Update 8/12/2025: Copies have gone out to all current members of Congress, House and Senate. It’s been a cathartic experience. I have gotten a few letters back from legislators. Some of them are basic form letters, but I did get a hand written note from George Latimer, Representative from New York’s 16th District. While I am moving on from this project, I am not moving on from the greater mission of education about, compassion for, and empowerment of autistic voices.
One of the most popular things I’ve written, the piece I get the most positive responses on, is my personal glossary zine “A is for Autistic.” I wrote it from a human perspective, taking a look at all the new terms I learned since my diagnosis and providing accessible, relatable definitions to them. Too much of the conversation around autism, and neurodivergence in general, is hidden behind euphemisms or buried in the language of the medical deficit paradigm of disability. People have thanked me over and over again for putting these terms into words they can understand.
Yesterday was the last day of Autism Acceptance Month 2025. It has been a very rough month for autistic people in the United States. The new Secretary of Health and Human Services has been spreading outdated information, hurtful prejudices, and repeating outright lies that have long since been debunked. I have suffered some hits to my ability to function in the past few weeks because of this. And I’m a fairly low support needs autistic person who has learned a lot of helpful techniques. For other autistic people I know, it’s been meltdown city lately.
The spread of misinformation about us hurts us deeply.
I have decided to counter the spread of misinformation at the Federal Government level. What I want to do is mail a copy of my “A is for Autistic” booklet to each of the 535 members of Congress. I can easily manage the three members of whom I am a constituent. The other 532 is going to be a stretch.
I’m almost out of copies of my original print run I made in 2023. I’m going to have to print some more for this project.
I have a quote from an offset printer who can print my 48 page booklet plus cover for about $1.30 each. With current postage prices, it costs $1.01 to mail a 2 ounce envelope. If you figure the cost of the envelope, it’s in the neighborhood of $2.50 a piece to print and send them. $2.50 times 535 is $1,330.00.
I have recently expanded the goal! The printing and the stamps are covered. Now, I want to take a trip to DC to hand deliver at least a dozen copies to Congressional offices. This requires plane tickets for me and an emotional support human. Any help is appreciated.
If you are interested in getting a copy for yourself, Microcosm Publishing has them in stock. I also have it listed on my Etsy store.
If you are interested in sending copies to your Senators and Representatives from your own address with a note from you as a constituent, message me and we’ll figure out how to make that happen.
Thank you so much for your support.
Best,
Andrew
Partly Robot Industries 