Hunter Dirac

Non binary person (They/them). Autistic and disabled. Trying to learn things. Successfully enjoying the process.

[Hunter Dirac @HunterDirac]

I am speaking at 2022 Texas Autism Virtual Conference. Please check out my talk if you're attending the event! #TXAutism - via #Whova event app

[Hunter Dirac @HunterDirac]

@RepBethVanDuyne, @SenTedCruz, @JohnCornyn —TAKE ACTION. DEMAND @POTUS & @JoeBiden #StopLine3. Respect the US constitution and its stance on the legally binding power of treaties. America doesn't go back on its word. Let's keep our word, and build a better future while we do it!

[Noah Sasson @Noahsasson]

The Office of Research here @UT_Dallas (@UTDResearch) put together this fact sheet and infographic as an introduction to some of the autism research we’re conducting in my lab. Thanks @DrAlexPiquero for choosing to highlight our work in this accessible way https://t.co/IjLYWFL0iP

[Hunter Dirac @HunterDirac]

form of treatment. I still don't agree with a lot of the methods common in ABA therapy, but I also understand there's good and bad in any treatment and a lot of it comes down to finding a good provider. I have had talk therapists and psychiatrists who

[Hunter Dirac @HunterDirac]

of autism.
ABA is a whole big issue, and there was a lot of abuse particularly when any shmuck with a Bachelors in psych could call themselves an ABA therapist and do whatever they saw fit. Now ABA therapists need to have at least a masters degree in specifically that

[Hunter Dirac @HunterDirac]

So you're right. Autism doesn't go away, it's masked or camouflaged or maybe someone is in an environment where their social and behavioral differences don't lead to impairment. WHO is right that sometimes children diagnosed with ASD aren't diagnosable with ASD as adults. (6/7)

[Hunter Dirac @HunterDirac]

You're right. But the thing is, they're right too because they're going by the official diagnostic criteria. Neurodiversity views autism (quite rightly) as more than an impairment. It's a different way of being. Diagnosis has to see it as an impairment. here's why: (1/7)

[Hunter Dirac @HunterDirac]

in concrete and exact terms so that it's measurable. Autism itself is hard to measure, official diagnosis, however, is measurable and so it is what WHO has to use when talking about ASD. (5/7)

[Hunter Dirac @HunterDirac]

It's important to speak up to organizations and institutions and let them know what language we prefer and why, but we cannot hold them to the same standards of adaptation as an individual. (7/7)

[Hunter Dirac @HunterDirac]

I'm autistic, and prefer identity first language, but I understand why WHO is still using person first language. The guidelines for research organizations focus on person first as a blanket rule for disabilities. Changing that takes time. Identity first is new. (1/7)

[Andrew Wills @bald_andy]

@WHO @UN @pahowho @UNICEF @WHO_Europe @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @WHOEMRO @WHOPhilippines @UNICEFIndia #ActuallyAutistic

[Hunter Dirac @HunterDirac]

in order to say things in an acceptable way. Maybe 10 years from now identity first language would be considered insulting to the community.) When those changes happen, there's always a lag in academia because there's structure, rules, guidelines on how to say things (6/7)