Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
@chrisbonnello.bsky.social
Autism and neurodiversity advocate, speaker and former teacher, author of the Underdogs series.
https://linktr.ee/chrisbonnello
https://linktr.ee/chrisbonnello
Probably the most important perspective on the "profound autism" debate I've read to date. Because it's written by a disabled autistic man who would absolutely qualify for the diagnosis if it were ever made into a thing.
October 22, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Probably the most important perspective on the "profound autism" debate I've read to date. Because it's written by a disabled autistic man who would absolutely qualify for the diagnosis if it were ever made into a thing.
Giving neurodivergent teenagers extra time in exams for accessibility reasons is "unhealthy", according to a neurologist writing in The Times.
Yes, a neurologist. Personally, I'm more interested in what *educators* have to say about the topic.
Yes, a neurologist. Personally, I'm more interested in what *educators* have to say about the topic.
October 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Giving neurodivergent teenagers extra time in exams for accessibility reasons is "unhealthy", according to a neurologist writing in The Times.
Yes, a neurologist. Personally, I'm more interested in what *educators* have to say about the topic.
Yes, a neurologist. Personally, I'm more interested in what *educators* have to say about the topic.
Reposted by Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.
October 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.
Reposted by Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
I often get pushback when I make points like this, from those dying to ask “but what about the *really* disabled autistic people?”… all assuming I don’t live with a disabled autistic teenager.
I do, by the way, and she’s awesome. And she deserves better than people using her as an anti-ND argument.
I do, by the way, and she’s awesome. And she deserves better than people using her as an anti-ND argument.
September 26, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I often get pushback when I make points like this, from those dying to ask “but what about the *really* disabled autistic people?”… all assuming I don’t live with a disabled autistic teenager.
I do, by the way, and she’s awesome. And she deserves better than people using her as an anti-ND argument.
I do, by the way, and she’s awesome. And she deserves better than people using her as an anti-ND argument.
Thanks Russel! Forgot to crosspost it here. :)
An old post from the always excellent @chrisbonnello.bsky.social, but especially appropriate today - on the alleged "causes" of autism as told to to people with autism back in 2018. Forget yer Tylenol (altho it does get a mention), who knew Peppa Pig was a root cause...? autisticnotweird.com/causes/
I asked my followers to share the most ridiculous “autism causes” they’d ever heard. Brace yourselves.
From Peppa Pig to power lines, the internet loves blaming things for our existence. Here are the most ridiculous ones we've heard.
autisticnotweird.com
September 25, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Thanks Russel! Forgot to crosspost it here. :)
Reposted by Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
Make it make sense. Autism was first discovered in 1911, and Tylenol was introduced in 1955.
September 23, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Make it make sense. Autism was first discovered in 1911, and Tylenol was introduced in 1955.
If we're all a little autistic, why is the world so cruel to autistic people?
The phrase "we're all a little autistic" doesn't just trivialise autistic struggles- it's often weaponised against us. Several followers have told me their psychologists even used the line to deny them a valid diagnosis.
The phrase "we're all a little autistic" doesn't just trivialise autistic struggles- it's often weaponised against us. Several followers have told me their psychologists even used the line to deny them a valid diagnosis.
September 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
If we're all a little autistic, why is the world so cruel to autistic people?
The phrase "we're all a little autistic" doesn't just trivialise autistic struggles- it's often weaponised against us. Several followers have told me their psychologists even used the line to deny them a valid diagnosis.
The phrase "we're all a little autistic" doesn't just trivialise autistic struggles- it's often weaponised against us. Several followers have told me their psychologists even used the line to deny them a valid diagnosis.
Reposted by Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
Further reading from @chrisbonnello.bsky.social:
autisticnotweird.com/teaching/
autisticnotweird.com/building-rel...
#OntEd #autism #SpecEd #EduSky
autisticnotweird.com/teaching/
autisticnotweird.com/building-rel...
#OntEd #autism #SpecEd #EduSky
August 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Shoutout to all the non-autistic people who make sincere efforts to listen and learn autistic people's perspectives, just as a matter of principle, despite society not really expecting them to.
September 11, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Shoutout to all the non-autistic people who make sincere efforts to listen and learn autistic people's perspectives, just as a matter of principle, despite society not really expecting them to.
Reposted by Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
enshittification | noun | when a digital platform is made worse for users, in order to increase profits
September 3, 2025 at 8:22 PM
enshittification | noun | when a digital platform is made worse for users, in order to increase profits
Tomorrow I'm delivering training to a staff team at a college.
And whilst thinking it through, I was reminded of this outstanding quote I once heard in a speech by Paul Owen, then-principal of Dover Technical College.
And whilst thinking it through, I was reminded of this outstanding quote I once heard in a speech by Paul Owen, then-principal of Dover Technical College.
August 26, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Tomorrow I'm delivering training to a staff team at a college.
And whilst thinking it through, I was reminded of this outstanding quote I once heard in a speech by Paul Owen, then-principal of Dover Technical College.
And whilst thinking it through, I was reminded of this outstanding quote I once heard in a speech by Paul Owen, then-principal of Dover Technical College.
Relationships underpin absolutely everything as a teacher. Not just academic performance, but attendance and effective safeguarding too.
Attention educators:
"There’s no point in your school saying 'the welfare of our students is paramount' if you’re not making it easier for them to actually trust you with their welfare."
Credit @chrisbonnello.bsky.social
#EduSky #OntEd #autism #AutismAcceptance #neurodiversity
"There’s no point in your school saying 'the welfare of our students is paramount' if you’re not making it easier for them to actually trust you with their welfare."
Credit @chrisbonnello.bsky.social
#EduSky #OntEd #autism #AutismAcceptance #neurodiversity
♾️ ⬇️ #autisticvoices
When I was a teacher in a school for autistic students, it was well-no... #actuallyautistic
When I was a teacher in a school for autistic students, it was well-no... #actuallyautistic
August 13, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Relationships underpin absolutely everything as a teacher. Not just academic performance, but attendance and effective safeguarding too.
Reposted by Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
There’s so much that’s awful in here and it barely touches the tip of the iceberg.
Strong read this morning in the Observer on the collapse of Unbound, featuring @alexdecampi.bsky.social, @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social and myself.
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
Death of a publishing dream: how the Unbound revolution b...
The literary disrupters enjoyed great success with their crowdfunding model, signing authors that other publishers overlooked. And then the money ran out…
observer.co.uk
August 9, 2025 at 12:05 PM
There’s so much that’s awful in here and it barely touches the tip of the iceberg.
The Underdogs series is ready for the next stage of its journey. If you're an agent or publisher interested in representing a (completed) heartfelt neurodivergent YA dystopia saga, please do get in touch.
chrisbonnello.com/underdogs
chrisbonnello.com/underdogs
Are you an agent or a publisher looking to add to your list? There are FANTASTIC authors left in the lurch by Unbound who need homes for their existing bools and for sequels / new books. A thread, grouped by genre. Please reskeet!
Here’s YA spec fic & fantasy:
Here’s YA spec fic & fantasy:
August 8, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The Underdogs series is ready for the next stage of its journey. If you're an agent or publisher interested in representing a (completed) heartfelt neurodivergent YA dystopia saga, please do get in touch.
chrisbonnello.com/underdogs
chrisbonnello.com/underdogs
The Unbound/Boundless chapter has now come to a predictably ugly end. The morals of the story being 1) have some basic competence when it comes to money, and 2) pay the people who feed you.
Yes, Unbound - without authors, publishing companies are nothing.
And fancy that. Now you're nothing.
Yes, Unbound - without authors, publishing companies are nothing.
And fancy that. Now you're nothing.
August 1, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The Unbound/Boundless chapter has now come to a predictably ugly end. The morals of the story being 1) have some basic competence when it comes to money, and 2) pay the people who feed you.
Yes, Unbound - without authors, publishing companies are nothing.
And fancy that. Now you're nothing.
Yes, Unbound - without authors, publishing companies are nothing.
And fancy that. Now you're nothing.
Reposted by Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
FREE EBOOK DOWNLOAD!
Being Your Authentic Autistic Self:
Top 10 Tips
Inspired by the webinar delivered by
Chris Bonnello for The PDA Space
Click here to get your copy:
https://autisticrealms.com/product/being-your-authentic-autistic-self-top-10-tips/
Being Your Authentic Autistic Self:
Top 10 Tips
Inspired by the webinar delivered by
Chris Bonnello for The PDA Space
Click here to get your copy:
https://autisticrealms.com/product/being-your-authentic-autistic-self-top-10-tips/
Being Your Authentic Autistic Self Top 10 Tips
Being Your Authentic Autistic Self Top 10 Tips FREE DOWNLOAD Inspired by the webinar delivered by Chris Bonnello for The PDA Space
autisticrealms.com
July 22, 2025 at 6:46 PM
FREE EBOOK DOWNLOAD!
Being Your Authentic Autistic Self:
Top 10 Tips
Inspired by the webinar delivered by
Chris Bonnello for The PDA Space
Click here to get your copy:
https://autisticrealms.com/product/being-your-authentic-autistic-self-top-10-tips/
Being Your Authentic Autistic Self:
Top 10 Tips
Inspired by the webinar delivered by
Chris Bonnello for The PDA Space
Click here to get your copy:
https://autisticrealms.com/product/being-your-authentic-autistic-self-top-10-tips/
Reposted by Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
Reposted by Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
“If we truly want to support dysregulated students, especially neurodivergent ones, we need to stop putting the burden of managing big emotions solely on them and instead take a hard look at the environments we create.” From @againstrestraint.com:
endseclusion.org/2025/07/10/n... #neurodiversity
endseclusion.org/2025/07/10/n... #neurodiversity
Neurodivergent Students Don’t Need a Calm Corner, They a Whole Classroom Rooted in Calm, Connection, and Compassion
“Just make a calm-down space in your room!” they say, as if emotional regulation can be solved with a bean bag chair, a glitter jar, and a cute sign that says “breathe.” But here’s what so many people...
endseclusion.org
July 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
“If we truly want to support dysregulated students, especially neurodivergent ones, we need to stop putting the burden of managing big emotions solely on them and instead take a hard look at the environments we create.” From @againstrestraint.com:
endseclusion.org/2025/07/10/n... #neurodiversity
endseclusion.org/2025/07/10/n... #neurodiversity
I use this line in my teacher training all the time. It's sad.
July 17, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I use this line in my teacher training all the time. It's sad.
Thanks for sharing! I'd almost forgotten about this one.
"Ten Vital Reasons to Never, Ever Share an Autism Meltdown Video"
autisticnotweird.com/meltdown-vid...
Credit @chrisbonnello.bsky.social
#autism #AutismAcceptance #neurodiversity
autisticnotweird.com/meltdown-vid...
Credit @chrisbonnello.bsky.social
#autism #AutismAcceptance #neurodiversity
Ten vital reasons to never, ever share an autism meltdown video - Autistic Not Weird
They are not “awareness”. They are abuse, and this is why.
autisticnotweird.com
July 16, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Thanks for sharing! I'd almost forgotten about this one.
Totally forgot to post this on BlueSky. Thanks Caroline!
Seen this by the brillant @chrisbonnello.bsky.social Autistic Not Weird over on LinkedIn and honestly think we should start using it. 👏👏
July 10, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Totally forgot to post this on BlueSky. Thanks Caroline!
Reposted by Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
I love the underdogs series and decided to buy my best friend Shannon the series at the autism show as she's autistic too, then realised my autistic cousin may also love them! Can't wait for them both to read them. Lovely seeing you again @chrisbonnello.bsky.social
#autistic #neurodivergent #ADHD
#autistic #neurodivergent #ADHD
July 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I love the underdogs series and decided to buy my best friend Shannon the series at the autism show as she's autistic too, then realised my autistic cousin may also love them! Can't wait for them both to read them. Lovely seeing you again @chrisbonnello.bsky.social
#autistic #neurodivergent #ADHD
#autistic #neurodivergent #ADHD
Reposted by Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
Over on @ukyaspotlight.bsky.social: Interview with Nathanael Lessore, Chris Bonnello, and Bex Hogan
#UKYA #UKYASpotlight @chrisbonnello.bsky.social @bexhogan.bsky.social @zephyrbooks.bsky.social
@hotkeybooks.bsky.social @neemtreepress.bsky.social
ukyaspotlight.co.uk/2025/07/01/a...
#UKYA #UKYASpotlight @chrisbonnello.bsky.social @bexhogan.bsky.social @zephyrbooks.bsky.social
@hotkeybooks.bsky.social @neemtreepress.bsky.social
ukyaspotlight.co.uk/2025/07/01/a...
Annual Event 2025: Nathanael Lessore, Chris Bonnello, and Bex Hogan
Interview with three UKYA authors
ukyaspotlight.co.uk
July 1, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Over on @ukyaspotlight.bsky.social: Interview with Nathanael Lessore, Chris Bonnello, and Bex Hogan
#UKYA #UKYASpotlight @chrisbonnello.bsky.social @bexhogan.bsky.social @zephyrbooks.bsky.social
@hotkeybooks.bsky.social @neemtreepress.bsky.social
ukyaspotlight.co.uk/2025/07/01/a...
#UKYA #UKYASpotlight @chrisbonnello.bsky.social @bexhogan.bsky.social @zephyrbooks.bsky.social
@hotkeybooks.bsky.social @neemtreepress.bsky.social
ukyaspotlight.co.uk/2025/07/01/a...
Reposted by Chris Bonnello - Autistic Not Weird
#UKYASpotlight Annual Event 2025: Interview with Nathanael Lessore, Chris Bonnello, and Bex Hogan
#UKYA #UKYASpotlight @chrisbonnello.bsky.social @bexhogan.bsky.social @zephyrbooks.bsky.social @hotkeybooks.bsky.social @neemtreepress.bsky.social
ukyaspotlight.co.uk/2025/07/01/a...
#UKYA #UKYASpotlight @chrisbonnello.bsky.social @bexhogan.bsky.social @zephyrbooks.bsky.social @hotkeybooks.bsky.social @neemtreepress.bsky.social
ukyaspotlight.co.uk/2025/07/01/a...
Annual Event 2025: Nathanael Lessore, Chris Bonnello, and Bex Hogan
Interview with three UKYA authors
ukyaspotlight.co.uk
July 1, 2025 at 10:36 AM
#UKYASpotlight Annual Event 2025: Interview with Nathanael Lessore, Chris Bonnello, and Bex Hogan
#UKYA #UKYASpotlight @chrisbonnello.bsky.social @bexhogan.bsky.social @zephyrbooks.bsky.social @hotkeybooks.bsky.social @neemtreepress.bsky.social
ukyaspotlight.co.uk/2025/07/01/a...
#UKYA #UKYASpotlight @chrisbonnello.bsky.social @bexhogan.bsky.social @zephyrbooks.bsky.social @hotkeybooks.bsky.social @neemtreepress.bsky.social
ukyaspotlight.co.uk/2025/07/01/a...