Maxine Share is a Canadian writer, advocate, workshop creator, and presenter working hard to try to change understanding so that we can change the actions of those working and living with people on the spectrum. In Part One of her two-part interview, she shared her diagnosis story, discussed her work as an autism consultant, and offered recommendations for supporting autistic children in the classroom.
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Drew Sullivan is an autistic writer and journalist who looks for opportunities to amplify silenced voices through his work. He currently attends school at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and writes for the Amherst Wire. This week Drew shared some common autism misconceptions and how he learned to develop a positive autistic identity by connecting with the autistic community.
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Sarah Kathryn is a cisgender autistic woman, blogger, and Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). This week she shared her experience practicing as an SLP and the ableism she encounters, as well as ideas for helping hospitals become more accommodating to people on the spectrum.
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Nic Laughter is a developer and public advocate with a new podcast called Autistic AF that focuses on autism in adults. He writes and speaks about issues related to autism with a special interest in eliminating the barriers many autistic face to entering the workforce. This week he shared his diagnosis story and discussed different ways society can be more accommodating to autistics in social and professional settings, and his goals for improving autistic access to meaningful work.
…I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Ben Kartje, a contributor to What Your Child on the Spectrum Really Needs: Advice From 12 Autistic Adults. He talked about his interest in the project, previewed some of his advice, and discussed his hopes for readers. What Your Child Really on the Spectrum Really Needs is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and several online retailers in paperback form. It will also be available as an e-book soon. The video transcript can be found below.
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Alexandra is a writer and illustrator from Long Beach, CA and creator of the Amazing Artists publishing company. This week she discussed some of her latest children’s books, her dedication to becoming an author, and the support she received along the way.
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Andy is an autistic content creator from the United Kingdom, publishing content for the National Autistic Society and hosting his own YouTube channel, IndieAndy that raises autism awareness and promotes acceptance by showing the world that it’s okay to be different and okay to be your true “indie-self.” This week Andy shared some of his advocacy work and how he has developed a positive autistic identity.
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Katie, a.k.a. “The Autistic Travel Coach” is a travel consultant from Michigan. When she’s not traveling, she manages the Ann Arbor Autistic Adults meetup group, and a new nonprofit, Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults that provides programs and services that assist with socialization and other activities to help autistic adults become less isolated and and lead fuller lives. She is also the founder & CEO of Oswald Consulting that works with nonprofits and social enterprises to help achieve their missions. Last week Katie shared information about some of her significant travel experiences and how her life has been transformed through travel. This week she shared how she helps her autistic clients lead more enriched lives through a variety of activities, including overcoming some of their most common travel difficulties.
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Katie, a.k.a. “The Autistic Travel Coach” is a travel consultant from Michigan. When she’s not traveling, she manages the Ann Arbor Autistic Adults meetup group, and a new nonprofit, Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults that provides programs and services that assist with socialization and other activities to help autistic adults become less isolated and and lead fuller lives. She is also the founder & CEO of Oswald Consulting that works with nonprofits and social enterprises to help achieve their missions. This week Katie shared information about some of her significant travel experiences and how her life has been transformed through travel. Stay tuned for next week when she shares how she helps her autistic clients lead more enriched lives through a variety of activities, including overcoming some of their most common travel difficulties.
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Professor Sandra Jones is an autistic mother of two autistic sons and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) at Australian Catholic University. She has studied autistic adolescent development, the impact of diagnostic labels, and the development and evaluation of social support and peer support programs.
Last week, she shared her experience obtaining a late diagnosis and how she is raising her sons to achieve a positive self-image. This week Professor Jones discussed the casual misuse of autism as a slur, her path to employment in higher education, and leading a more peaceful advocacy movement.
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