GKCAC - Greater Kansas City Autism Coalition

05/15/2023

The pandemic slowed things down, but it may be time to relaunch the GKCAC initiative.

The goal of GKCAC was to bring together the disparate groups engaged in autism throughout the KC region. We have phenomenal resources in the area, including researchers, entrepreneurs, healthcare providers, and legislators that play key roles in defining autism treatment, awareness, inclusion, and integration. (You'll note that we didn't specifically note autistics; we include their voices as they already work in many of these roles.)

We still think GKCAC is a good idea, and all the web assets have been retained. If you're interested in having a role to revive GKCAC, please send us a DM and we'll be in touch.

Send a message to learn more

03/23/2021

11/20/2020

All - GKCAC is taking a little break, but we'll be back and roaring in Spring 2021!

GKCAC hibernating until Spring 2021 Post author By gkcacrules Post date November 20, 2020 No Comments on GKCAC hibernating until Spring 2021 All – Well, 2020 has been an interesting year, but it hasn’t knocked us down. The Greater Kansas City Autism Coalition is still very much needed and alive,...

08/19/2020

The way that we talk about autism and Autistic people matters.

There is this awful stereotype of Autistic people being mechanical robotic beings with no sentience or emotions, often based on a misunderstanding of our ability to communicate and be understood.

Don't presume your Autistic child can't hear you when you speak about autism as if it's a tragedy.
Don't presume your Autistic child doesn't feel hurt when they hear the things you say about them.

You may expect someone to communicate their pain when you say something hurtful, but Autistic people are often not able to communicate our emotions in a way that is understood or accepted by allistics.

If you wouldn't want something said about you, don't say it about your Autistic kid. Be mindful of your language choices. Be mindful of how your words can hurt.

Verbal abuse isn't just cussing and insulting and threatening.
Verbal abuse is also, "I wish you weren't Autistic, your existence is a hardship for me."

[Image description: two pools of oil-slick colors shaped like hearts, with green text that reads "Autism isn't a tragedy."]

06/28/2020

06/27/2020

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Since next week is the 4th of July, are there any tips autistics have for how younger autistics can deal with the sensory issues around fireworks?

06/21/2020

06/20/2020

06/19/2020

Happy Autistic Pride Day!

06/06/2020

These are trying times for everyone. Love yourself, and know you’re doing the best you can, whoever you are.

Autistic Allies - Supporting Autistics to be Themselves