked. They simply are #AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:01 PM
is improved expectations & abilities. But another part is the understanding that every life form is a miraculous accident. There's no template, no ideal. Variations from our imaginary norm are just that: variations. They aren't things to be fixed, cured, eliminated, masked. They simply are #AutChat
A3: no, because I don't have a robust relationship with it? But my self-love, acceptance, and "operating skill" for *my own* autism/ND has definitely changed, and for the better. It was awful when I was younger to try so hard and have no idea why that wasn't enough. Part of the improvement
#AutChat
#AutChat
Q3: Has your relationship to the idea of autistic/neurodivergent pride changed over time? #AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:01 PM
A3: no, because I don't have a robust relationship with it? But my self-love, acceptance, and "operating skill" for *my own* autism/ND has definitely changed, and for the better. It was awful when I was younger to try so hard and have no idea why that wasn't enough. Part of the improvement
#AutChat
#AutChat
A2: The #ActuallyAutistic community used to talk a lot about movin away from "cure mindset"
Mask less. Accept ourselves & love ourselves so we can have people in our lives that do the same!
That I couldn't agree with more
The older I get the more determined I am to be my autistic self!
#AutChat
Mask less. Accept ourselves & love ourselves so we can have people in our lives that do the same!
That I couldn't agree with more
The older I get the more determined I am to be my autistic self!
#AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:00 PM
A2: The #ActuallyAutistic community used to talk a lot about movin away from "cure mindset"
Mask less. Accept ourselves & love ourselves so we can have people in our lives that do the same!
That I couldn't agree with more
The older I get the more determined I am to be my autistic self!
#AutChat
Mask less. Accept ourselves & love ourselves so we can have people in our lives that do the same!
That I couldn't agree with more
The older I get the more determined I am to be my autistic self!
#AutChat
A2: I've mostly seen talk of "Pride" in reference to Disability and even that is extremely new.
Until this year people like Alice Wong and Tinu Paul were heeded when they said it was appropriative but now they're gone and people seem to have forgotten
#AutChat
Until this year people like Alice Wong and Tinu Paul were heeded when they said it was appropriative but now they're gone and people seem to have forgotten
#AutChat
Q2: Have you seen other people in autistic/neurodivergent communities discussing autistic/neurodivergent pride?
Are there differences or similarities to how you think about it?
#AutChat
Are there differences or similarities to how you think about it?
#AutChat
October 4, 2026 at 9:00 PM
A2: I've mostly seen talk of "Pride" in reference to Disability and even that is extremely new.
Until this year people like Alice Wong and Tinu Paul were heeded when they said it was appropriative but now they're gone and people seem to have forgotten
#AutChat
Until this year people like Alice Wong and Tinu Paul were heeded when they said it was appropriative but now they're gone and people seem to have forgotten
#AutChat
Next Sunday’s #AutChat is on attraction and orientation (sexual, romantic, etc). October 11, 1pm Pacific / 4pm Eastern / 20:00 UTC / 9pm BST on BlueSky. autchat.com/attraction-a...
If you know anyone who might be interested and is autistic/similarly neurodivergent, we encourage you to invite them.
If you know anyone who might be interested and is autistic/similarly neurodivergent, we encourage you to invite them.
October 4, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Next Sunday’s #AutChat is on attraction and orientation (sexual, romantic, etc). October 11, 1pm Pacific / 4pm Eastern / 20:00 UTC / 9pm BST on BlueSky. autchat.com/attraction-a...
If you know anyone who might be interested and is autistic/similarly neurodivergent, we encourage you to invite them.
If you know anyone who might be interested and is autistic/similarly neurodivergent, we encourage you to invite them.
Q0: Introduce yourself! Say anything you like about yourself or your interest in #AutChat or in today's topic, Autistic and neurodivergent pride.
Quick reference for this week's #AutChat questions (please wait till they're posted to answer): autchat.com/autistic-and...
Quick reference for this week's #AutChat questions (please wait till they're posted to answer): autchat.com/autistic-and...
October 4, 2026 at 8:53 PM