#autistikids

but i have an idea to get past this -- i’m autistic!! for once, the ableist stereotypes and stigma around autism that says autistic people are eternal children may help me. i can send my submission in with “i’m 14 but i wanted to send it in anyway. i’m autistic and the care bears is one of my special interests!!!” i may get chosen so that the staff feels good about themselves (inspiration p--n, but whatever).

also, i want to make an autistic care bear!! not only will autism help me have a chance at being chosen despite being above the age limit, i can make the bear’s theme around autism acceptance, and give them a personality too -- i can teach them about stimming and how special interests work, the importance of autism acceptance over autism awareness, and i might even be able to teach them why a$ is bad. not only do i have a greater chance of being chosen because i’m autistic, but the bear also serves a good purpose of smashing stigma and creating diversity in the care bear family.

so... i haven’t actually drawn the bear yet, but they’re most likely going to be a girl (to combat the stereotype that only boys are autistic) with red fur and a neurodiversity symbol as her belly badge. i’m trying to think of names, but right now the only thing I can think of is AutistiBear - kinda like AutistiCat - but that doesn’t have a nice ring to it.

Kiddie holiday things!