Overview

#ActuallyAutistic is a hashtag created by and for autistic people to distinguish their voices from non-autistic advocates, parents, and organizations like Autism Speaks. The movement promotes autism acceptance (not “awareness”), neurodiversity, and autistic self-advocacy.

Origins and Purpose

Created around 2013, #ActuallyAutistic emerged from frustration that autism conversations were dominated by:

• Parents of autistic children (not autistic adults themselves)
• Organizations led by non-autistic people (e.g., Autism Speaks)
• Medical model framing autism as disease to cure

The hashtag asserts: “Nothing About Us Without Us”—autistic people should lead conversations about autism.

Autism Acceptance vs. Awareness

Awareness (rejected):

• Frames autism as tragedy
• Seeks to “raise awareness” as if autism is problem
• Promotes “curing” or “preventing” autism

Acceptance (promoted):

• Autism is neurological difference, not disease
• Autistic people deserve accommodation and respect
• Society should change, not autistic people

Key Advocacy Issues

Opposing ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis): Many autistic adults describe ABA as traumatic, teaching compliance and masking rather than supporting autistic needs.

Against Autism Speaks: The organization (founded 2005) faced widespread autistic community opposition for:

• No autistic board members (until 2015)
• “cure” rhetoric and dehumanizing messaging
• Promoting ABA
• Low percentage of budget on family services

Promoting Neurodiversity: Autism is natural variation, not defect. Strengths include pattern recognition, focus, honesty, creativity.

Supporting Communication Access:

• AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) devices
• Typing/text-based communication
• Respecting nonspeaking autistic people’s agency

Rejecting “Functioning Labels”: “High/low functioning” labels are harmful. Support needs fluctuate; someone verbal may struggle with daily tasks.

Cultural Impact

#ActuallyAutistic empowered autistic self-advocacy and challenged parent/professional-dominated narratives. It influenced:

• Shift from “Autism Awareness Month” (April, blue lights) to “Autism Acceptance Month” (infinity symbol, red instead)
• More autistic characters written by autistic creators
• Recognition of autistic adults (not just children)

Intersectionality

The movement addresses:

• Autistic people of color (underdiagnosed, face compounded discrimination)
• LGBTQ+ autistic people (higher rates than general population)
• Autistic women/non-binary people (missed diagnoses due to gendered criteria)
• Late-diagnosed adults reclaiming identity

References

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
• NeuroClastic (autistic-run publication)
• “Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking” anthology
• Research by autistic scholars (Damian Milton, Monique Botha, etc.)