Leo in Bloom is devoted to sharing the experiences and stories of nonspeaking (particularly, but not limited to, autistic) folks, in their own words and in the words of true allies. We seek to share beautiful, thought-provoking, and meaningful pieces.
Issues come out every 2 months or so, though this schedule is aspirational and not always realized! Each issue spans a month, with new pieces added regularly throughout that month. This makes scheduling more flexible for our editing team and contributors, which is important when working in a neurodiverse realm!
Part of our mission is to spread the message that nonspeakers are not merely props in the “inspirational” stories of the neurotypical people around them, but that they can actively teach the world profound lessons from their real experiences in their own lives. Also, we want to show that we are all complete humans who have a right to dignity, respect, and fulfilling lives, and that among us is a wonderful diversity of experiences and ideas amidst all of our shared challenges.
This also includes addressing “life after Spelling” – or, the many major shifts that come about once nonspeaking autistics gain fluency through Spelling to Communicate or similar means. This important transition impacts pretty much every aspect of life, with major implications for mental and emotional health, family dynamics, and moving into a world of new opportunities.
We have so much to share with you, and are glad you are here!
Please Note: What we share here are insights and perspectives from personal experiences, as well as information from interpretations of resources. These experiences and interpretations are not universal. In particular, we do not claim to speak for the broader nonspeaking community. We welcome feedback and discussion and are very open to adapting how we approach this project!
Leo in Bloom Magazine 