Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 1d

"I would love to see sex ed for Autistics that helps them correctly identify that ppl who abuse them are responsible for their actions. That consent matters more than social expectations. That their needs & boundaries are not things that should be adjusted simply to maintain the comfort of others."

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 1d

What Should Sex Ed for Autistic people look like? Not only in teaching consent & red flags, not just recognizing the sexuality of people with I/DD, but also how we can uplift & normalize the pleasure & autonomy of Autistic people. By Morrigan; CN: Rape/abuse:

thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/what...

What Should Sex Ed for Autistic People Look Like? — THINKING PERSON'S GUIDE TO AUTISM

Sex ed for Autistic people usually emphasizes compliance with neurotypical expectations, not self-advocacy—which pains me, as a survivor.

thinkingautismguide.com

2 13 47

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 1d

"I would love to see sex ed for Autistics that helps them correctly identify that ppl who abuse them are responsible for their actions. That consent matters more than social expectations. That their needs & boundaries are not things that should be adjusted simply to maintain the comfort of others."

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 1d

What Should Sex Ed for Autistic people look like? Not only in teaching consent & red flags, not just recognizing the sexuality of people with I/DD, but also how we can uplift & normalize the pleasure & autonomy of Autistic people. By Morrigan; CN: Rape/abuse:

thinkingautismguide.com/2025/10/what...

What Should Sex Ed for Autistic People Look Like? — THINKING PERSON'S GUIDE TO AUTISM

Sex ed for Autistic people usually emphasizes compliance with neurotypical expectations, not self-advocacy—which pains me, as a survivor.

thinkingautismguide.com

2 13 47

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

SpookyDFahnz🧚🏽‍♀️🌈 @dfahnz.bsky.social · 1d

Piggybacking on this lovely thought to add that our joy comes from all different, non-stereotypical places. For me it’s candlemaking and sharing,

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 2d

…and I would note that autistic joy is a thing regardless of an autistic person's support profile. My high-support autistic son is capable of more joy than anyone I've ever met.

#autism #neurodiversity

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 2d

"I ask you to consider that autism itself has the power to bring people joy. I experience happiness to the extreme. I can be entertained by the simplest things. I show ppl love in the most unique ways.” Marcy Hannah Waring, @ejwillingham.bsky.social's TPGA newsletter:

buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...

1 1 2

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Woltergeist II: The Other Side @wolter.bsky.social · 1d

10000 times this. My son requires incredible amounts of support and intervention and his joy lights up a room like a miniature star.

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 2d

…and I would note that autistic joy is a thing regardless of an autistic person's support profile. My high-support autistic son is capable of more joy than anyone I've ever met.

#autism #neurodiversity

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 2d

"I ask you to consider that autism itself has the power to bring people joy. I experience happiness to the extreme. I can be entertained by the simplest things. I show ppl love in the most unique ways.” Marcy Hannah Waring, @ejwillingham.bsky.social's TPGA newsletter:

buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...

7 20

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 2d

…and I would note that autistic joy is a thing regardless of an autistic person's support profile. My high-support autistic son is capable of more joy than anyone I've ever met.

#autism #neurodiversity

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 2d

"I ask you to consider that autism itself has the power to bring people joy. I experience happiness to the extreme. I can be entertained by the simplest things. I show ppl love in the most unique ways.” Marcy Hannah Waring, @ejwillingham.bsky.social's TPGA newsletter:

buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...

Do some tall people have "profound tallness?" (This is an autism labels side-eye)

You can’t take the tallness out of someone, not in any ethical way. “Tall” is just what they are.

buttondown.com

1 11 39

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 1d

It turns out that the math doesn't math when it comes to homeopathy. It just doesn't. Sorry, not sorry.
medium.com/the-quantast...

The Theory and Math on Homeopathy Doesn’t Add Up

Let’s do the math together and understand the beliefs around homeopathy to make it clear why homeopathy isn’t a viable medicine.

medium.com

1 1

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 2d

If you haven't subscribed to the Thinking Person's Guide to Autism Newsletter yet, please consider doing so (or at least sharing!). It's free, and penned by the incomparable @ejwillingham.bsky.social. #autism #neurodiversity

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 2d

"I ask you to consider that autism itself has the power to bring people joy. I experience happiness to the extreme. I can be entertained by the simplest things. I show ppl love in the most unique ways.” Marcy Hannah Waring, @ejwillingham.bsky.social's TPGA newsletter:

buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...

Do some tall people have "profound tallness?" (This is an autism labels side-eye)

You can’t take the tallness out of someone, not in any ethical way. “Tall” is just what they are.

buttondown.com

5 11

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 1d

"The man with the most power has expended enormous energy targeting those with the least." Grateful to Mamdani for speaking out specifically about trans rights and against the White House’s “scorched earth” hate campaign.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEvV...

#TransRightsAreHumanRights

Until It's Done: Sylvia Rivera

YouTube video by Zohran Mamdani for NYC

www.youtube.com

1 1

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 2d

…and I would note that autistic joy is a thing regardless of an autistic person's support profile. My high-support autistic son is capable of more joy than anyone I've ever met.

#autism #neurodiversity

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 2d

"I ask you to consider that autism itself has the power to bring people joy. I experience happiness to the extreme. I can be entertained by the simplest things. I show ppl love in the most unique ways.” Marcy Hannah Waring, @ejwillingham.bsky.social's TPGA newsletter:

buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...

Do some tall people have "profound tallness?" (This is an autism labels side-eye)

You can’t take the tallness out of someone, not in any ethical way. “Tall” is just what they are.

buttondown.com

1 11 39

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 2d

If you haven't subscribed to the Thinking Person's Guide to Autism Newsletter yet, please consider doing so (or at least sharing!). It's free, and penned by the incomparable @ejwillingham.bsky.social. #autism #neurodiversity

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 2d

"I ask you to consider that autism itself has the power to bring people joy. I experience happiness to the extreme. I can be entertained by the simplest things. I show ppl love in the most unique ways.” Marcy Hannah Waring, @ejwillingham.bsky.social's TPGA newsletter:

buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...

Do some tall people have "profound tallness?" (This is an autism labels side-eye)

You can’t take the tallness out of someone, not in any ethical way. “Tall” is just what they are.

buttondown.com

5 11

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 4d

I am grateful our state pays for aides to work with my autistic son, especially since we've not yet found him a decent adult program. But the impenetrable paperwork for hiring those aides—& the oft-returned versions that then have to be re-submitted—is pure panic attack material. And is gatekeeping.

10 46

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 9d

“'I am so furious about how badly supported I had been & how that shaped the 1st years of my son’s life,' Rosa said, reflecting that she wishes she’d focused on support instead of trying to cure [Leo]. She now [helms TPGA] to help other parents." @slooterman.bsky.social asks the right questions, TY.

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 9d

On the echoes of refrigerator mothers in MAHA policy: Tiffany Hammond @fidgetsandfries.bsky.social "sees the focus on Tylenol and vaccines not only as a way to blame moms, but as a way to distract from Trump’s cuts to the services and supports families like hers need."

19thnews.org/2025/10/refr...

This isn't the first time moms have been blamed for their kids' autism

One of the earliest theories of autism is centered on “refrigerator mothers.” Echoes of it can be found in plans to Make America Healthy Again.

19thnews.org

1 3 12

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 4d

Please please please get your Covid shot if you can. You will be protecting yourself, and you will be protecting people who can’t get their shots because of absurd HHS policies.

#VaccinesWork, save lives, and protect autistic kids’ & adults’ health too.

selfie of me, wearing a black facemask with a circular bandage over a shot site on my freckled tattooed shoulder. Overlay text at the bottom, reads, “please get your Covid shot if you can.”

2 10 25

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 4d

I am grateful our state pays for aides to work with my autistic son, especially since we've not yet found him a decent adult program. But the impenetrable paperwork for hiring those aides—& the oft-returned versions that then have to be re-submitted—is pure panic attack material. And is gatekeeping.

10 46

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 4d

Please please please get your Covid shot if you can. You will be protecting yourself, and you will be protecting people who can’t get their shots because of absurd HHS policies.

#VaccinesWork, save lives, and protect autistic kids’ & adults’ health too.

2 10 25

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 6d

“As a neurodiversity advocate and as an autistic person, I’m really grateful for so much of the work that’s been done that allows me to be myself and to be successful being myself.” Link, who has been *banned*!?!? from this platform?

thinkingautismguide.com/2025/06/spac... #AutisticWhileBlack

Space Law, Race, and Neurodiversity: Autistic Advocate AJ Link

We live in a country & society that is built on racism. The neurodivergent community isn't free of that racism—per Autistic advocate AJ Link.

thinkingautismguide.com

4 440 1.1K

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 7d

I still feel like I'm going to puke. Especially because everyone was so nice to us, my son especially. And yet I suspect the same people would like to see my son shipped off to a farm, and also support BS MAHA-agenda research to cure him and his peers. Paid in cash, no trail.

1 16

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 7d

So my autistic son & I went to the diner next to our hotel, because I'd promised him pancakes. What I had not gleaned from the diner menu was that it is a Thin Blue Line place, with dogwhistle Hobby Lobby-style decor covering every wall. And we could not leave, bc unfair to deep six pancakes. But.

3 15

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

KOJAMF🤘🖤🤘 @kojamf.bsky.social · 7d

Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.

810 17K 38K

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 13d

SR: In the midst of [the announcement] nonsense, my son & I went to our local disability center & swam in the warm pool. We had a lovely day & my son was joyful and smiling—& I was thinking what a good life we have. And if I was only focused on what we didn't have, that would not be possible. 30/30

1 2 31

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 13d

SR: Being afraid of having an autistic child is understandable, given the [current fearmongering] climate around autism. But if you learn how best to support your autistic child, if that's what you end up having, then your life can be a wonderful one. 29/

2 3 20

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 13d

SR: I think [pregnant people] need to understand that disability is natural. They need to prepare themselves for the possibility that anything could happen—not in a negative way but in terms of being ready to accept the kid they have & look for the info that will help them live their best lives. 28/

1 10 25

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 13d

SR: I think that for the most part, [parents] can trust their pediatricians on things like acetaminophen, knowing that acetaminophen is safe. This is solid science. It's really hard to have to say, don't listen to the government's health agency, but that's where we are. 27/

1 3 10

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 13d

CNN: What advice do you have for pregnant mothers or parents of autistic children, such as yourself? I know people want a simple answer, but it doesn't seem like there is one. As someone who is devoted to sifting through misinformation, false claims, how should they approach this kind of stuff? 26/

1 2 8

Reposted by Shannon Rosa

Shannon Rosa @shannonrosa.bsky.social · 13d

SR: You need to be discerning about the information that you choose, and not just choose it because somebody scared you into it, or because a social media influencer made you mad or scared. 25/

1 3 11