Autistic Research Participants Needed: Fleur Wiorkowski, an autistic PhD dissertation research student is seeking to bring the voices of those on the autism spectrum into the research conversation regarding higher education.
If you are:
- an adult on the autism spectrum
- have attended college/university (at any time in your life - you don't have to be enrolled right now)
My diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 25 brought with it an interesting mix of emotions. First on the list was an incredible sense of relief and validation. After too many years of wondering why things seemed so hard for me, and why I was never able to just “get it,” I finally had an explanation. I felt like I had been given permission not to feel weak, lazy, and deeply flawed.
My psychologist compared growing up with a diagnosis to running a marathon with prosthetic legs, and growing up without a diagnosis to trying to run a marathon with no legs at all. For the first time, I felt like someone understood how hard I had worked to get to this point in my life. I finally knew the reason why I often had to put forth more effort than others, yet had less to show for it.
Each time my self-advocacy is called into question by critics of the autism/neurodiversity movement, I close my eyes & see my mother's smiling face. My mother accepts me for who I am; she "gets me" and that means everything! I often wonder if the autism/anti-neurodiversity parent activists who choose to criticize and verbally attack autistic adults realize that we are someone's child? Have these critics stopped to realize that their child will one day be us, an adult on the autism spectrum?
Greetings and welcome to the Autism Women's Network! AWN is dedicated to building a community of autistic girls and women, their families, friends and supporters. A place where all can share their experiences amongst a diverse, inclusive supportive and positive environment. We invite you to take a look around and join us today.
Forum: TheForum topics are designed to inspire meaningful discussions which focus on issues relevant to girls and women on the autism spectrum. It is our goal to successfully accomplish a portion of AWN's mission by building an interactive community. With this in mind, the forum is set up to further include neurotypical (NT) family, friends, teachers, psychologist, etc., so as to offer a productive and meaningful avenue by which we can engage in a healthy exchange of ideas.
Autistic Research Participants Needed: Fleur Wiorkowski, an autistic PhD dissertation research student is seeking to bring the voices of those on the autism spectrum into the research conversation regarding higher education. 
My diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 25 brought with it an interesting mix of emotions. First on the list was an incredible sense of relief and validation. After too many years of wondering why things seemed so hard for me, and why I was never able to just “get it,” I finally had an explanation. I felt like I had been given permission not to feel weak, lazy, and deeply flawed.
Each time my self-advocacy is called into question by critics of the autism/neurodiversity movement, I close my eyes & see my mother's smiling face. My mother accepts me for who I am; she "gets me" and that means everything! I often wonder if the autism/anti-neurodiversity parent activists who choose to criticize and verbally attack autistic adults realize that we are someone's child? Have these critics stopped to realize that their child will one day be us, an adult on the autism spectrum?
Greetings and welcome to the Autism Women's Network! AWN is dedicated to building a community of autistic girls and women, their families, friends and supporters. A place where all can share their experiences amongst a diverse, inclusive supportive and positive environment. We invite you to take a look around and join us today.
