Dr. Deniz Zengin
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Could you tell about yourself?
My name is Didenur or Vin as known as on the internet. I am an autistic self-advocate, undergrad computer science engineering student and self-taught graphic designer. I am running a website called ”Merhaba! Spektrum” for the team and our website is the first example of an autistic activism and self-advocacy site in Turkey. I mainly do the design and tech work of the website, but I sometimes write on the blog too.
How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?
I have some routines to prevent them in first place because that is the safest scenario. Every routine depends on the stressor itself but there are some main rules. I always carry my favorite stim toys with me and stim anytime I want. Stimming helps me to regulate my emotions like the other autistic people. I always carry and wear my protectors against unwanted stimuli. Like noise cancelling headphones and sunglasses. Also, I will try to choose the texture of my outfit in a way that will not be a sensory hell for me, especially if I know that day contains a stressor I need to face. I stick to my routines and check my plans. That also helps a lot. But even after all the preparation, I can’t prevent it most of the time, which happens a lot because firstly, we are living in the neurotypical people’s world and secondly, life contains a lot of stressors. I will try my best to overcome the situation with minimal damage. Like finding myself a safe space to calm down and getting away from the stressor.
What are your strengths?
I believe that since I perceive the world differently, my creativity is also an unusual one. I see my autistic way of sensing stimuli and understanding concepts as a strength because it makes my design and code interesting. The way I perceive colors and sounds impacts on my own art. The way I approach the algorithms impacts on my code too. I love these even though it is challenging when I am at outside and communicating. But I don’t think the problem is my sensory processing or understanding of concepts, it’s the society we live in. I can call that a strength. Other than that, I am a great problem solver as I am told so. I tend to think more direct and logical. I will always come up with an algorithm to solve the problem in my head and try out the possibilities in that context. It’s almost like coding but happens in my brain and contains real time life problems. That’s also a strength I believe.
What have you done to develop or change in the last few years?
I firstly focused on my mental health. That was the hardest thing I did, and I am happy that I have had the courage to continue my way to heal. Secondly, I started my activism, that made me grow. I build Merhaba! Spektrum’s website, learned few programming languages and technologies for that. Finally, was motivated to get into Augmented reality, and recently machine learning too, as like I always wanted. I am still a rookie but getting better each day. I also designed few things.
What annoying questions do people ask about autism?
I don’t get annoyed by questions usually because most people do not know about autism and if they want to change that, I will happily answer. And I appreciate the person who is trying to learn. However, when people assume things about my autistic traits and experiences that’s when I get annoyed. You can’t just assume people’s whole life experiences by looking their online presence for example.
Do you like having autism?
Autism affects how I perceive and process the world, so that means it’s huge part of who I am. And I love who I am. So yeah, I like being me, being autistic.
Do you consider yourself an activist? Why or why not?
I do. Because I am trying to educate people on the manner of autism and create safe environments for autistic people like myself. I am trying to fight with ableism in the media, society and academia with Merhaba! Spektrum, so that autistic people won’t face discrimination like me and many others in future.
What is ableism and how it affects autistic people?
Ableism is a type of discrimination and negative biases towards disabled people. It often rests on the assumption that disabled people need to be ‘fixed’ in one form or the other. Ableism can be perpetrated by individuals, institutions, and systems alike. It comes in all shapes and forms, and disabled people can experience it in different ways. When it comes to autism, we can see it as determining autistic traits as undesirable and pathologizing them, speaking over and controlling autistic people but it’s not limited with these examples. You can even see it in the language like people using autistic as an insult.
How can you be anti-ableist towards autistic people?
You should never forget that if you are allistic (non-autistic), you don’t own autism. Thinking about what you know about autism can help with your own ableist thoughts that you probably never really noticed because it seems normal through the society. Seeing your internalized biases and looking up what autistic people say about them can really help. Autistic perspective is necessary because only autistic people can understand what it’s like to be an autistic person. You can follow autistic people; we are all over the internet. You can find a lot of autistic self-advocates under the tag of #ActuallyAutistic on any socials probably.
Also, it’s not a suprise that allistic people have biases against autistic people because that’s how society taught you so. There are lots of wrong representation and information out there. After confronting your own biases, you can help autistic people with raising their voices and standing up for us. That can really help to improve lives of autistic people.
What are ways that people can take effective action for change in the community for autism?
First, People should understand that all communication methods are valid. Not talking verbally doesn’t mean that person has nothing to say. People should respect our own ways to communicate. Some can use sign language, some can use AAC, some can talk verbally but not all the time, and may need accommodations about it. Every communication way is valid and should be respected.
Second, they need to listen us. Before making assumptions about autistic people and autism in general. It’s important to listen someone who is autistic before the textbook information. We have a lot to say yet ableists always want us to stay quiet. Also, it’s crucial to don’t speak over us in the process, you should raise our voices instead.
Lastly, after the first two, fight with us when we face ableism in any way. Stand with us. Fighting with ableism starts with yourself. For example, avoiding ableist language is a little step but has a huge impact.
After all, never forget that nothing us, without us!