Sign in

Cheryl McNeil

@audacious-autism.bsky.social
104 followers 80 following 30 posts

Autistic advocate, author, ESL teacher, librarian, artist, fanatic for most animals, immigrant to Ecuador. Substack: @autisticselkiesightings

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
daily bunnies 🐇✨ @dailybunnies.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Close-up of a bunny with a gray and white face, pink nose and its mouth open.
51104172
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Jim Musil Painter @jimmusilpainter.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
My painting NORTHERN SUMMER SKY
1466080
Cheryl McNeil @audacious-autism.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
open.substack.com/pub/selkiesi...
open.substack.com
Blunt and Fair, #001: Custody and and the Lie of Parental "Alienation"
Here is the situation: a child doesn’t want to go to her father’s.
000
Cheryl McNeil @audacious-autism.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
From the Desk of Bridgette Hamstead bridgettehamstead.substack.com?r=dwgnm&utm_...
bridgettehamstead.substack.com
From the Desk of Bridgette Hamstead | Substack
From the Desk of Bridgette Hamstead is a Substack about neurodiversity justice, leadership, and the lived experience of an AuDHD woman building a global movement. Click to read From the Desk of Bridge...
010
Cheryl McNeil @audacious-autism.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
LOVE this Substack! autside.substack.com/p/the-long-r...
autside.substack.com
The Long Return: On Femmeness, Stone, and the Memory That Would Not Die
A meandering through gender, softness, ancestral knowing, and the sacred refusal to be made small.
010
Cheryl McNeil @audacious-autism.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
selkiesightings.substack.com/p/autism-and...
selkiesightings.substack.com
An Autistic Life in Ecuador, #002: Autism and Climbing the Social Ladder
Photo: Annie the Long, Ecuadorian guinea pig extraordinaire .
000
Cheryl McNeil @audacious-autism.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
selkiesightings.substack.com/p/an-autisti...
selkiesightings.substack.com
An Autistic Life in Ecuador, #003: Of Footie and Auties
…because I don’t have a pic of a soccer ball; and because guinea pig lips are never not relevant to discussion of a good life.
000
Cheryl McNeil @audacious-autism.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
open.substack.com/pub/selkiesi...
open.substack.com
An Autistic Life in Ecuador, #004: Of Cats and Auties
Ziva (above), a good friend’s cat, is vocal, making her human open doors at her command.
000
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
19thnews @19thnews.org · 29/05/2025
@errinhaines.bsky.social reached out to several Black women she talks with often to ask a single question: “Five years after the racial reckoning of 2020, what did that moment ask of you — and what, if anything, did it give back?” Read their responses:
19thnews.org
From reckoning to backlash, Black women reflect on the stakes of the moment
Five years after the killing of George Floyd prompted millions of people to protest, promises have been broken and work undone.
02311
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Ferry Godmother @ferrygodmother.com · 14/05/2025
People with ADHD may struggle with organization and focus, but why do they experience these symptoms? Read more: ferrygodmother.com/how-adhd-aff... #Neurodivergent #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #Autism #ADHD #AuDHD #TouretteSyndrome #tourette #disorder #autism #audhd #ocd #dyslexia #asd
ferrygodmother.com
How Does ADHD Affect the Brain? - Ferry Godmother Productions
Individuals with ADHD have brains that work different than others. But how does ADHD affect the brain?
073
Cheryl McNeil @audacious-autism.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Plaza San Francisco, Cuenca, Ecuador 2025. #CommunityinCuenca
Plaza San Francisco, Cuenca, Ecuador 2025
010
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Rebecca Solnit @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
A thousand yeses to this from Cole Arthur Riley.
7430133
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Nicole Filippone, Autistic Advocate & Author @nicolefilippone.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
Self-diagnosis IS valid #autisticadvocacy
1821625
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Schooley @schooley.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
I'm so old I remember Republicans waving pocket constitutions around like lightsabers.
2354675
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
NBC News @nbcnews.com · 27/04/2025
Some experts are concerned that the Trump administration’s ongoing cuts to the National Science Foundation may signal the end for American research in Antarctica.
nbcnews.to
Amid federal research cuts, some Antarctic tourist cruises are sponsoring scientists
Wealthy adventurers and bucket listers rub shoulders with scientists looking to gather data as funding vanishes under the Trump administration.
128024
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · 22/04/2025
From sensory sensitivities to a lack of accessible information, periods can present unique challenges for autistic people.
tcnv.link
Autistic people’s experiences of periods are under-researched – here’s why that needs to change
From sensory sensitivities to a lack of accessible information, periods can present unique challenges for autistic people.
051
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · 07/04/2025
Mother and three kids released by Ice after protests from US ‘border czar’s’ hometown
theguardian.com
Mother and three kids released by Ice after protests from US ‘border czar’s’ hometown
About a thousand people marched outside of Tom Homan’s home in village of less than 1,500 after family was detained A mother and her three children who were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agents as part of a sweep in the tiny hometown of the Trump administration’s “border czar”, Tom Homan, have been released following days of outcry from community figures, advocates and protesters calling for their freedom. Over the weekend, about a thousand protesters marched outside of Homan’s home in a small New York village, calling for the release of the family after they were detained last month. The family has not been named or spoken out publicly. Continue reading...
38632
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Nicole Filippone, Autistic Advocate & Author @nicolefilippone.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
Telling a person with a brain wiring disability that they just need to try harder to face their challenges is like telling a person who can't walk that they just need to try harder to walk. It's not about trying harder. It's about trying DIFFERENTLY. And most disabled people need help to do that.
520030
Cheryl McNeil @audacious-autism.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
This is why diagnosis and self-diagnosis is so crucial. And why accommodations are life-saving. Literally. www.cam.ac.uk/research/new...
cam.ac.uk
Study reveals high rate of possible undiagnosed autism in people who died by suicide
A significant number of people who died by suicide were likely autistic, but undiagnosed, according to new research that highlights the urgent need for earlier
020
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Pablo 🎧 @pabloista.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
We are a lost generation and some of us are not here to tell the tale. We don’t want special treatment we just want to know how we can learn to live a better life For many of us it’s a matter of life and death www.cam.ac.uk/research/new...
cam.ac.uk
Study reveals high rate of possible undiagnosed autism in people who died by suicide
A significant number of people who died by suicide were likely autistic, but undiagnosed, according to new research that highlights the urgent need for earlier
1184
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Nicole Filippone, Autistic Advocate & Author @nicolefilippone.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Is it single minded, or laser focused? Is it obsessive or goal oriented? Is it stubborn or persistent? Is it self-obsorbed or ambitious? And why is it that when autistic people do it, it's always the former and never the latter? 🤔
38114
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Physicians for a Healthy Democracy @physiciandemocracy.medsky.social · 05/04/2025
Sign of the day…
So fucked up that even introverts are here
206144592586
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Rebecca Solnit @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
It wasn't ten million yesterday, but it was a hell of a lot.
need to see sources/methods before I take this number for a fact--but it's a really exciting number. Alt NPS says in the comments, "Estimates were based on reports from over 1,600 events nationwide. More than 21,000 coalition members traveled across the country to volunteer and help monitor safety at each location. These volunteers worked closely with local authorities to assess crowd sizes. Their reports were compiled and added together to arrive at the overall participation estimate."
Alt National Park Service
2h  · 
Yesterday was incredible. The official count is in — 5.2 million people joined the #HandsOff protest nationwide. So many are asking: what’s next? Mark your calendars: 4/19 is the next nationwide day of protest. Let’s go even bigger — our goal is to get 3.5% of America in the streets. Some media outlets are reporting only “tens of thousands” participated, but that’s no accident. Downplaying the turnout is a tactic to suppress momentum. But you were there. You saw the crowds. Even small red-district towns showed up in force. Don’t let them rewrite the story. It was a historic day — and we’re just getting started. We are proud of all of you — for many, this was your first protest, and you showed up with strength and purpose. Thank you to all the local authorities who helped keep everyone safe, and to the many military members and off-duty officers who attended and monitored the situation. Keep your signs, make new ones, and start preparing now. Let’s make history again on 4/19.
827745
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Heard Island Government @heardislandgov.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
Sen. Peter Squelch (Black Faced Shealthbill party) addressing congress today. He is attempting to champion a resolution to sell penguin eggs in return for tariff renegotiation. So far, he’s received cold shoulders and some Senators who’ve even flipped the bird, in a typically polite Ice House.
Endemic black faced sheathbill looking down on penguin masses on Heard Island
20687131580
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
LunaLuvgood2020 @lunaluvgood2020.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Be like Rosemary #HandsOff #April5
205138483170
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Emily Carter @emilycurates.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
Watch this little one show true compassion by helping a #cat drink, one gentle hand at a time
114512
Cheryl McNeil @audacious-autism.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
Have you measured your guinea pigs? This is Annie, an Ecuadorian sow. She's 32 cm long! I'm curious to hear what your guineas measure. I certainly don't remember my piggies in the US being this looooong
010
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
In many ways this was another horrific week. Like a terrible hurricane, the Trump dictatorship is sweeping more people into its maw while further destroying our public institutions and wrecking what’s left of our civil norms. Yet this week also featured 11 reasons for modest optimism.
robertreich.substack.com
Additional small reasons for modest optimism
11 from this week
39945241
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Autistic Adam @autisticadam.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Yes autistic me doesn't pick up on social cues, but I pick up on someone just not being genuine instead.
1425427
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
SCOOP— Social Security Administration (SSA) will be slashing more jobs at direction of the WH/OPM/OMB, multiple agency sources confirmed to me. This is despite Acting Commissioner Dudek’s assurances two weeks ago that no more RIFs would be necessary this fiscal year after hitting downsizing targets.
341082461
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Sen. Cory Booker @booker.senate.gov · 03/04/2025
"Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it; no constitution, no law, no court can even do much to help it." -Judge L Hand May we rise in the spirit and do what is necessary to protect our nation.
17779581624
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
NEW — After putting all Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) employees on administrative leave Monday, I'm told DOGE is canceling congressionally-appropriated grants to state libraries across the entire country. Libraries are getting notice that funding was canceled as of 4/1. More here:
everylibrary.org
EveryLibrary Condemns the Trump Administration's Termination of IMLS Grants as an Attack on Libraries, Museums, and Archives Everywhere.
State Library Agencies and other grant recipients across the country began receiving official notices from the Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services terminating their grants,...
5720991232
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Emily Carter @emilycurates.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
The Pied pattern can appear in nearly all types of #peafowl, with the Indian Blue Pied Peafowl featuring striking white accents. The #peacock’s iridescent feathers aren’t actually colored— they’re the result of microscopic structures that reflect light in unique ways!
825827
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Axios @axios.com · 03/04/2025
Protesters are rallying against several Trump administration policies, including its handling of Social Security benefits, layoffs across the federal workforce, attacks on consumer protections and anti-immigrant policies and attacks on transgender people.
axios.com
What to know about Saturday's nationwide "Hands Off!" anti-Trump protests
More than 1,100 rallies, visibility events and meetings were scheduled.
1231488
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Just Lynn 💙🦋✌️🇺🇦 @shoredweller7.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
13671165
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Allan @allan1.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Remembe This ~
214729
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
i appreciate that no one even tried with april fool’s day this year because we know we’re not psychologically equipped for that shit right now
442010133
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Nicole Filippone, Autistic Advocate & Author @nicolefilippone.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
As a level 1 autistic person, my autistic challenges are similar to my vision challenges (I also wear glasses). Without external support, I'm impaired. With it, I'm as capable as ppl who don't have autistic challenges. And I feel like this might be helpful to someone. So there it is. 😊
5939
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 02/04/2025
Breaking news: Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) broke a record Tuesday night for the longest U.S. Senate floor speech of the modern era, surpassing Sen. Strom Thurmond’s 1957 remarks inside the chamber that lasted 24 hours.
wapo.st
Cory Booker breaks modern record for longest speech from Senate floor
The New Jersey Democrat is speaking in protest of the Trump administration’s policies. His record-breaking speech is not delaying the Senate from a vote, so it is not a filibuster.
341109150
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · 31/03/2025
Many autistic people engage repetitive movements, sounds, or actions that help them regulate their emotions and sensory experiences.
tcnv.link
Autistic stimming explained – and why stopping it can lead to burnout
Many autistic people engage repetitive movements, sounds, or actions that help them regulate their emotions and sensory experiences.
3228
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Joseph D. Ortiz @earthsciinfo.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
Science provides our best estimate of the physical world around us, how it operates & changes. Pretending that is not the case does not change reality. It just puts us at greater risk, & natures bats last. It's long past time to #StopBurningFossilFuels. #ClimateChange #Energy #Renewables 🧪🔌💡☀️💨🔋
34817
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Hannah Harris Green @whatsitlike.me · 19/03/2025
The myth that vaccines cause autism is harmful to public health, not just because it lowers vaccination rates, but because it contributes to stigma and negative stereotypes about autism. My latest for @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Debunked myths that vaccines cause autism are increasing stigma
As parents resist vaccines over vague potential harms, advocates call it a case of ‘morals more than science’
525187
Reposted by Cheryl McNeil
Matterist Books @matteristbooks.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Charlotte Perkins Gilman on Why She Wrote “The Yellow Wallpaper”
lithub.com
Charlotte Perkins Gilman on Why She Wrote “The Yellow Wallpaper”
Why I Wrote “The Yellow Wallpaper” Many and many a reader has asked that. When the story first came out, in the New England Magazine about 1891, a Boston physician made protest in The Transcript. S…
031
Cheryl McNeil @audacious-autism.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
Guinea pig (cuy) therapy. Calm the nervous system while the world turns upside down. -- Ailie with Petunia
130
Cheryl McNeil @audacious-autism.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
Remedy for hard times: floating above it all, at least for a few moments. -- on road from Guayaquil to Cuenca, Ecuador
000