We talk with Rees Finlay, author, public speaker, and illustrator based in the UK, who has done official artworks for Star Wars, Stranger Things, and AMC’s The Walking Dead, among other things.

Follow Rees:

• Website: ReesFinlay.wixsite.com/website 
• Facebook: AutismLegend 
• Twitter: @ReesyTime
• Rees’ book: Reaffirmation: Coming to terms with an autism diagnosis

Topics of discussion:

00:56 Rees’ diagnosis and the difficulty of receiving post-diagnosis support04:32 Rees’ moral quandary at work05:18 Interests in comics and first professional comics gigs08:21 Why Rees wrote his novel12:55 Neurodiversity and conceptions of autism15:50 The banality of evil of everyday life17:00 Avoiding dogma and political tribalism in the neurodiversity movement21:00 Dating while autistic24:00 Autism research, empathy, alexithymia, and common perceptions of autism28:20 Neurodiversity wars: Tribalism within the autism community, and tolerating neurotypicals34:50 Rees’ coming out35:20 Autistic experiences and self-actualization41:40 Autistic super powers and kryptonites44:20 Coronavirus and postponed live show49:21 Autism dark web50:35 Belittling of autistic people52:33 Hedwig the Owl in real life55:50 Punching up: When jokes about NTs go too far56:44 NHS autism services: Inadequate but necessary01:02:26 FDA finally bans the use of electric shock devices administered to autistics01:04:10 Autistic accountability and media presentations of autism01:08:10 The vicious cycle of oppression and trauma01:11:00 Jerks as friends: Rees’ experience with social manipulation01:15:38 Integrating a future of great possibility after serious suicidal ideation01:16:21 Rees’ revelations as an artist and autism advocate01:17:25 The delicate balance between pleasing people and making real change01:18:00 Twitter wars and the burden of celebrity01:20:55 Punished for altruism: Hiding selfless acts01:23:30 Learning from mistakes: What Rees has learned from failure01:24:33 Rees’ social media