I've been focussing lately on Autistic Culture and what could constitute it. I know many of us still know autism through the medical lense/culture, but we are much more! And we must learn about it, because if we don't, others will appropriate what's ours and use it against us, as many ABA and EMDR therapists are already doing.
There are many examples I can think of from the top of my head as to what could be autistic culture, like stimming, comfortable clothes, noise-canceling phones, taking your time to answer to instant messages (and knowing that this time is ok), alternative ways of communication, fidget or stim toys, dinosaur hands (and the corresponding dinosaur emoji🦖), the golden infinity symbol 
, safe foods and safe spaces, etc... But I want to know more from everyone here! Can you help me?
What do you personally consider to be Autistic Culture? Is there anything you personally do related to that? And how is it?
Also, what do you see other autistic people do that you could consider to be Autistic Culture? And why is that?
Also, if you could use the hashtag #ThisIsAutisticCulture it could help me to find your ideas and perhaps we can start understanding that autism is not a disease or a disorder, but a valid social identity with our own shared culture and values! I'll try to add to this toot-line/thread all the other ideas and toots I can find about it!
Thanks!!
Off the top of my head I can think of two things. Autistic joy and the way we think.
We are, perhaps , unique in that we can find joy, even in our darkest most burnt-out times in the things that others might find childish or irrelevant. The simple pleasures of being on a swing, or seeing a butterfly. The wind on our face, the sound of it rustling the leaves of a tree. The feel of a soft blanket, or hugging a plushie. There is virtually no end to the joy we can find in things that to others are either not even noticeable, or things they outgrew long ago. But for us they represent the joy of simply being ourselves, without constraint or thought of what we should be like.
Our ways of thinking are also unique. Our need often to think things through for ourselves, to do the research, to deep dive into something. Often because it too brings us joy, a satisfaction in learning something regardless of any practical application or apparent benefit. We learn for the sake of learning and do so regardless of our age. In no other community can I imagine someone saying something like, "I don't like phatic communication" and being met by those who don't understand the term with a near universal reaching for their phones or dictionary to find out, or simply politely asking.