CELEBRATING NEURODIVERSITY
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
CELEBRATING
NEURODIVERSITY
April is Autism Acceptance Month
WHAT IS
NEURODIVERSITY?
Neurodiversity is a term coined by sociologist
Judy Singer in 1998 that defines the range of
differences in individual brain functioning and
behavioral traits, as normal variations within
the population. The term has been embraced
by neurodivergent advocates and is
represented by the rainbow infinity symbol. In
the context of Autism, it is the preferred
THE AUTISTIC SELF ADVOCACY symbol by advocates. The puzzle symbol that
NETWORK'S STATEMENT ON is often widely used is often associated with
AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH the organization Autism Speaks which
promotes the perceived negative notion that
"Autism Acceptance Month was created by and autism needs to be "cured". The infinity
for the autistic community to change the symbol provides a better representation of the
conversation around autism, shifting it away variant spectrum of autism and symbolizes the
from stigmatizing “autism awareness” language positive message that neurological differences
that presents autism as a threat to be countered are to be respected as any other human
with vigilance. Ten years ago, when Autism difference.
Acceptance Month started, advocacy
organizations run by non-autistic people spoke
openly about working towards a future in
which “autism is a word for the history books.”
In contrast, autism acceptance emphasizes that
autistic people belong — that we deserve
welcoming communities, inclusive schools and
workplaces, and equal opportunities. In the last
ten years, we have seen real progress. Many
autism organizations run by non-autistic people
initially resisted “acceptance” language; over
time, some of them have come to adopt it."*
Read the full statement by clicking on the link
above.
AUTISTIC WOMEN & NONBINARY
NETWORK (AWN)
AUTISM, RACE &
NEURODIVERSITY IS FOR EVERYONE ™ ETHNICITY
The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Network
or ADD, is a monitoring Network affiliated with the
CDC which seeks to identify commonalities as well as
disparities within children diagnosed with Autism,
varying by region.
ADD reports indicate that Black and Hispanic
children "continued to be less likely to be identified
with ASD than white children. These differences
suggest that black and Hispanic children may face
socioeconomic or other barriers that lead to a lack of or
delayed access to evaluation, diagnosis, and services."
A study by the American Association of Pediatrics
(AAP) found that "Black and Hispanic children on
"average were diagnosed at 65 months."
ORGANIZATIONS TO KNOW After parents expressed concerns about their child’s
language, development or behavior, it typically took
more than three years before being diagnosed with
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, or ASAN autism. About 36% reported a significant wait time to
is a nonprofit run by and for autistic people, it see a professional, 42% saw multiple professionals and
"seeks to advance the principles of the disability 14% saw at least six professionals before being
rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN diagnosed."
believes that the goal of autism advocacy should These disparities could represent difficulties for
be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal autistic children as well as their families when
access, rights, and opportunities. attempting to access necessary services and
We work to empower autistic people across the accommodations that facilitate their learning and
world to take control of our own lives and the academic success.
future of our common community, and seek to
organize the autistic community to ensure our THE TRUE MEANING OF
voices are heard in the national conversation
about us. Nothing About Us, Without Us!
ACCEPTANCE AND INCLUSION
Our similarities bring us together, but our
Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network differences enrich our lives.
AWN is an organization with a mission to May we continue to create a society which is
provide community, support and resources for ever-evolving to not only accept but to embrace
Autistic women, girls, transfeminine and individuality, as well as cherish the valuable
transmasculine nonbinary and genderqueer
contributions that neurodivergent individuals have
people, trans people of all genders, Two Spirit
made to our lives.
people, and all others of marginalized genders.
Our goal is to dispel stereotypes and
misinformation which perpetuate unnecessary
fears surrounding an autism diagnosis. We seek
to share information which works to build
acceptance and understanding of disability.
MORE ORGANIZATIONS, RESOURCES
AND PEOPLE TO FOLLOW
The Autistic People of Color Fund
The Fund for Community Reparations for Autistic People of
Color’s Interdependence, Survival, and Empowerment
practices redistributive justice and mutual aid by returning and
sharing money directly to and with autistic people of color. We
provide microgrants to Black, Brown, Native, Asian, and
mixed-race people in the autistic community for survival,
organizing, leisure, and pleasure. We are committed to the
principles of Disability Justice, including leadership by those
Image credit: CASA
most impacted, intersectionality, anti-capitalist politic, cross- California Autistic Self Advocates (CASA)
movement solidarity, interdependence, collective access, and
CASA is the Sacramento Chapter of ASAN ( The
collective liberation. Our work is grounded in commitment to
Autistic Self Advocacy Network). They hold
ending extractive economies and building and sustaining
weekly socials as well as events for mobilizing to
generative economies.
advocate for the autistic community. Their
Application can be accessed at:
emphasis is on empowering and teaching self-
www.autismandrace.com/autistic-people-of-color-fund/
advocacy.
www.facebook.com/ASANSacramento
www.meetup.com/CAautisticselfadvocates
Autistic, Typing
Autistic, Typing is a page created by an 1010 Hurley Way, Ste 180
"Indigenous Autistic mother of Autistic Sacramento, CA
children, passionate about sharing Call (916) 538-9154
knowledge, healing trauma, and building caautisticselfadvocates@gmail.com
community in alignment with my cultural Follow on Facebook @ASANSacramento
values. I type about neurodiversity and racial
Michael McCreary
and disability justice."
Michael is a 25 year old autistic stand up comic.
She has compiled a list of valuable literature
In his page: "Funny, you don't look autistic",
with meaningful content regarding Autism
he chronicles life as an autistic person
as well as a list of
and dispels common misperceptions and stereotypes
Autistic Black/Indigenous/People of Color
associated with autism.
& Latinx Advocates to follow.
Furthermore, she advocates to break stigmas
https://www.aspiecomic.com
and shares her insight as a BIPOC
His video on ASD
neurodivergent woman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-mH5ZdJDSY
Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and IG @aspiecomic
https://bookshop.org/shop/autistictyping
Follow on Facebook, Twitter and IG
Autistic Black/Indigenous/People of Color & Latinx Advocates to follow:
@AutisticTyping https://www.facebook.com/AutisticTyping/posts/825764698023930
Credits:
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network(ASAN)
www.autisticadvocacy.org
California Autistic Self Advocates (CASA)
www.facebook.com/ASANSacramento
Autistic, Typing
www.facebook.com/AutisticTyping
A Proclamation on World Autism Awareness Day, 2021
www.whitehouse.govbriefing-room/presidential-
actions/2021/04/01/a-proclamation-on-world-autism-awareness-
day-2021/
Spotlight On Closing the Racial and Ethnic Gaps in the
Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/addm-community-report/spotlight-
on-closing-racial-gaps.html;
The Autistic People of Color Fund
www.autismandrace.com
Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network
www.awnnetwork.org
Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children With
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Susan L. Hyman, Susan E. Levy, Scott M. Myers and COUNCIL ON CHILDREN
WITH DISABILITIES, SECTION ON DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL
PEDIATRICS
Pediatrics January 2020, 145 (1) e20193447; DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-3447
You can also read
