Wow. Fascinating stuff. Thanks for the info.

Thanks so much for all the information! This sounds like a pretty huge deal, so I’m really glad I ran across this thread. I’ll never misspell Autism $peaks ever again. ;)

The thing is, the autism spectrum isn’t made up of just “high functioning” and “low functioning”. There are various shades of grey, with many people functioning better in some areas and worse in others. It’s not an either/or thing. There’s a saying that if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with…

I think she was speaking to the Autism Speaks’ blue puzzle piece, which is their insignia. You can “light it up blue” for Autism based off of it. As a general aside from this article, Autism Speaks is a terrible charity; anti neurodiversity and essentially anti-Autism.

Autism Speaks doesn’t use a puzzle ribbon, they use a puzzle (which is offensive to Autistic people), but yes they do also use the color blue in their logos and in their ‘Light It Up Blue’ campaign because of the myth that boys are overwhelmingly more likely to be diagnosed as Autistic than girls.

So yes, it’s one of…

To clarify, you’re joking right?

I didn’t know that service dogs could serve as an actual barrier for people in your and similar situations, that’s so cool!! Proof that the application of dogs can solve approximately 75% of the world’s problems.

Congratulations! I was exactly the same, and I recently turned 33. Hooray for being alive and out of shitty, abusive homes.

You are so articulate about your experience and challenges! How wonderful! My husband has similar issues, but doesn’t have ability to express feelings around them clearly. You do a service by sharing your reality and the tools you use. <3

Good heavens, what a fascinating and vexing thread. I am so interested to see your, strangerwcandi and cruisedirectorjulie’s posts. I am not epileptic or autistic (though assuredly I would’ve been diagnosed as such as a kid due to extreme shyness and selective mutism), but those images (and strobes, bright lights,…

I feel your pain. While this isn’t going to make me have a seizure, it makes my brain hurt for lack of better words. I don’t like it. And it’s really mean of someone to post something like that. And for others to encourage him or her to do it.

You’re not too sensitive. It was a dick move, and it wasn’t funny.

I’ve noticed that myself over the couple years I’ve been reading Gawker blogs, sometimes some readers are so quick to spring up and talk down to folks less fortunate than themselves. It breaks my heart to see it happen.

I know that’s supposed to be funny but it wasn’t for me. I’m not epileptic but strobe lights, especially multicolored ones, are among the top three triggers for my migraines. I was slowly scrolling down, reading the comments and now I’ve got a big Technicolor blinking frog burned behind my eyes.

I really hate talking about this but when people yell, honk, scare, touch me etc.. it sends me into an instant rage. Ex: now it’s hard for me to attend weddings. And I like weddings. I also have had to explain to my 8yo daughter several times not to scare daddy because I’m afraid I’m going to respond with a fist. It’s…

I recognize it. As I said, it’s not at a speed fast enough to make me have a seizure. But it’s a dick move. You’re right, I didn’t find it funny. I’m too sensitive around this subject I guess.

Maybe I could’ve phrased that better. I was making fun of him for suggesting that a seconds-long gif couldn’t hurt the guy even though gifs..... tend to loop.

Thanks, this disabled woman appreciates it.

The only thing surprising about this story is that he did anything at all for the non-Ivanka daughter.

Yes; it looks like he’s practiced in a mirror to try to copy what a real smile looks like.