Helping Autistic Individuals Navigate Barriers to Adulthood

• By: Kenneth Mann, PsyD Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS)
• October 2nd, 2023
• adults, autonomy, Fall 2023 Issue, housing, identity, independence, independent living, psychological interventions, transition to adulthood, young adults
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An adult on the spectrum can accomplish or achieve everything his/her/their cohort who is not on the spectrum has accomplished or achieved, and yet not be rewarded with that same level of independence and autonomy for his/her/their efforts (Cheak-Zamora, Tait & Coleman, 2022). Although young...

Autism Advocacy: Inclusion, Empowerment, and Human Rights

• By: Annie Kent, MA Mental Health Systemic Advocate and Educator/Writer
• January 2nd, 2023
• actually autistic, advocacy, diversity, empowerment, exclusion, human rights, identity, inclusion, language, Winter 2023 Issue
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“Autism isn’t this strange alien thing, it’s just a different way of thinking and experiencing the world. Some of us will find ourselves more or less compatible with modern living than others, we will all have different needs…but autism is not terrifying or awful, nor is it marvellous and...

Engagement in Special Interests Influences Well-Being and Provides Employment Opportunities in Neurodiverse Individuals

• By: Sharon Eva, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist
• June 25th, 2021
• employment, engagement, identity, neurodiversity, special interests, Summer 2021 Issue, well-being
• 2333    0

A brief note on the terminology used in this article: While people should practice sensitivity towards various opinions, many adults on the autism spectrum have disclosed the preference of identity-first language over person-first language (Botha et al., 2020). Thus, identity-first language, such...

Identity Language: In Service of a More Inclusive Workplace

• By: Jillian Noyes Planning Across The Spectrum
• June 25th, 2021
• actually autistic, diversity, history, identity, identity language, inclusion, inclusion training, inclusive workplace, language, neurodiversity, person-first language, stigma, Summer 2021 Issue
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As diversity and inclusion initiatives grow in popularity, it is important to consider how they contribute to shaping workplace attitudes. Programs that do not take current developments happening in the communities being serviced into account will come across as outdated at best, and harmful at...

Uniquely Human Podcast #8 – Autism and Personal Fulfillment with Dr. Temple Grandin

• January 8th, 2021
• disclosure, driving, identity, labels, learning style, parenting, personal growth, podcast, self-advocacy, sensory issues, soft skills, Temple Grandin, Uniquely Human
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Episode 8 - Autism and Personal Fulfillment with Dr. Temple Grandin Overview Striving and Driving for Success Dr. Temple Grandin joins us to share her perspective on setting oneself up for success in a lifelong journey of personal growth. David LaFrenz shares the impact his work has...

Different is My Identifier

• By: Becca Lory Hector, CAS, BCCS Evolving Skye, LLC
• April 1st, 2020
• actually autistic, confidence, diagnosis, female, identity, role models, self-esteem, Spring 2020 Issue, validation
• 3202    2

I was eight years old the first time I remember being aware of my difference. It didn’t have a name yet, that was still decades away, but nonetheless, suddenly at the ripe old age of eight, I was cognizant of that I was indeed different. For the seven years of life prior to that, I happily lived...