Satirical news site The Daily Tism has been launched "to challenge established narratives around autism".

The site, written by and for autistic people, launched today to challenge "patronising and saccharine narratives around autism," its founders have said.

The publication is run by comedy writers Sara Gibbs (HIGNFY, The Mash Report) and Elsa Williams (The Independent, Newsjack) "to give space to autistic voices, poke fun at mainstream perceptions of autism and show that autistic people do, in fact, have a sense of humour".

Gibbs says: "I cut my teeth in satire, having written for The Daily Mash and co-founded satirical online women's magazine Succubus. Turning that background to the autism space felt intuitive, and a much-needed dash of salt in a world that wants autistic people to be pure and wholesome.

"Not only are we taking aim at autistic industries, researchers, practitioners, families, friends and workplaces, but we're also making light of our own foibles. It was really important that we reclaim the comedy in our own experiences, instead of being treated like 'issues' that are taboo to joke about."

Williams adds: "In our industry a lot of pandering goes on. Producers will always want to know, 'how can we make non-autistics like this?'. So we're doing it a different way. We want to make autistic people laugh first, and then spread that laughter outwards.

"Autism becomes this uneasy subject that needs to be wrapped in something palatable. You can't be cutting, bawdy, sexy, sweary. So we're getting rid of the palatable."

While Gibbs and Williams are currently the site's sole writers and editors, the pair plan to monetise the site to enable them to compensate freelance writers and hope to open for submissions in the near future.

Gibbs said: "We're really keen to platform autistic voices from all walks of life and particularly members of minority groups whose stories should be more widely heard. We are really looking forward to being able to open for submissions as soon as possible, so watch this space!"

The Daily Tism can be read via thedailytism.com