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The Actually Autistic Guide to Advocacy

The Actually Autistic Guide to Advocacy

Step-by-Step Advice on How to Ally and Speak Up with Autistic People and the Autism Community

The #ActuallyAutistic Guide to Advocacy takes an in-depth look at the key elements of effective, respectful, inclusive advocacy and allyship. Every topic was chosen, shaped, and informed by #ActuallyAutistic perspectives.

Product Code: 8978
ISBN: 9781787759732
Format: Paperback / softback
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Pages: 320
Published Date: 02/21/2022
Availability:In stock
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Price: $21.95
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The step-by-step guide discusses various aspects of how autism is perceived, explores how best to speak up for individual needs, and introduces advocacy for the wider autistic community. Each step outlines one vital aspect of advocacy and allyship, such as emphasizing acceptance, avoiding assumptions and assuming competence. The advice and strategies laid out in this guide center the wisdom and experiences of Autistic people and enable the reader to confidently speak up with insight and understanding.


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Introduction

Stage One: Building an Advocacy Base by Learning and Listening
Step 1: Emphasize Acceptance
Replace panic with steady growth in awareness/acceptance
Reframe autism as a way of being (not a tragedy)
Focus on eliminating barriers instead of so-called "bad" behaviors/attributes
Work for change in society, cultures, and institutions, not Autistic people
Be sensitive to the details but work towards the bigger picture

Step 2: Adopt a Balanced Perspective
Avoid assumptions about savantism
Take the entire lifespan into account
Avoid stereotyping by gender
Acknowledge strengths and weaknesses as with all humans

Step 3: Presume Competence
Distinguish between autism and other intellectual differences and disabilities
Understand that neuro-normalized methods are often used to determine competence
Listen, listen, listen-even when someone isn't talking at the speed you'd prefer
Be aware that over-sheltering can prevent people from growing

Step 4: Advocate for Individuals Embrace respectful story sharing
Be aware of the perils of blanket assumptions
Always get to know the Autistic person first
Never expect a one-size-fits-all-solution
Beware of inspiration porn
Honor the diverse aspects of Autistic people

Stage Two: Implementing #Actually Autistic Advice in Your Own ND Family, Classroom, or Practice
Step 5: Advocate for Things Autistic People Actually Want
Explore only Autistic-initiated therapies
Honor diverse relationships
Use language carefully-person-first language versus identity-first language
Consider the social model of disability
Practice neurodiversity-friendly school and workplace advocac

Step 6: Stay Centered on the Autistic Person's Needs and Dreams
Remember that many Autistic people don't want to look or act NT
Recognize that a neurotypical's vision of a happy life might not be the same as an Autistic person's vision
Listen to Autistic people (and your child) over NT parents and other "experts"
Be sensitive to using intent as an excuse
Distinguish between meltdowns and tantrums
Practice appropriate aspects of independent living at every age

Step 7: Include All Autistic People
Defer to Autistic people as the experts in autism
Acknowledge and respect the authority of all Autistic people of varying skills sets
Remember that while one particular Autistic person may have unique autism characteristics, they may nonetheless have broadly useful insights
Stage Three: Public Advocacy for Autism Understanding and Acceptance

Step 8 Connect Respectfully with Actually Autistic People

Reach out to the Autistic community (take the first step)
Conduct inclusive research
Treat Autistic people as people, not study subjects
Learn about the intersection of race and disability
Support and/or work with/for organizations that are disability-friendly

Step 9: Put Theory into Practice
Be a continual student and implement your own advice
Stay on top of technology trends
Recognize and acknowledge past flaws, and move forward

Advocacy Goals Checklist for Easy Self-Improvement
Interviewee Bios
References
Subject Index
Author Index

The disability model needs to be eliminated and autistic abilities in music, art, math, and memory should be celebrated. This book will guide advocates and help change negative perceptions of autism. Guidance from autistic people is essential for understanding how autistics perceive the world differently. - Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures

An essential social justice tool for our times, The #ActuallyAutistic Guide to Advocacy brings together dozens of professionals and advocates from a spectrum of backgrounds to unfold a complex topic into a practical guidebook for allyship and advocacy. Filled with wisdom about the Autistic community and culture, the book provides direct approaches to fostering inclusivity, belonging, and equity for Autistics of all ages. The authors present sensitive topics in a diplomatic and linear way, which serves to broaden the reader's perspective and awareness. As a bonus, the comprehensive list of interviewee bios-a powerful mix of neurovariant and neurodivergent individuals-is a launchpad to additional neurodiversity resources. I gladly recommend The #ActuallyAutistic Guide to Advocacy to caregivers, allies, and advocates alike, and to any person wishing to expand their understanding of life on the spectrum. - Samantha Craft (aka Marcelle Ciampi), M.Ed., author of Everyday Aspergers, DEI Senior Manager and Ambassador for Ultranauts Inc., International Neurodiversity Educator and Consultant

The #ActuallyAutistic Guide thoughtfully presents a wide range of Autistic voices seeking to shape advocacy and allyship strategies that will not only improve the lives of neurodivergent people, but make the world a better place for everyone. - John Elder Robison, #ActuallyAutistic, NY Times Bestselling Author of 'Look Me in the Eye'

Brunton and Gensic have created a tremendous resource with The #ActuallyAutistic Guide to Advocacy, a book that takes much of the ponderous burden of self-advocacy off our Autistic shoulders. I am deeply grateful for their work. Instead of burning myself out, explaining the same things over and over, I can hand a copy of this book to my supervisor, professor, clients' parents, or potential friends and partners. Every person who cares for, cares about, or interacts with Autistic people must read this book! -Maxfield Sparrow, Autistic Direct Support Professional and editor of Spectrums: Autistic Transgender People in Their Own Words
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Review and Rate this Item

The step-by-step guide discusses various aspects of how autism is perceived, explores how best to speak up for individual needs, and introduces advocacy for the wider autistic community. Each step outlines one vital aspect of advocacy and allyship, such as emphasizing acceptance, avoiding assumptions and assuming competence. The advice and strategies laid out in this guide center the wisdom and experiences of Autistic people and enable the reader to confidently speak up with insight and understanding.


Bookmark and Share
Introduction

Stage One: Building an Advocacy Base by Learning and Listening
Step 1: Emphasize Acceptance
Replace panic with steady growth in awareness/acceptance
Reframe autism as a way of being (not a tragedy)
Focus on eliminating barriers instead of so-called "bad" behaviors/attributes
Work for change in society, cultures, and institutions, not Autistic people
Be sensitive to the details but work towards the bigger picture

Step 2: Adopt a Balanced Perspective
Avoid assumptions about savantism
Take the entire lifespan into account
Avoid stereotyping by gender
Acknowledge strengths and weaknesses as with all humans

Step 3: Presume Competence
Distinguish between autism and other intellectual differences and disabilities
Understand that neuro-normalized methods are often used to determine competence
Listen, listen, listen-even when someone isn't talking at the speed you'd prefer
Be aware that over-sheltering can prevent people from growing

Step 4: Advocate for Individuals Embrace respectful story sharing
Be aware of the perils of blanket assumptions
Always get to know the Autistic person first
Never expect a one-size-fits-all-solution
Beware of inspiration porn
Honor the diverse aspects of Autistic people

Stage Two: Implementing #Actually Autistic Advice in Your Own ND Family, Classroom, or Practice
Step 5: Advocate for Things Autistic People Actually Want
Explore only Autistic-initiated therapies
Honor diverse relationships
Use language carefully-person-first language versus identity-first language
Consider the social model of disability
Practice neurodiversity-friendly school and workplace advocac

Step 6: Stay Centered on the Autistic Person's Needs and Dreams
Remember that many Autistic people don't want to look or act NT
Recognize that a neurotypical's vision of a happy life might not be the same as an Autistic person's vision
Listen to Autistic people (and your child) over NT parents and other "experts"
Be sensitive to using intent as an excuse
Distinguish between meltdowns and tantrums
Practice appropriate aspects of independent living at every age

Step 7: Include All Autistic People
Defer to Autistic people as the experts in autism
Acknowledge and respect the authority of all Autistic people of varying skills sets
Remember that while one particular Autistic person may have unique autism characteristics, they may nonetheless have broadly useful insights
Stage Three: Public Advocacy for Autism Understanding and Acceptance

Step 8 Connect Respectfully with Actually Autistic People

Reach out to the Autistic community (take the first step)
Conduct inclusive research
Treat Autistic people as people, not study subjects
Learn about the intersection of race and disability
Support and/or work with/for organizations that are disability-friendly

Step 9: Put Theory into Practice
Be a continual student and implement your own advice
Stay on top of technology trends
Recognize and acknowledge past flaws, and move forward

Advocacy Goals Checklist for Easy Self-Improvement
Interviewee Bios
References
Subject Index
Author Index

The disability model needs to be eliminated and autistic abilities in music, art, math, and memory should be celebrated. This book will guide advocates and help change negative perceptions of autism. Guidance from autistic people is essential for understanding how autistics perceive the world differently. - Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures

An essential social justice tool for our times, The #ActuallyAutistic Guide to Advocacy brings together dozens of professionals and advocates from a spectrum of backgrounds to unfold a complex topic into a practical guidebook for allyship and advocacy. Filled with wisdom about the Autistic community and culture, the book provides direct approaches to fostering inclusivity, belonging, and equity for Autistics of all ages. The authors present sensitive topics in a diplomatic and linear way, which serves to broaden the reader's perspective and awareness. As a bonus, the comprehensive list of interviewee bios-a powerful mix of neurovariant and neurodivergent individuals-is a launchpad to additional neurodiversity resources. I gladly recommend The #ActuallyAutistic Guide to Advocacy to caregivers, allies, and advocates alike, and to any person wishing to expand their understanding of life on the spectrum. - Samantha Craft (aka Marcelle Ciampi), M.Ed., author of Everyday Aspergers, DEI Senior Manager and Ambassador for Ultranauts Inc., International Neurodiversity Educator and Consultant

The #ActuallyAutistic Guide thoughtfully presents a wide range of Autistic voices seeking to shape advocacy and allyship strategies that will not only improve the lives of neurodivergent people, but make the world a better place for everyone. - John Elder Robison, #ActuallyAutistic, NY Times Bestselling Author of 'Look Me in the Eye'

Brunton and Gensic have created a tremendous resource with The #ActuallyAutistic Guide to Advocacy, a book that takes much of the ponderous burden of self-advocacy off our Autistic shoulders. I am deeply grateful for their work. Instead of burning myself out, explaining the same things over and over, I can hand a copy of this book to my supervisor, professor, clients' parents, or potential friends and partners. Every person who cares for, cares about, or interacts with Autistic people must read this book! -Maxfield Sparrow, Autistic Direct Support Professional and editor of Spectrums: Autistic Transgender People in Their Own Words
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Review and Rate this Item

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