What I had to lead with instead was clarity about direction, genuine curiosity about the perspective of team members, and enough honesty to say, "I think this is the right call, but tell me what I am missing."

“With the advent of technology, everyone else is enjoying seamless banking services except the blind. We have repeatedly urged banks, including the major ones, to invest in technology that protects our accounts and enables independent transactions, but to no avail.”

Exceeding Expectations: The Power of Autistic Self-Advocacy and Independent Living Growing up on the autism spectrum, I was frequently subjected to a myriad of preconceived notions regarding my capabilities. Because autism is a lifelong developmental disability that introduces complex social and executive functioning challenges, observers often view it through a lens of limitation. Throughout my life, I have been described in vastly contrasting terms - some deeply complimenta

(Author's Note: This blog post is intended to be a general guide for the wider autistic community, since the whole autistic community could benefit from the material covered here). The Reality of the Lifelong Journey For many in the autism community, daily life is a complex navigation of social communication, executive functioning, and the "unexpected" behaviors that others often misjudge. While these hurdles can be managed through therapy, support, and sheer resilience, it i

Neelroop Parikshak - UCLA Health - https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/brains-of-people-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-share-similar-molecular-abnormalities The Necessity of Stimming: A Call for Neurological Empathy The autism spectrum is a complex neurological reality, not a list of behavioral "deficits." While every autistic individual perceives the world through a unique lens, we all share a common need: the ability to regulate our sensory systems. For many, this is achieved

The Power of Presence: Why Self-Advocacy is Non-Negotiable Being an effective self-advocate is the bridge between merely "having" a disability and thriving with one. In both academic and professional spheres, the world expects disabled individuals to meet the same standards as their peers. While "reasonable accommodations" exist on paper, they remain locked doors until we use our voices as the key. Choosing to disclose a disability is a strategic, personal decision, but it i

Author's Note and Disclaimer: Readers should be aware that the formal and extensive vocabulary used in this post (and the author's work generally) is a reflection of the author's autistic background. This specific blog post is a personal account documenting the author's autism spectrum journey and detailing the progress and maturation achieved through resources utilized over the course of their life. The Triumph of an Autistic Journey As a man on the autism spectrum, I have n

During the early stages of our childhood it was often hard for us to determine what our actions would do to others and their emotions, for parents this proves to be a challenging endeavor to teach children what emotions are and to treat others and themselves when they are feeling these emotions. How do you teach a child what “anxious” feels like? Or help them recognize when someone is “excited”?

The ability to receive and act upon constructive criticism is widely recognized as the bedrock of maturity and professional growth. True progression, however, is not solely dependent on the recipient's willingness to be humble; it also hinges on the giver's responsibility to deliver feedback with respect and intention. Too often, valuable input is poisoned by a derogatory tone, transforming potential guidance into needless cruelty. My life as an autistic person has been de

It is important to understand the complexities of the autism spectrum, as well as the unique ways in which autistic individuals navigate social situations. As an autistic person, I have often found it challenging to elaborate on my own experiences when faced with responses like, "Oh, I wouldn't have known," or "What is that?" Autism is a neurological condition where the brains of autistic people are wired differently, affecting their ability to engage in reciprocal social con

Another vital lesson was to avoid repetitive sharing with the same people in consecutive conversations. I once irritated a peer by doing so, who responded, "You told us..." as if I were being random or unnecessary. My intention, whether sharing repetitively or out of context, was never to be annoying. Instead, it was a combination of approval-seeking - a common autistic trait - and subconsciously gauging reactions from my neurotypical peers to assess their level of judgment.

Inaccessible design in game development causes many potential players to be left out of the fun and connections games bring to people's lives. This causes problems like social exclusion in the game development community which is already struggling with inclusivity.

My childhood as an autistic individual presented unique complexities. Undiagnosed until the age of nine, my behaviors were often misconstrued and judged. Fortunately, I was blessed with an incredibly supportive family. Upon receiving my diagnosis of what was then known as Asperger’s, my parents proactively researched and adopted techniques to address the evolving needs brought on by my autism. A particularly challenging aspect of my formative years involved my mother, a truly

But what I didn’t realize was how damaging that mindset could be. I had nowhere safe to talk or release my stress. Over time, those bottled-up emotions built into an overwhelming storm. I found myself crying in private, breaking down after holding it all in for so long. At first, I didn’t recognize that I needed help. I thought I just had to push through, stay strong like I had always been told. But holding in all that stress was not healthy mentally, emotionally, or physical

As a neurodivergent individual on the autism spectrum, my journey has been marked by significant hurdles stemming from societal gaps in education, understanding, and the tailored skill development necessary to unlock my full potential. While autism presents lifelong challenges that can initially seem insurmountable, the unwavering support I've been fortunate to receive has been instrumental in reaching my present achievements. Early Intervention My early engagement with cruci

Imagine trying to fill out an online scholarship form but being unable to read the instructions, or wanting to register for a job portal but getting stuck on the homepage. For over 1.3 billion people globally who live with some form of disability, these aren’t hypothetical scenarios; they're daily realities.

The autism spectrum entails a variety of tendencies that could manifest as unexpected behaviors in social situations. These tendencies could include, but are not limited to: the autistic person dominating conversations about themselves and their specially-focused interests without asking about the other person, self-stimulating behaviors such as arm-flapping, rocking their bodies back and forth, hair-twirling, shouting out words and phrases repetitively, walking and pacing in

"To be disabled in Nigeria is to be undesirable, unwelcomed, and unaccepted. It’s a lonely, scary, and isolated place." These were the heartbreaking tweets 1 of Mr. Debola Daniel on X (formerly called Twitter). Debola Daniel, the son of a prominent Nigerian politician made this tweet after he was denied entry into a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant popularly known as KFC at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The reason? Wheelchairs were not allowed into the rest

As an autistic man, I've navigated a treacherous path, riddled with both triumphs and the sting of societal indifference. While I've experienced the cruelties of misunderstanding and the deliberate ignorance of my autistic tendencies, I've also had the fortune to access resources that have nurtured my growth into a confident and self-assured individual. My social experiences, both within and outside the autistic community, have profoundly shaped my understanding of the social

While autistic individuals also have a responsibility to develop effective self-advocacy skills, it is crucial to recognize that many of the social challenges faced by autistic individuals stem from a lack of understanding and acceptance within the neurotypical world.