Thomas Ledbetter (he/him)

Autistic activist, advocate, researcher, critical optimist, and hopefully a friend. Views are my own. #ActuallyAutistic #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

[Thomas Ledbetter (he/him) @capledbetter]

Like many other disabled advocates, I'm going to migrating to Bluesky now. Hopefully I'll see all of you there 💙

https://t.co/k5umwDP7lP

[Thomas Ledbetter (he/him) @capledbetter]

This statement is one of the most vile things I have ever read. Everyone currently at the CDC should be ashamed. And the parents championing this thinking it'll be the salvation of your kids? You should look in the mirror and be disgusted.

This is eugenics, and it's horrifying.

[Damian Milton @milton_damian]

The state of it. A danger to all.

[Thomas Ledbetter (he/him) @capledbetter]

This is my representative. She just gave a glowing endorsment to one of the most disastrous bills directed at disabled people in American history.

We will suffer and die because of this, Tenney, and you don't care. You should be utterly ashamed. The blood will be on your hands.

[Claudia Tenney @claudiatenney]

Just cast my “AYE” vote for ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL! Make America Great Again! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Erin Ekins (she/her) @QueerlyAutistic]

This is why we get angry when they announce millions being dedicated to researching the 'cause' of autism, by the way.

Because they're ALREADY spending millions trying to figure out why we exist, and every penny spent on that is not being spent on actually improving our lives.

[Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim]

“Autism destroys families.”

No. No, it doesn’t. A lack of resources does that. Cutting programs and services does that. Spreading false information does that.

[Damian Milton @milton_damian]

Moving the clock back decades - f£$%£$% *&^*&^. Clueless and harmful in equal measure.

[Thomas Ledbetter (he/him) @capledbetter]

@DrMBotha I remember assignments in my grad program where we looked at stages of life and had to describe each of them with isolated domains (behavioral, social, etc.), and I was like "Why are we separating these rather than interconnecting to explain it more fully?" It was frustrating.

[kitchen witchen 🏳️‍⚧️ @kitchen_witchen]

"Star Trek was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in life forms. […] If we cannot learn to actually enjoy those small differences,

[Thomas Ledbetter (he/him) @capledbetter]

This Autisn Acceptance Month, please understand that the mother of the child that inspired Autism Speaks is to this day STILL not only an antivaxxer, but belives children are better off being at risk of death than being "stolen" by their autism. What a horrifying shame.

[katie wright @katiewr31413491]

I’m one of those Moms & forever grateful 4 @RobertKennedyJr fearless advocacy for our families - & yours. We need safe vaccines & a safe infant /toddler vax schedule. 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

[Thomas Ledbetter (he/him) @capledbetter]

@katiewr31413491 @drstevenkapp @journalautism Are you assuming that because an autistic person can't speak in the same way you or I do, it means he can't communicate and make his own choices? What if he were given speech devices or ASL so he could express himself on his own terms?

[Nicole Filippone, Autistic Advocate & Author @sensorystories_]

I don't know who needs to see this, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with eating the same foods every day... wearing the same types of clothes every day... listening to the same songs and watching the same shows every. single. day. If it makes your heart happy... do it. ❤️

[𝔸sh @ashleyann_atx]

what i am slowly learning with autistic unmasking is that maybe i don’t want to cut and paste what others have said. maybe i want to offer what i know. what loss to others and ourselves that we silence the bits of us that are true all for perceived acceptance.

[Thomas Ledbetter (he/him) @capledbetter]

I feel so alone. So unwanted. Like the work I do doesn't matter - I try to share my perspective with the world, reach out with the hope of collaborate, and it just isn't enough. This field does incredible things with many lovely people, but I don't feel connected or loved in it.

[Thomas Ledbetter (he/him) @capledbetter]

@TakiNeedsCoffee Quick question - how does it compare to Season 3?

[Thomas Ledbetter (he/him) @capledbetter]

Thank you all for being here, and for being you - all that you are, and all that you strive to be. I promise you with all of my heart, you are more than enough, and you always will be. 💕

[Thomas Ledbetter (he/him) @capledbetter]

An advisor once told me that "the autistic community is lucky to have you".

That's not true. In fact, quite the opposite. I'm the one who is lucky to have you.

Serving the autistic people I love, uplifting and embracing us, fighting for our rights - it's a privilege and honor.

[Thomas Ledbetter (he/him) @capledbetter]

And my mission for the rest of my life is to work to continually earn that honor - to earn the immensity of everything the autistic community has gifted me: the friendship, love, purpose and hope.

That hope has kept me and all that I cherish alive, and I cannot thank you enough

[Thomas Ledbetter (he/him) @capledbetter]

Isn't it great when you learn that the lead contractor planning your house renovation casually talks about how he believes the government is putting chemicals in everyone's food and drinks that are making people autistic?

Ain't that just wonderful and incredible? 🙃🙃🙃