Our Team

Leadership | Creatives | Board of Directors | Research Department | Education Department

Leadership

Ky (they/them)

CEO & Co-Founder

Hi everyone! I’m Ky, the CEO and Co-Founder of Autistics Unmasked. My pronouns are they/them! I am an autistic ADHDer with EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome).

Some of my hobbies include dancing, writing (poetry and journaling), crocheting, meditating and being out in nature.
My special interests are the Autistic Neurotype, wild cats, snails and foraging! I’m the author of “Sweet Nectar: (Hopefully) Everything You Want To Know About Chestfeeding,” a lactation consultant, the operations coordinator for a black, woman owned business and mom to a toddler!

Safiya (she/her)

Creative Director & Co-Founder

Hi! I’m Safiya, the Creative Director + Co-Founder of Autistics Unmasked. I first suspected I was autistic in January 2020, and received my diagnosis in October 2020.

I’m very excited to see what the future holds for our organization! I am a freelance illustrator and aspiring character artist.
Some of my interests include art, cartoons, stardew valley, embroidery, playing the ukulele, and baking.

Creatives

Reid Madden (he/him)

Outreach

I’m one of the people who makes our organization’s social media posts. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! I’m excited to show the world how diverse the Autistic community truly is. 

Special Interests: Pop music, history, and technology. Ask what my favorite synthesizer is!

Kamia Bryan (she/her)

Website Coordinator

Hi, my name is Kamia, pronouns she/her. I am a writer and website coordinator at AU.

Sam (they/them)

Graphics/Illustrations

Hey! I’m Sam, my pronouns are they/them. You can usually find me immersed in history (specifically the Wars of the Roses) documentaries, or cuddled up with as many fur babies as I can find.

Bronwyn (she/they)

Graphics/Illustrations

I’m on the creative team for Autistics Unmasked and create graphics/illustrations. My main hobbies and interests include: drawing, educating others on autism, taking naps, drinking sweet tea, and roller skating.

I also adore the show “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay” on Hulu—it’s a wonderful introduction into the world of neurodiversity that also touches on many other topics that aren’t discussed as openly. I’m very excited about this opportunity! I can’t wait to get more involved with the community!

Niena (they/she)

Tik Tok Creator

I’m Niena! I’m a TikTok content creator for Autistics Unmasked. My pronouns are they/she. I’m a late-diagnosed AuDHD-er. I was diagnosed in August 2021 after being diagnosed with ADHD first in May 2021. Some of my special interests are arts/crafts, makeup, and autism!

Charlie (he/him)

Twitter Space Host

Charlie Brevity He\Him, Space Host, Late Diagnosed, Single Father, Builder, Artist. I want to help other members of the Lost Generation find relief in recognition.

Kaishawna (they/them) 

Twitter Space Host

Hello there. My name is Kaishawna. Twitter Space Host. I’m an African American Autistic Black woman who is 21, uses AAC, sign language and sometimes unreliable vocal speech to communicate, fights for disability rights and attends college to study to become a teacher to disabled students and also teach non disabled individuals.

Board of Directors

Liz (they/she)

President

Hello! I am Liz, the Vice President of Autistics Unmasked. I study history as a graduate student with University of Connecticut’s El Instituto through a Critical (Environmental/Disability/Queer/Race) Theory lens, although I am currently on medical leave. In addition to those special interests that I’ve pursued in academia, I also have long term special interests in marine mammals, reading nonfiction (currently reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer), and Star Trek. Deep Space Nine is my favorite series, but I love all things Trek.

I am also a practicing witch and I find that learning about spirituality, religion & the occult is another lifelong special interest of mine. I’m grateful to be part of such a spectacularly talented team and I look forward to supporting, advocating, growing, loving & learning with our community!

Amanda S (she/her)

Vice President & Secretary

I received my autism diagnosis in December 2021 just 6 months after my 4 year old son received his autism/ADHD diagnosis. I am a mother to 2 sons and married to an ADHDer. I was previously a veterinarian for 9 years and have recently just left my career due to burnout. I am now pursuing my new passion by joining this team as secretary and going back to school to study social justice and advocacy. 

My interests are nature, hiking, running, rock climbing, hanging with my family, and basically anything to do with autism advocacy and education. I want everyone to accept autistic people more so my son doesn’t have to grow up hiding his traits and can be authentic as I am currently going through the unmasking process myself.

Research Department

Heini, Ph.D. (she/her)

Head of Research

As a member of Autistics Unmasked Leadership, the Head of Research is responsible for aligning the team’s goals with AU’s mission, coordinating the team’s activities, and providing support and guidance.

Heini is a biologist and a computational scientist in the field of human genetics. She advocates on several fronts for socially responsible research, ethical conduct, and against all forms of eugenics.

Hol

Researcher

Hol is a current undergraduate student in Politics and International Studies, hoping to pursue a career in research, with a specific interest in autistic experiences in relation to politics. As well as this, Hol has an active Twitter account where they often tweet about their experiences as an autistic person, as well as identifying as an #ActuallyAutistic advocate.

AJ (he/they)

Researcher

AJ is a creative with a passion for black autistic advocacy and changing the way people think about the neurotype as well as opinions on ADHD. In addition to the work he does with Autistics Unmasked, he makes and records his own music as well as is active on Twitter in some neurodiverse circles.

Phoenix (they/he/she)

Researcher

My name is Phoenix Hopkins. My pronouns are they/he/she. I’m part of the AU research department and love to learn more about myself and others autistic experiences.

Chris (he/him)

Researcher

Chris Dabbs, Ph.D. (he/him) is a professor of clinical psychology and identity researcher, with a particular focus on the intersections of spiritual, religious, and secular identity and mental health. Currently, he and his research lab are juggling projects that include an exploration of anti-autistic sentiment in mental health professional training programs.

He views research as a form of advocacy, so his current research role at AU joins nicely with his history of LGBTQ+, religious minority, and graduate student advocacy. Chris lives in western Illinois with his wife, Maggie, and their cat, Hermione. His special interest is The Nightmare Before Christmas and he loves collecting–especially trading cards and physical media.

Education Department

Opal (she/they)

Head of Education

I’m Opal, a nonbinary creative & Head of Education with Autistics Unmasked. I’m responsible for developing AU’s educational content & messaging. Outside of the organization, I work as a disability counselor by day & a professional tarot reader by night.

My special interests are animation, media production, & the color pink. My mission is to help reduce stigmas & harm within disabled, working class, & black/brown communities.

Trevour (he/they)

Educator

I am on the Education team at Autistics Unmasked. I am 20 years old and in my 2nd year of college.

My special interests and hobbies include roller skating, Pokémon card and cd collecting, music, video games, educating people on autism and working on intersectionality.

Ryanne (she/her)

Educator

I’m an educator with Autistics Unmasked. I am so excited for the opportunity to fight misinformation about autism on a larger scale.

Special interests: autism, human behavior/psychology, history, human evolution, true crime.