So many of us had been taught we had to hide ourselves. Yet the more we joined in community with one another, the less pressure to mask we felt. By spending time with other Autistic people, I began to see that life didn’t have to be all hidden anguish. When I was around other Autistics, I was more able to be blunt and direct. I could ask for accommodations, such as dimming the lights or opening a window to dilute the stench of somebody’s perfume. The more other people around me relaxed, spoke passionately about their special interests, and rocked in place excitedly, the less shame I felt about
...more
