Getty image by Carlos Photos This article appeared on January 31, 2017 on The Mighty under the title 'How Comedians Can Stop Using Words That Insult People With Disabilities' by Maura Campbell Editor’s note: This article contains language some readers may find offensive. I have noticed an interesting phenomenon in comedy shows: the more a…
This article appeared on September 28, 2017 on Pos'Ability Magazine by Maura Campbell Since becoming the parent of a child with additional needs, I’ve looked at the world through different eyes. I noticed very quickly that casual conversation, internet debates and even Disney movies are peppered with pejorative language relating to learning disability. Words like…
I am a features writer for Spectrum Women Magazine and have also written on autism and learning disability for a number of other publications. I live in the Northern Ireland countryside with my husband Stephen, son Darragh, Ash the assistance dog and Baz the cat (who is no help whatsoever). I was diagnosed with Asperger…
This article appeared on September 8, 2016 on Spectrum Women Magazine by Maura Campbell I was born with the social skills of a used teabag. Seriously, I thought maybe the other kids in school had been handed a manual on “peopling” one day when I was off sick or something. But thankfully I’ve learned enough over…
This article appeared on April 1, 2017 on Spectrum Women Magazine by Maura Campbell Around this time of year, I usually get asked to speak or write about autism. I’m happy to do my bit. April is Autism Awareness Month and 2nd April is World Autism Awareness Day. It’s a good opportunity to engage with people outside…
This article appeared on June 18, 2017 on Spectrum Women Magazine by Maura Campbell “What’s wrong with him, then?” The man gawped at my nine-year-old son, taking in his noise-cancelling headphones, the belt around his waist and the strap attaching him to the dog. He then turned his full attention to me. He stared, demanding a…
This article appeared on April 22, 2017 on Spectrum Women Magazine by Maura Campbell Whether to disclose an autism diagnosis is an important issue for many newly diagnosed adults. I would never presume to tell someone in that position what to do, though I would encourage them to take a bit of time to think about…
This excerpt is from a collaborative article that appeared on June 12, 2017 on Spectrum Women Magazine by Maura Campbell Maura Campbell I have always loved writing. In school, the other kids groaned when we were set an essay but I beamed. It let my fertile imagination run free. It made me feel capable. It soothed…
This article appeared on July 24, 2017 on Spectrum Women Magazine by Maura Campbell The teacher, a stern woman of a certain age, folded her arms across her ample bosom and stared intently over the top of her thick-rimmed glasses. The reason for her evident irritation cowered before her – a painfully shy seven-year-old girl. A…
This article appeared on September 6, 2017 on Spectrum Women Magazine by Maura Campbell Imagine for a moment what it would be like if medical practitioners talked about red haired people the way they talk about autistics. (Stay with me.) A description of a redhead might go something like this: Nearly 2% of people worldwide suffer…
Neuro Dizzy 