Introducing: The Awkward Autistic Black Girl’s Blog “NeuroNotes: Buzzing Thoughts”

Welcome to The Awkward Autistic Black Girl

Hello and welcome!
If you’re reading this, first let me say — I’m so glad you’re here. Whether you’re autistic yourself, love someone who is, or you’re simply curious about the experiences of autistic women (especially Black autistic women), you’ve found a safe corner of the internet where authenticity comes first.

This is the very first post on our official blog, Neuronotes: Buzzing Thoughts — a space where ideas, insights, awkward moments, and lived experiences come together. Think of it as a journal, a resource hub, and a growing hive of reflection and connection for autistic individuals like us.

Who I Am & Why I’m Here

My name is Alisha, and I’m the founder of The Awkward Autistic Black Girl (TAABG). I’m a Black autistic woman navigating a world that often misunderstands people like me, and I know firsthand how isolating that can feel. I am also self-diagnosed after years of feeling like something was “off” but never truly being able to figure out what it was.

For most of my life, I didn’t have the language to describe why I experienced the world so differently. I masked, I adapted, I played roles, but I rarely felt seen. Learning about autism felt like finding the missing puzzle piece that explained so much of my life.

Although I never went through the formal diagnosis process (partly because it can be expensive, inaccessible, and biased against women of color), my lived experience is undeniable. When I realized I was autistic, it was both a relief and a responsibility. If I had gone most of my life without seeing myself represented or even knowing autism applied to me, I knew countless others were likely feeling the same way. And I know I’m not the only one. Many autistic women, especially Black women, go undiagnosed for most (or all) of their lives.

That’s why I started TAABG, to create a space for autistic people who don’t often see themselves represented, and to use my voice to help others feel less alone.

Why This Matters to Me

Autism is complex. It’s not a single story or a single experience.
There’s a huge gap in representation for autistic women (especially women of color) across the entire support needs spectrum.

Autism also looks different for everyone, and each experience is valid.

For higher support needs autistic women: You deserve visibility, respect, and advocacy. Too often, your experiences are erased from public conversations about autism, even though your needs and voices are just as valid.

For lower support needs autistic people (like myself): We may have more access to speech, independence, or social adaptability — but that doesn’t mean life is easy. We often face burnout, chronic masking, and invisible struggles. And because we can speak and advocate, we have a responsibility to use our voices to push for better understanding, inclusion, and protection for those who cannot always speak for themselves.

What You Can Expect from NeuroNotes

This isn’t just a blog. This is a community.
Here are some of the topics we’ll be focusing on:

• Representation – Elevating the stories of higher support needs autistic women and autistic women of color.

• Education & Advocacy – Breaking down autism myths, highlighting real-world challenges, and providing resources to help people understand us better.

• Lived Experience – Sharing my personal journey as a lower support needs autistic woman navigating life, work, relationships, and self-acceptance.

• Empowerment – Encouraging autistic individuals who can advocate for themselves to stand up for those who cannot.

• Community Connection – Building a space where autistic people of all support needs feel seen and valued.

A Note from Me

The Awkward Autistic Black Girl isn’t about perfection; it’s about truth. It’s about showing up as we are, celebrating our unique ways of moving through the world, and reminding each other that we’re not alone.

If you’ve ever felt like the awkward one, the too-much one, or the quiet one in the room, just know, you belong here.
I’m so excited for what we’ll build together here in Neuronotes, and I hope something in these buzzing thoughts helps you feel a little more seen.

Welcome to the hive. 🐝

— Alisha