Alexandra|She on the Spectrum

Screenshot of an instagram post by MPR news that has a photo of Dr. Angeline Dukes smiling with a 30 Under 30 chocolate cake. The headline reads U of M neuroscience assistant professor makes Forbes 30 under 30 list for her work in empowering Black scholars. The post is liked by over 7,000 people.

My live radio interview on MPR News ✨

www.mprnews.org/episode/2024...

Giving the time and space to do a deep dive. ☺️ what about you?

No one believes me when I say I am so it’s more condescending and rude. I’ve contemplated laminating my paperwork as proof and keeping it on hand. 🙃

Tests do not give us the whole picture. Creativity, critical thinking, and REAL-WORLD skills are skills we need to be nurturing. #assessment #education

Things on my mind (education): Parent involvement isn't just about attending conferences. It's about showing up for your kid, however you can. We need to support ALL families, not judge them. #parenting #community

What if lesson planning wasn’t just faster—but truly transformative? 🌟 As a @magicschoolai.bsky.social Pioneer, I’m using this platform to create personalized, inclusive tools for all learners. 🌍 It’s a game-changer for education. The future of learning is here—what’s your vision? Let’s connect! ✨📚

I don't know who needs to hear this, but you don't need to justify your reading preferences and choices to anyone. Audiobooks count as reading. Also, you don't have to finish books you don't enjoy. Don't read to impress, read for yourself. Life's too short, love yourself, ok?

Signed, a librarian.

I think Taylor would appreciate mine and Glitch’s version… maybe. Is it weird? Yes. Is it wonderful? Also yes. 🤣🎭🎶 #TaylorSwift #TolerateIt #hobbies #erastour

So nice to see you here on bluesky! I’ve always enjoyed your content. I was also diagnosed later in life, so your journey really resonates with me. The clarity it brings is life-changing! Thank you for creating a space where people feel seen and supported! 🤍

Nonfiction That Hits Different

Unmasking Autism—Validate yourself. 🧠
Loud Hands—Essays that’ll hype you up. 📢
NeuroTribes—Autism history, but not boring.

💬 Read any of these? Got more recs? Drop ‘em. 💙

✨ For Adults

On the Edge of Gone—Sci-fi but make it real. 🚀
The Kiss Quotient—an autistic heroine gets the guy (and it’s spicy 👀).
An Unkindness of Ghosts—intense, beautiful, unforgettable.
✨

✨ For Preteens

A Kind of Spark—Justice, humor, and heart.
Can You See Me? – It’s like reading a bestie’s diary. 🧡
The Goldfish Boy—Mystery + neurodivergent vibes.

✨ For Kids

My Brother Charlie—Sweet sibling love, no fluff.
All My Stripes—Stripes = strengths. 🦓
I See Things Differently—A Soft Intro to Autism.

📚 Books Autistic Readers Actually Love 💙

Need a weekend read that hits? These recs come straight from autistic voices—authentic, empowering, and just plain good:

What’s a hill you’ll die on? Recess is a necessity, not a privilege. Prioritize connection over consequences—help kids thrive, not just comply. #RecessMatters #NeurodiversityInEducation

We are now up to 78 accounts on our Black In Neuro starter pack! Be sure to check back and make sure you have everyone added 🤗

Please let us know if we missed you!

#BlackInSTEM #Neuroskyence #Psychology #AcademicSky 🧪

go.bsky.app/F8PpdPe

This isn’t just about individuals; it’s systemic. Brilliant professionals miss the signs because they’re not taught to look for them.

We need better training, better understanding, and better support.

#AutismInGirls #Masking #Neurodiversity #Parenting

For me, that three-second rule for eye contact became second nature. But it was never natural. My daughter’s already walking the same tightrope.

We need professionals to see beyond the mask.

Autism in girls doesn’t look the same. It’s not always meltdowns or hyperactivity, it’s mimicking, masking, and adapting.

And this is the experience of a white, middle-class girl. Black and POC girls face even greater barriers to being seen and understood.

Masking is why so many autistic girls are overlooked. They work so hard to appear “normal” that people assume they’re fine.

But they’re not fine.

The toll of masking is real—and the patriarchy’s obsession with “polite,” compliant girls only makes it worse

Here’s what frustrates me: the evaluator is brilliant. She’s younger, educated, and compassionate. But even she isn’t fully up to date on how masking skews how autistic girls are perceived.

We’re still failing girls like my daughter.

So when I read in my daughter’s evaluation that she had “socially modulated eye contact,” I knew what that meant. She’s already learning to mask, to hide, to blend in, just like I did.

It’s heartbreaking to see her on the same path.

I used to think my social skills came naturally. They didn’t. I had memorized and practiced them to survive. What I thought was “normal” behavior was actually masking.

Masking is exhausting and it hides so much of who you really are.

I told her, “Well, I learned a loooong time ago that you’re supposed to hold eye contact for three seconds, then look away for a second before looking back. So in my head, I’m always counting to three.”

Her response? “Yeah... We should look into this further.”

That moment reframed my entire life.

When I finally brought it up to my doctor, I felt ridiculous. “I don’t think I’m autistic,” I said. “I make great eye contact.”💁🏼‍♀️

She looked at me and asked, “What do you mean by ‘great eye contact?’”

That question changed everything.

Thread: Masking and Missed Diagnoses in Autistic Girls 🧵

“She presented as a happy, talkative student with socially modulated eye contact.”

This line from my daughter’s evaluation hit hard. I wondered a long time if I might be autistic, but I dismissed it bc… I make “good eye contact.”

💜🌟🌈 My neuro-affirming starter pack includes a collection of wonderful individuals and organizations dedicated to supporting autistic individuals and effecting positive change. Please follow and share. 💜🌟🌈

go.bsky.app/9N5UEUC

When men rage, they blow and shoot things up and start wars.

When women rage, we create.

We knit, do embroidery and cross stitch. We create new things ... while we figure out how to fix the broken things.

Behold rage project #1

That’s amazing! Advocating for yourself and graduating with two BAs this spring? Absolutely incredible; congrats!

Now the real question: how do I take what I’ve learned and make it matter? I have so many ideas and I need to get my thoughts in order!

#LearningOutLoud #MagicSchoolAI #EducationTech