The Beautiful Minds That Refuse to Look Away

As Autism Acceptance Month comes to a close, I want to do more than acknowledge the challenges autistic people face, I want to celebrate those who are leading the charge for justice.

We live in a society that often dehumanizes anyone who sees or experiences the world differently. But many people with autism, shaped by their own struggles, refuse to look away from injustice. They lead—quietly, boldly, persistently.

One of my favorite things about my daughter is her empathy. After facing challenges in a school system that didn't see or value her unique brilliance, we had to choose an alternative path. That painful journey shaped her into an advocate—someone who believes others like her should thrive, not just survive. It turns out, this kind of empathy is a common superpower among neurodivergent people.

I think of Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, pushing for racial and educational justice for autistic youth of color. Of Lydia X. Z. Brown, an autistic disability rights activist, writer, attorney, and public speaker, advocating fiercely for housing rights and against incarceration. Or Finn Gardiner, exposing the ways food insecurity intersects with disability justice. Their work reminds us that autistic leadership isn't optional, but essential.

I also think of the people we serve through City Relief, where our teams in NYC and NJ support people experiencing homelessness. We're meeting more unhoused guests on the spectrum—many undiagnosed, many unsupported—and we're committed to making sure they're not left out of the conversation. Real advocacy meets people where they are, with real support and dignity.

And always, I come back to my daughter—curious, tender, and wise. I hope she chooses to build a better world, not because she has to, but because she wants to. And when that day comes, I hope you’ll stand with her.

Let's honor autistic leaders with action. Let's partner with them—my daughter included—to build a world where no one is unseen, unsheltered, or unheard.

With Gratitude,

Josiah Haken

City Relief, CEO