First Person Perspectives and Education on Social Media

We fully endorse lifelong learning about ableism, accessibility and disability justice through disability influencers on social media. One of the principles of neurodivergence affirmation is to prioritize lived experience, so listening to people most impacted by disability is the best way to understand the needs of your students. The information that these creators share is often presented in very digestible and engaging ways. We also love that if you are a social media user, learning from them does not require planning and setting aside time in your daily life to continue learning. Here are a few that we like and continue to learn from.

Cartoon of a polar bear holding a rainbow flag with the word 'Autistic', standing on snow. A bird is flying above, saying 'Oh! Your flag is BEAUTIFUL!', and the bear responds 'Thanks!'. Text below reads 'I am Autistic and I belong here'. The bottom right has 'NeuroWild' written with small decorative elements.

Em Hammond, a.k.a. NeuroWild, is an autistic and ADHD speech pathologist and comic artist on Facebook, Instagram, TeachersPayTeachers and her website. She is Jess’ all-time favorite communicator about neurodivergence affirmation.

A man smiling for a selfie inside a living room, wearing a beige cap with a white emblem and a dark T-shirt with a colorful design and text that reads 'Have the day you deserve'.

Kyrus Keenan Westcott, a.k.a. The Vibe with Ky, is a mental health advocate with ADHD, depression, anxiety and OCD who can be found on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and his website.

Two women laughing and hugging, one sitting in a wheelchair, against a pink background.

The Cheetham Sisters, Hannah and Becky, can be found on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

A young woman with brown skin wearing a pink beanie and white over-ear headphones, with a nose ring and dreadlocks, looking directly at the camera in an indoor setting.

Kaligirwa, a.k.a. BlackSpectrumScholar, is an academic and advocate with autism and ADHD who can be found on Instagram, TikTok, and Substack.

Tiffany Hammond is an autistic writer, advocate and mother of two sons with autism, “both beautifully unique in how they see and move through the world. One speaks. One doesn’t. Both communicate in powerful ways.” She shares her thoughts on Facebook, Instagram and her website.

Lyo Amend, a.k.a. Lyo Advocacy, is a law student and disability rights advocate who can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Zach Anner is a comedian/speaker/author with cerebral palsy and ADHD who can be found on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and his website.

Janae Elisabeth, also known as The Trauma Geek, is an autistic person with complex trauma, EDS, POTS, and MCAS. In addition to first person perspectives, they share research about trauma and neurodivergence on Facebook, Instagram, and her website.

Dr. Destiny Huff is a Special Education advocate and mental health therapist with autism & ADHD. She shares information on Facebook, Instagram and her website.