Hello! It's such a pleasure to meet you. My name is Rafa Beleze, and I am an AuDHD artist from Brazil. My artwork celebrates the autistic experience and memorializes adult diagnosed autism stories from people all over the world. I call this series, True Tales.

I have been an artist my entire life. As a child, art was my passion. It was my safe space, a break from a world I didn't fit into. Autism is hard as a child, especially when you don't know that you are autistic. Art celebrated my differences.

From there, I studied art in school. I am honored that my work has been celebrated and awarded, that people enjoy what I create. I've made children's coloring books. I was a tattoo artist. Now, today, my focus is on the autistic community. I love transforming the stereotypes of autism, I love creating artwork that speaks to autistic soul and experience. It is so much fun! And, provides so much meaning.

I was 27 when I was diagnosed autistic and ADHD. The diagnosis was transformative for me. I truly believe that diagnosis and the support of the autistic community saves lives. It hurts me to imagine all of the people in the world who do not know that they are neurodivergent – they have not been given the words or tools to fully make sense of their experience... I know. I was one of them for so long.

Join me! Truly. I invite you to discover and explore autism with me. I want to share with you my work and all of the other stories that are just like yours and mine. I love you!

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