An article exploring Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) as an autistic profile, detailing its characteristics, the debate around its name (Persistent Drive for Autonomy), its links to anxiety, trauma, and ADHD, and challenges in diagnosis.

This blog post by Amanda Diekman reframes "bad behavior" in children, particularly those with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), as communication of stress and nervous system responses. It advocates for a low-demand approach, emphasizing understanding and support over traditional discipline.

This page defines Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) as a profile of autism characterized by an extreme drive for autonomy and resistance to demands due to an activated nervous system. It offers insights for parents on understanding and supporting PDA children.

A resource defining and explaining autistic burnout as a state of pervasive exhaustion and diminished capacity resulting from continuous masking, coping, and living up to demands out of sync with autistic needs.

An essay arguing for a paradigm shift from the pathology model of neurodivergence (specifically Autism) to the neurodiversity paradigm for liberation and empowerment. It advocates for rejecting the concept of "normal" and the "master's tools".

An essay defining and introducing the concept of neuroqueer and neuroqueering, exploring its origins, connection to Queer Theory, and its role in the Neurodiversity Paradigm.

Advocacy for autistic people to take ownership of the 'autism' label, reject the pathology paradigm, and frame autism through the social model of disability and the neurodiversity movement to fight discrimination and claim civil rights.

Explores the strong association between mast cells, mast cell activation, and autism. The resource explains how immune system dysfunction can lead to neuroinflammation, affecting core autism symptoms, and outlines potential medical treatments.

The largest study to date confirms that gender-diverse people are 3-6 times more likely to be autistic than cisgender people. The research found a significant overlap and higher rates of autistic traits.

An article on the differences between autistic and allistic communication styles, offering tips for neurotypical people to adjust their style to better interact with autistic people and reduce misunderstanding.

An article by Dr. Damian Milton explaining the "double empathy problem" theory. It suggests communication issues between autistic and non-autistic people are mutual, stemming from a difference in world experience, challenging the 'deficit' model of autism.

A concise, evidence-based definition of autism that aligns with the neurodiversity paradigm, framing it as a genetically-based human neurological variant with high synaptic connectivity, leading to intense sensory and cognitive experiences.

An article exploring the difference between autistic and neurotypical emotional experiences, highlighting "very grand emotions" (Justice, Truth, Passion) as core values for autistics and explaining inter-neurotype communication challenges.

An article discussing Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) as a profile of autism, its history, why accurate diagnosis and distinct strategies are crucial, and the current clinical and research understanding.

An exploration of the experience of sensory overload, where environmental input becomes overwhelming and distressing for a neurodivergent person.

An autistic counselor's personal vignette on burnout, detailing the stress of work and family life, leading to mental/physical exhaustion, loss of speech, and emotional repression.