Amina Donskaya: “it's time to change the narrative” about suicide in autism

Within the 3rd Asperger World Meeting, devoted to suicide prevention, the talk by Amina Donskaya set out to shift the frame of the conversation.

Who she is

A Russian-born advocate based in Chile, diagnosed autistic in adulthood. That discovery gave her a new reading of her experiences. Her profile includes difficulties with language, with emotional regulation and persistent demand avoidance (PDA). She is the mother of three neurodivergent girls.

“Fatal silence: it's time to change the narrative”

With the right support and a deep understanding of autistic needs, people on the spectrum can lead full and meaningful lives.

Donskaya questioned the conventional views of suicide in the autistic community: instead of centring the story on deficit and risk, she proposed talking about living conditions, supports and what does work.

The special interest as a tool

Her example is photography: more than a passion, she describes it as a way to regulate her emotions, relate to the world and earn an income. She argues that autistic people need support and guidance to develop their interests, and that there lies a factor of purpose and stability — the same idea that appears in the talks by Tony Hernández Pumarejo and in the music of the Meeting.

She uses her channels, especially Instagram, to share resources and strategies that have worked for her and her daughter, with a deliberately positive and empowering approach.