5 Penfriend Project Essays to Help you Better Understand the Autism Spectrum
By: Jodi Murphy, from Geek Club Books for Autism
The Penfriend Project will enlighten you about autism.
If you’re interested in writing for us, pitch us at join.ifme@gmail.com! We welcome anonymous submissions too.
The public’s understanding of autism is shrouded in mystery and misperception. There exists a social stigma due to lack of public knowledge, media misrepresentations, and human nature to judge those who are noticeably different. Autistic individuals are often misunderstood, isolated, subject to bullying, and negatively stereotyped.
At Geek Club Books for Autism (an autism storytelling nonprofit), we seek to shift the status quo and help autistic individuals reach their greatest potential. Our approach is to be a part of modern popular culture — to educate children and adults about autism using storytelling and entertainment.
The Penfriend Project is our team of autistic writers who share their autism experience through creative expression and thought-provoking essays. Their unique voices are powerful, uplifting and are changing the world’s view of autism.
Here are 5 essays that will open you hearts and minds to thinking differently about those on the autism spectrum:
1. The 5 Common Autism Myths and Misperceptions, by Emma Dalmayne
Emma Dalmayne is an autistic home educating mother from London. She’s an avid spokesperson for autism and fights against the mistreatment of autistics. In this essay, she shares the 5 myths and misperceptions she hears regularly about autism. #5 is: “What’s Your Special Talent?” Her response: “Being ourselves. What’s yours?”
2. What Happens When They Know but Refuse to Accept Your Autism?, by Megan Amodeo
Get out the tissue box, because Megan’s essay about being emotionally abused and rejected by her parents is heart wrenching. But make sure you read the entire essay to discover her strength and determination to rise above her childhood. Today, Megan has a wonderful life and says, “I am happy being me.”
3. I Am Awesome, by Lydia Wayman
Lydia Wayman wants you to know that “we’re all awesome, not despite our differences, but because of them”. In this essay, you’ll find out that it’s not her autism that makes her life hard; it’s living in a world that wasn’t made for those with autism.
4. Be Patient and Listen to All Forms of Communication, by Chloe Rothschild
Just because someone isn’t verbal, it doesn’t mean they aren’t communicating. Chloe Rothschild writes about how people can dismiss her because she isn’t always able to communicate verbally. “There is so much more to communicating than being able to speak.”
5. How Can You Help with One of Our Comorbid Conditions? by Rochelle Johnson
Many with autism experience depression and anxiety. Rochelle Johnson writes openly about her personal struggles, misdiagnoses, and plea for everyone to start by being more accepting.
About the Author
Jodi Murphy is the founder of Geek Club Books, autism storytelling through mobile apps for awareness, acceptance and understanding. She uses the art of storytelling and technology to entertain and educate for the social good. She is a ‘positive’ autism advocate, mother of an awesome adult on the autism spectrum, lifestyle journalist, and marketing specialist.
Resources:
- More essays by the Penfriend Project team.
- Don’t Take Away My Routine (Or Demand Too Many Changes At Once!), by Steve Thomas, M. Sc.
- 5 Must-see Videos for #AutismAwarenessMonth
- Use and share our web app to share mental health experiences with loved ones at if-me.org
