Creating Art While Unpacking Unsettling Autism Claims

In this video, I create an original painting while discussing the harm caused repeated misinformation about autism. As an autistic artist, I share my personal perspective on why RFK Jr.’s statements are not only scientifically inaccurate, but also harmful to the neurodivergent community and the broader autism acceptance movement. ALSO TO NOTE: the quote "to appear more normal" is not saying that I think autistic people are not normal, but how neurotypicals want "normal" to look like. I hope I wasn't misunderstood there :) Additionally, listen to the voices of other autistic individuals! I'm just one, and if you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person. We are all different, come from a variety of backgrounds and levels of adversity, and experience different levels of support needs. Autism is not a tragedy, and it should never be used as a political tool or fear-based talking point. This video explores the real impact of spreading outdated and debunked ideas, especially the persistent myth linking autism to vaccines. This is an idea that continues to harm autistic individuals and their families and leads autistic people and families to stumble through misinformation to try to find any resources to help. Through this video, I offer a direct, personal response to the rhetoric—using both my voice and my art to express the truth about what it means to live as an autistic person backed up by science and facts listed below. Topics covered: -The dangers of autism misinformation -RFK Jr.'s history of false claims about vaccines and autism -The importance of autism acceptance over autism fear -Why representation by autistic voices matters If you care about autism advocacy, neurodiversity, and protecting truth in public discourse, this video is for you. 🌟 Don’t forget to subscribe! Join me, Bethany Stahl—author, aromatherapist, herbalist, and artist—for more gardening tips! Click the bell 🔔 so you don’t miss future art and autism videos! Shop my art: https://www.bethanystahl.com Sources: -https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3136032/ -https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-and-wasteful-government-dei-programs-and-preferencing/ -https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/39-14c-subminimum-wage -https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/nih-cms-partner-to-research-root-causes-of-autism.html -Maenner, M. J., et al. (2023). Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. MMWR Surveillance Summaries. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/ss/ss7202a1.htm -Taylor, L. E., Swerdfeger, A. L., & Eslick, G. D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: an evidence-based meta-analysis. Vaccine, 32(29), 3623–3629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.04.085 -Jain, A., et al. (2015). Vaccines and Autism: A population-based study. JAMA, 313(15), 1534–1540. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.3077 -Roux, A. M., et al. (2015). National Autism Indicators Report: Transition into Young Adulthood. Drexel University. https://drexel.edu/autisminstitute/research-projects/ARU/indicators-transition/ -Bascom, J. (2024). Statement on Autism Databases. Autistic Self Advocacy Network. https://autisticadvocacy.org -U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (2023). Neurodiversity in the Workplace. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/program-areas/employment-supports/neurodiversity -U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (2020). Subminimum Wages: Impacts on the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities. https://www.usccr.gov/reports/2020/subminimum-wages -U.S. Department of Labor – Section 14(c) Overview https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/workers-with-disabilities -National Council on Disability (2012). Subminimum Wage and Supported Employment. https://ncd.gov/publications/2012/August232012 -Silberman, S. (2015). NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity. Avery. -Mingus, M. (2019). “Disability and the Just Transition.” Leaving Evidence. https://leavingevidence.wordpress.com/ -Piepzna-Samarasinha, L. L. (2018). Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice. Arsenal Pulp Press. -National Autism Indicators Report (2020). Employment Outcomes for Autistic Adults. https://drexel.edu/autismoutcomes/publications/ -------------------------------------------- JOIN MY PATREON TEAM https://www.patreon.com/bethanystahl CHILDREN'S BOOKS SAVE THE EARTH® SERIES: https://amzn.to/3YBrZJR - Little Red: https://amzn.to/3aTANmx Mermaids, Mermaids in the Sea: https://amzn.to/3bGOVgU Dreaming, Dreaming in the Night: https://amzn.to/3b15ggg YOUNG ADULT NOVELS: Tolerant: https://amzn.to/3YBrZJR NON-FICTION NOVELLAS: Endometriosis: https://amzn.to/38aBzIg FOLLOW ME Instagram: https://iwww.instagram.com/bethanystahlart *The above are amazon affiliate links #actuallyautistic #autismawareness #autismacceptance