Sam Theriault

Autism is a Four-Leaf Clover

The more I think about Autism April and the more I read from fellow autistic people I follow, the more inspired I feel to shift focus from autism ‘acceptance’ to ‘autistic pride.’ This post is about one of my most joyful experiences – finding four-leaf clovers.

Museums & Autistic Joy/Empowerment

I’m going to share a couple bits of autistic joy/empowerment that I’ve come to celebrate from my museum career so far.

Programming for Autistic Audiences: Access in Virtual Museum Programs

About 25 pressed flowers and plants such as leaves, four leaf clovers, and flower petals on a white background.

We, the people, made museums; and we, the autistic people, are part of the “public” audiences museums aim to serve… Wherever your museum is, I assure you, part of your community is at risk.

Masking my Autistic Traits as a Museum Professional

a white hand holding two large 4 leaf clovers in front of many small daisies

In my advocacy and museum work, I often feel like I need to walk a fine line between masking my autistic traits or low-functioning days/weeks and communicating the reality of my experience as an autistic museum professional. In many interactions with colleagues at conferences and online, I’ve been met with confusion or disbelief when IContinue reading “Masking my Autistic Traits as a Museum Professional”

JUL 15 2020

A small glass jar with cork top resting on a notebook with cursive writing. Inside the jar is a small speckled bird egg resting on some moss. The content of the journal is the text in this blog post.

This week marks six months of (almost) daily journaling via the most recent iteration of my Morning Pages practice. Though Morning Pages/journals are traditionally private, I’m celebrating this week by breaking the rules and sharing today’s journal entry on my blog. JUL 15 2020 I’m sitting at the pool. Thinking maybe if I go inContinue reading “JUL 15 2020”

#WeAreNotConfused: Autism & Gender

My understanding of my gender is different and ever-changing; but, I am not confused about it.

Autism Awareness in Museums

In addition to the increasingly meaningful DEAI initiatives focused on race and gender equity, museums must learn more about physical and cognitive disability—an under-discussed aspect of DEAI, but one which is an instrumental part of the fourth pillar, “Inclusion.”

Seafood for Thought

I crouched down and a seal came right up to the glass. It floated in front of me and blew bubbles, which made me giggle uncontrollably. This went on for several minutes – the seal and me, just staring at each other and giggling. I made a friend!