Awareness leads to Acceptance leads to Appreciation. Let’s take a look at April Autism Awareness Month…

I gotta thank the UN for their lead role in changing how we look at autistic people.

I’m autistic. In my 70s. I used to DREAD April. Lot of celebration around Autism…

But no pictures of people like me.

I’m a blogger, podcaster and… aspiring… artist. Like many autists I didn’t succeed in the consumer-oriented world. So let’s say, my very real contributions to society weren’t… celebrated.

That all changed last year. 2023. I was honored to take part in UN World Autism Awareness Day. I sat on a panel with other artists. Different countries, backgrounds, schooling, races, creeds.

All autistic. All fascinating.

We got to talk openly about our art… and our lives.

I felt seen. Accepted. Respected. Exhilirating! And a bit terrifying…

And apparently I was seen. Sure, I now get the occasional commission for my autistic-themed art.

But what really gets me? All the conversations I’ve had since then about autism with professionals, families, educators… who saw me as a human. Not a poster child.

Wouldn’t have happened without someone as important as the United Nations making that shift.

If you wanna know more about real autistic individuals, I say make sure you catch this important event.

And if YOU are autistic, I say tune in anyway. It’s our time to take the spotlight now. And it can be a blast. You deserve it.

Transcript

I’m autistic. In my 70s. Last year, I participated in the UN World Autism Awareness Day. An honor!

But like many adult autists, I had, well… mixed feelings about Autism Awareness month.

Let’s just say I’d never seen anyone who looked like me in the presentations.

I’m a blogger, podcaster and… aspiring… artist. Like many autists I didn’t succeed in the consumer-oriented world. My very real contributions weren’t… celebrated.

That all changed last year. I sat on a panel with other artists in 2023. Different countries, schooling, races, creeds.

All autistic. All fascinating.

We got to talk openly about our art… and our lives.

I felt seen. Respected. Exhilirating! And a bit terrifying…

What really mattered? All the conversations I’ve had since about autism. With professionals, families, educators… They saw me as a human. Not a poster child.

If you wanna know real autistic life, catch this important event.

And if YOU are autistic, join in comments. It’s our time to take the spotlight now. It can be a blast. You deserve it.

For This Autistic Elder, School Was a F***ing Job – #AutisticAF Out Loud

School is a job.School is just pre-training for working for the Man.School is a job.Kids clock in at 3. They never clock out.Not even on social security.The Man reminds you who’s boss.Monthly check by monthly check.And like any check… Ya gotta work to keep it.Retirement’s a fucking job, too.#ActuallyAutistic* If this excerpt grabbed you… more here: The Book: Frag by Frag.This is Fragment 11 of my upcoming autobiography, Autistic Noir, arriving Fall 2026.I’m building a book out loud. Frag by frag. Just like I lived it.The Next ActDon’t trust a corporate algorithm’s decision about whether you get to see the next excerpt or not.Join my Substack for free… and the next fragment comes straight to your inbox. And you get a free digital download of my complete poetry chapbook.* I’m writing an autobiography… out loud. Frag by frag. Just like I lived it. Unlock the next act for free.Why I Write My AutobiographyI’m only an expert on my own life. Born 1953, diagnosed at 63. Your mileage will vary.Individual marginalized voices speaking truth out loud? They build bridges to mainstream readers. Think Malcolm X. Think Maya Angelou. Think Janet Mock’s Redefining Realness.This Fall, I hope to deliver that kind of impact, that power with Autistic Noir: My Autistic Life is My Art. For our neurodivergent community.Since 2019 I’ve published a quarter of a million words. Over half the size of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.Gotta be a pony somewhere in that shit.Click to get the next frag in your inbox… free. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnyprofaneknapp.substack.com/subscribe

1. For This Autistic Elder, School Was a F***ing Job 00:42
2. Autistic Noir: They Called It "Immaturity." They Missed Every Red Flag 28:55
3. When "Kind" Words… Hurt: An Autistic Elder on Microaggressions 02:12
4. Family, God & Vodka Neat…? My Autistic Elder’s Truth 11:27
5. 7 Autistic Decades. I'm Still Driven. What If I NEVER Get “There…”? 10:42

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