Christmas in July: Shopping Autistic is My New Holiday Tradition

As we head into the new year, I’ve been reflecting on one of my favorite parts of last Christmas—shopping autistic. It’s something that feels especially meaningful to me as I work with Autism Insights Foundation, advocating for neurodiverse employment opportunities. Last year, I decided that many of my gifts for friends and my daughter’s teachers would come from autistic creators or companies that support neurodiverse employees. One of my top picks was Madison Field’s Soaps, a nonprofit that employs neurodiverse individuals for job training. It felt so good to practice what I preach, supporting a cause I care deeply about while giving meaningful gifts.

Supporting autistic creators and companies is a simple yet powerful way to contribute to the community while promoting neurodiverse employment. Not only did I feel good about my choices, but the recipients of my gifts were also delighted by the unique and thoughtful items. It’s a great reminder that the holiday season isn’t just about shopping—it’s about shopping with purpose and supporting causes that make a real difference.

With Christmas next year still a long way off, I’m already thinking about what I can do for my gifts. I want to continue supporting autistic creators, but I could use some recommendations for new businesses or creators to check out. Do you know of any fantastic autistic-owned or neurodiverse-inclusive businesses that I should support? Feel free to send me your suggestions—I’m always on the lookout for more ways to make a difference while doing my holiday shopping!