Autism Interview #162 Leigh Spence on Ableism

Leigh Spence is an autism advocate and vlogger from the U.K. This week she shared her experiences with ableism as a late-diagnosed adult and offered advice for teaching ableism to younger ages.
Leigh Spence is an autism advocate and vlogger from the U.K. This week she shared her experiences with ableism as a late-diagnosed adult and offered advice for teaching ableism to younger ages.
Marcelle Ciampi M.Ed. (aka Samantha Craft) is an author/advocate best known for her book Everyday Aspergers. She serves as the Ambassador and Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Ultranauts Inc., an engineering firm with a neurodiversity-hiring initiative, where Ciampi is credited for developing an innovative universal design approach for inclusion. She also provides keynotes, workshops, corporate training, consulting, and life coaching for Spectrum Suite. In Part One of her interview, Ciampi discussed how Ultranauts is serving as a model of workplace inclusion and offers advice for advocating for inclusion in the educational setting as well. In Part Two, Ciampi shared a defense of the neurodiversity paradigm as well as resources for families interested in learning more.
…Marcelle Ciampi M.Ed. (aka Samantha Craft), a respected Autistic author and worldwide advocate, is best known for her writings found in the well-received book Everyday Aspergers. She serves as the Ambassador and Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Ultranauts Inc., an engineering firm with a neurodiversity-hiring initiative, where Ciampi is credited for developing an innovative universal design approach for inclusion. She also provides keynotes, workshops, corporate training, consulting, and life coaching for Spectrum Suite. In Part One of her two-part interview, Ciampi discussed how Ultranauts is serving as a model of workplace inclusion and offers advice for advocating for inclusion in the educational setting as well.
…Robbie Ierubino is an American artist studying Arts and Creative Technologies at Staffordshire University in Stoke-on-Trent, England. In a 2019 interview on this blog, he shared his own style of art he developed, which he calls “shapism” and how he uses his art to communicate his unique world perspective and advocate for autism acceptance. This week he shared new creative process theory the Creative Pentagram and offers advice for Autistic artists.
…Madison Lessard is a college student from New Hampshire pursuing a degree in theology and history. She enjoys writing YA contemporary fiction about road trips, hockey, and disabled characters. She has a blog about her personal experiences as an Autistic college student. This week she shared her transition to college life and how she advocates for herself as an Autistic college student living on campus.
Alice Running is an Autistic author and mother of Autistic children from the U.K.. She writes and blogs about social justice, the Autistic experience, inclusivity, and elevating Autistic voices. This week she shared her experience as a late-diagnosed adult creating a safe environment for her Autistic children.
Andy Buchanan is a 27 year-old from Newton Aycliffe, England diagnosed with Autism and other mental health conditions. He blogs at Andy’s Spectrum on his thoughts and opinions surrounding the subjects of Autism and Mental Health. This week he discussed some of the mental health challenges that are exacerbated by the pandemic as well as his goals to support others through his blog.
Grace is a late-diagnosed blogger and advocate for autistic children and adults. Her blog, Autistic Empath offers a variety of insights on spectrum life, including myths and misconceptions, coping strategies, what it’s like to live in an NT world, Autistic adulthood, advocacy, and practical daily living tips. This week she shared some of her experiences growing up undiagnosed and her advocacy work that helps NT parents better understand their neurodiverse children.
Sarah is a recently-diagnosed Autistic and “ADHDer” who regularly shares her experiences in an effort to shatter stereotypes about neurodivergent people. She blogs at Autistically Sarah and is a public advocate for autism acceptance and neurodiversity.
Nera Birch is a self-advocate from Cleveland, OH with a passion for speaking and writing on topics related to autism advocacy. Birch blogs at I’m Not Drunk, I’m Autistic. This week Birch shared her experiences living with auditory processing disorder and how that can impact holiday gatherings.
…