Archive for the ‘Advocacy’ Category

My Autistic Brother Nearly Died Waiting. Now They Want to Cut What Saved Him.

He stood over me and his companion Steve on the steps leading into the Senate building and prayed "God, give me the words today." It was March 24, 2026, and my 30-year-old autistic brother Stephen was invited to Capitol Hill to meet with Congressional staffers and share his experience living with a...

Access to Public Recreation and Leisure Opportunities for Autistic People as a Measure of Societal Acceptance and Inclusion

Sometimes a break is more than just a break. The value of hobbies, special interests, and other recreational activities is often viewed through the lens of respite from more serious pursuits, and with good reason. Going to the bowling alley after work every Friday is a good way to relieve the...

Resilience, Resistance, and Making a Difference While Cultivating Autistic Joy and Living in Community

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. Children are terrified of going to school. Families are being separated forcibly and deported. Peaceful protestors, including Renée Good and Alex Pretti, have been killed in the streets of Minneapolis. Warehouses are being converted into jails....

The Adusu Advocacy Framework: A Strategic Model for Advancing Policy Reform in Developmental Disability Services

Across many countries, systems supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are experiencing significant pressure. Workforce shortages, increasing service demand, and funding constraints have created fragile service environments that test providers, policymakers,...

How Developing a Freelance Brand Changed My Career

One thing I never expected in my professional life was creating a freelance brand that empowers me. I originally developed it as a way to showcase my talents, much like a website portfolio. I’ve always blended my lived experiences with my professional interests; human services and special...

Brilliance in Motion: How Autistic Students Navigate Unpredictable School Environments

The high school where I worked operated without the basic structures most people associate with education. There were no bells, no traditional classes, no grades. Students moved between community internships and loosely defined independent projects, navigating spaces filled with noise, movement,...

The Autism Society of America Awards Felicity House the 2025 Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award

January 7, 2026, Rockville, MD — The Autism Society of America is pleased to announce Felicity House was named as the 2025 recipient of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award. This distinguished honor recognizes organizations and leaders who champion the autonomy of...

When Systems Don’t Fit: Navigating Lifespan Transitions for People with Profound Autism

Every year, in every state, hundreds more individuals with Profound Autism age out of educational services and enter the adult services system. This process is described by many as “falling off a cliff.” Families despair of finding services that will allow their adult child to maintain their...

Supporting Neurodivergent Children in the Transition from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare

Families of neurodivergent children, such as those with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning differences, often find themselves having to fiercely advocate for every service they need across medical, behavioral health and...

A Therapist’s Guide to Teaching Autistic Adults Self-Directed Living Skills

Supporting autistic adults in creating self-directed lives, guided by their own preferences, goals, and values—is one of the most meaningful roles a therapist can play. Whether you are a behavior specialist, psychotherapist, social worker, counselor, or life skills coach, fostering autonomy...