The Dark Side shares difficult lessons from my autism advocacy and community life, especially for readers taking on advocacy, leadership or community responsibilities. These are human problems around trust, power and good intentions, not something inherently dark about autistic people.
Growing into adulthood means learning to confront difficult questions, make tough choices and take responsibility for their consequences, rather than hide from them. The aim is support with judgement and boundaries, not suspicion towards everyone. I explore this journey further in For those following my footsteps.
For solutions, refer to the Action For Autistics Masterplan and proposed NeuroDivergent Capability Partnership.
Trust, partnerships and public exposure
Beware Autistic Imposters and Exploitation
Recognise exploitation and use proportionate trust checks without treating identity or behavioural flags as proof.
Hidden Agendas and Exploitation are Unavoidable
Examine what an opportunity asks you to give, who controls decisions and who carries the risk.
Who to partner for autism work
Select partners for role fit, reliability and judgement, beyond shared identity or credentials.
Media Interview Hidden Risks
Understand consent, framing, privacy and reputational risks before agreeing to a media interview.
Quality, influence and independence
Do Not Measure Advocacy by Awards
Keep recognition in perspective rather than letting awards and approval determine the work’s value.
How to assess the quality of autism work
Judge autism work by its purpose, evidence, execution and consequences rather than praise alone.
Presence Is Not Influence
Distinguish being included or visible from having meaningful influence over the decisions that matter.
Avoiding Mission Capture
Notice when another cause begins using an autism platform’s attention, resources and credibility.
When Inclusion Quietly Excludes
Lessons from challenging a non-profit and running a community: fair boundaries, costly neutrality, hidden withdrawals and the organiser’s limits.
Scope, capacity and an exit plan
When Trying to Do Everything Backfires
Keep an initiative’s purpose and capacity clear instead of expanding until everything depends on it.
Plan How to Leave Before You Start Autism Advocacy
Plan boundaries, handover and exit before public advocacy creates commitments that are hard to undo.
Continuing with judgement
Why support the autism community despite darkness?
Continue supporting autistic people with realistic expectations, judgement and sustainable boundaries.
For those following my footsteps
Read my closing message on carrying the responsibilities and wider consequences of autism advocacy.