For Autistic Pride Day 2026 (18th June), our Universal Advocate Kate is sharing her story about what Autistic Pride means to her.
Autistic Pride Day makes my heart swell.
It speaks to the undiagnosed little girl that somehow was out of step with her peers for so much of her life, the confused teenager that found it difficult to make good decisions and the young woman that wondered why everyone else just seemed to be getting along with their lives, and why she found it so hard to fit in.
Autistic Pride gives me the chance to not only remember the struggles of the little girl, running along the outside of the group, but never knowing how to get involved, but to have optimism in the future. That diagnostic criteria has changed to include girls and women, and we are making our voices heard.
I carry my (late, aged 50) Autism diagnosis with pride, it is me.
Sense of justice
It is my deep passion, my sense of justice, my attention to detail and my sensory journey in this world that I experience in a unique way.
I recognise that there is work to be done, but I am proud of the journey we are all making, and I am proud to be able to speak about my experiences.
I am a happy woman with a good life, a supportive employer and a neurodivergent family who fill me with pride every day.
To all the fellow stimmers, the special interest groupies and those that tread their own path, I am proud of all of us.
