Identity is defined in Oxford Languages as, “the fact of being who or what a person or thing is,” and more specifically, “the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is.” Facinghisorty.org explains it more simply as, “our sense of who we are as individuals and as members of social groups.”
Identity is complicated, as it's based on our own internal feelings and experiences, as well as sometimes how others perceive us. Identity is shaped by many things, where you live, your physical characteristics like hair/eye colour, your ethnicity, your culture, your gender, your sexual/romantic orientation, and so much more. Sometimes even your interests and hobbies can be a core part of your identity.
For many people of marginalized identities, taking pride in who they are is really important, as it can often make certain aspects of their lives more challenging, but it's also something that should be celebrated. Our differences - our identities - make us who we are, and that's an incredible thing.

In this case, we're talking about how disability (specifically being autistic) relates to identity. Disability and identity are linked because being disabled is a unique characteristic of an individual that can impact their life a lot, it's absolutely part of who they are, but if course they have other aspects of their identity to.
For autistic people, autism is our whole brain structure, it's how we're born, and we have it our entire life. Autism impacts each individual life differently, giving us all different strengths, challenges, and support needs. We're all unique just like every other person, but being autistic is what causes many of our feelings, actions, and interests. Autistic people see the world differently than non-autistic people do, it shapes all our experiences. If I wasn't autistic, I would be a completely different person, I wouldn't be me. That's why autism is often such a big part of identity.
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Being autistic isn't all that I am, but it is a huge part of it. You might have experiences similar to mine, or completely different, but they're all valid. If you're autistic, how do you feel about your autistic identity? What does it mean to you? Are you proud of your autistic identity? Is there anything you wish more people understood about what it's like being autistic? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments and/or make a project about it.

-Squiggle wrote:

I've added it to the description but the description was too long so I've taken out the manager intros for now (I have them saved in my notes).

should we shorten the manager intros to just being name and pronouns again (and/or neurotype but like in 2 words rather than 20), or should we move them to somewhere else (project, forum post)?
or is there a different part of the description as it currently is that would be better shortened/moved?

-Squiggle wrote:

if we want to credit people, should there be a credits bit at the end or a credits project? or should each section have the username under it of the person that wrote it?
idk if credits matter that much but it might be nice to credit people

-Squiggle wrote:

I did a thumbnail
it's work in progress
https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/989156707/

ShredCan wrote:

-Squiggle wrote:

if we want to credit people, should there be a credits bit at the end or a credits project? or should each section have the username under it of the person that wrote it?
idk if credits matter that much but it might be nice to credit people

credits should probably be in the desc bc the credits project will end up forgotten under a literal mountain of random projects

ShredCan wrote:

looks amazing! if you dont mind me asking, where did you learn to draw?

KaleidoArts wrote:

Rules are going to be basically the same from last year, right?

Also, what still needs to be completed?

ShredCan wrote:

-Squiggle wrote:

I've added it to the description but the description was too long so I've taken out the manager intros for now (I have them saved in my notes).

should we shorten the manager intros to just being name and pronouns again (and/or neurotype but like in 2 words rather than 20), or should we move them to somewhere else (project, forum post)?
or is there a different part of the description as it currently is that would be better shortened/moved?

maybe we could just do:
name // pronouns // neurotype(s) // are you autistic? // codeword

- Follow the Scratch Community Guidelines (found here https://scratch.mit.edu/community_guidelines/) at all times

- Treat everyone with respect and kindness and avoid getting heated or angry, even if you disagree

- Nothing about us without us: Remember to listen to the perspective of actually autistic people when it comes to autism, we know ourselves best. Remember to be mindful of misinformation and misconceptions as you learn about autism.

- Don’t use the r-slur or other ableist language. Don’t insult, make fun of, or bully people for being autistic. Don’t say autism is bad, or that it should be punished or cured.

- Keep debates about self-diagnosis, Autism Speaks, and any other controversial autism-related topics out of this studio please.

- If a manager tells you to not do/say something or to disengage from a conversation or argument, you do so!

- The code word is representation

- Always follow the Scratch Community Guidelines ( https://scratch.mit.edu/community_guidelines/ )

- Be kind and respectful to everyone you talk to. Avoid getting heated or angry, even if you disagree

- Nothing about us without us: Remember to listen to the perspective of actually autistic people when it comes to autism, we know ourselves best. Be mindful of misinformation and misconceptions as you learn about autism!

- Don't use the R-slur or other ableist language. Don't insult, make fun of, or bully people for being autistic. Don't say autism is bad, or that it should be cured or punished (this counts as ableism).

- Avoid debating here about self diagnosis, Autism Speaks, and any other controversial autism-related topics.

- If a manager tells you not to do/say something, or to disengage from a conversation or argument, you do so!

- The codeword is ___