How to be an AUTIVIST

Amy Lee Lillard
3 days ago
4 min read

Autistic/ADHD + Artist + Activist = AUTIVIST

TL:DR from the cats of Rebel Yell Creative: People who think different are the best people. And artists.

I want to help creative people get real, get empowered, and get arty.

And that means speaking directly to the weirdos.

Because resistance is more than protests

Resistance seems to be all about the big and loud.

Big and brash personalities, the people that thrive on connecting with others in noisy, chaotic spaces and measure success or failure based on huge numbers and ballot pulls.

So resistance seems to be an action only for extroverts, networkers, and stars.

What about the quiet ones? The autistic artists and introverted creators, the young dreamers, the lone makers, the remote thinkers? The ones who have been moved by a book, felt seen by a show, chose survival after a song, and long to do the same for others? The people who are just as angry and scared as the marchers and shouters, who want to fight back, to resist and rebel and revolt…but don’t know how?

I'm one of them. I'm a stone-cold weirdo. And I have a long history of trying to resist in “normal” ways and coming up shamefully short. Only when I was diagnosed as autistic in my forties did I understand why. No matter how strong my sense of justice, the typical tasks of resistance – calls, meetings, protests, consensus-building – demanded things my body and mind could not do.

For many neurodivergent people, myself included, traditional activism is an impossibility.

But we want and need to resist

And we can, through reframing our limits. And exploring art as a route to rebellion.

There's a reason, after all. A reason books are banned, music censored, and media blamed.

The reason: storytelling is powerful. Representation saves lives. Art - writing, music, performance, design, and more - is resistance.

Resistance doesn't need masks

An autivist is an autistic/ADHD/neurodiverse person who is an activist and artist. Put simply:

Autistic/ADHD + Artist + Activist = AUTIVIST.

When we become an autivist, we can unmask. We can be our true selves. And we can make art that matters to support the things we believe in.

In terrible times, in cultures like ours, art is important. It's our way of fighting back. But it's also our way of taking care of ourselves. Of staying sane. And connecting in restorative and empowering ways.

So: How can we use our neurodivergence as a strength and make powerful art as resistance?

Resist through art

Learn how to make art as resistance while rediscovering your neurodivergent joy with the How to Be An Autivist guide and workbook.

Filled with guided prompts, reality checks, and inspiration especially for autistic, ADHD, and otherwise neurodiverse creators.

Take a look inside:

Invest in yourself and empower your art!

Get the How to Be An Autivist workbook

And just like everything from Rebel Yell Creative, the Autivist workbook is based in:

Neurodivergent-friendly advice and guidance. Most creative advice is based on neurotypical practices. I know this because I'm autistic, and every article and event telling me I have to spit out an elevator speech to strangers, or cold pitch a literary agent, has me cowering in the corner. I'm skipping all that, and focusing on what works for your communication styles and needs.
Intersectional understanding, at all times. Most marketing and creative advice comes from cis white men or women. And the advice is absolutely oblivious of the factors that can play into making goals and dreams a reality. They ignore systemic inequalities that will make it harder for many people. I'm talking about that, and thinking about how it plays into all guidance.
Grounded, small, focused goals. I'm not going to show you how to reach millions of people. I don't know how to do that, and honestly, my messages aren't appealing to that many people. I believe in the power of small. And reaching the people who need to hear you, even if that's just one person.
Art as resistance. Not sure what I mean? Listen to The Art of Resistance Podcast for examples of writers, musicians, and other artists who use their art as resistance to tyranny, patriarchy, and the status quo.
No formula. Seems like every marketing or creative seminar is espousing some framework or IP that they swear will work for everyone. Come on. Maybe if 'everyone' is of a certain demographic and income, that might be true. But in reality? Nope. Everyone is different, every creative venture is different, and every bit of advice should be too.
DIY or personalized? All good. Learning how to do something yourself can be incredible. I taught myself how to podcast, and the satisfaction of seeing that work turn into something I'm proud of? Beyond. So I'm not dissuading anyone from DIY, and in fact offer multiple options to support your DIY journey.