I’ve been following a series of brilliant posts written by Bev at Asperger Square 8 about her reflections and development of a checklist regarding neurotypical privilege.
For parents like us who live in a very insular world of toddlers and early elementary school children, we tend to completely miss the broader conversations going on about what kind of society and culture our autistic children are growing into. And by being so focused on everything going on in the present (though understandably so) we also miss out on seeing all the possibilities that are waiting out there for our children’s futures. Within the chaos of everyday life, perspective is hard to come by. But this – among many other reasons – is why if you aren’t reading blogs written by autistic adults, you should be. (Asperger Square 8 can – and should – be one of your first stops.)
But enough of my typical rambling preamble. Check out her latest draft of “The Checklist of Neurotypical Privilege” – it’s eye-opening and challenging and brilliantly written. And for me at least, it is one of those landmark, defining pieces of writing I’ll be coming back to over and over again for both a swift kick in the butt and some real perspective on how to be the best possible parent to the J-Man and advocate for autistic persons of all ages.
Biggest lesson I’ve learned so far from reading her work? I have a lot to learn.
Note – You should be able to follow future revisions to her checklist at http://aspergersquare8.blogspot.com/search/label/privilege.
Posts that hopefully are similar:
- Happy World Autism Awareness Day!
- Five Things You Can Do If You Think Your Child Has Autism
- Is “Asperger’s” on the way out?
- This Little Light
- The Clinical Definitions of Autism, Asperger’s, and PDD-NOS
- Looking Out Beyond Our Horizon
- And Now We Will Hold You To It
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
That is awesome. It’s going on the facebook page.
Wow! Thanks for that Tim.
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the link and the good review! I’m happy to find your blog. It’s always nice to find writing by parents who are supporting autistic kids in positive ways, and who take an interest in the thoughts of autistic adults.
Best wishes,
Bev
Hi Bev,
We’re honored you stopped by! It wasn’t hard originally to find your blog; just about everybody I read or listened to mentioned your blog as a must read!
I’ve been reading your work regularly for quite some time and look forward to continuing to follow your work on your Checklist. I really do think that what you’re creating is one of those definitive, standard-defining pieces that many, many people will be referencing and referring back to for a long time to come.
Thanks again!