The Autistic Rights Movement UK(ARM UK) is holding its Annual General Meeting and Conference on Saturday, June 4th 2011 at The Islington Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London, N7 6PA. 1.00 p.m. for 1.30 p.m. until 5.30 p.m.
Guest speaker Ari Ne’emanPresident of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Member of the US National Council on Disability (appointed by President Barack Obama) and member of the Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee
AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH: NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US!
Written by Elesia Ashkenazy
To some, Autism Awareness Month might mean purchasing puzzle shaped cookies at local restaurants in order to support a cure for autism. For others, it might mean participating in walks, writing letters to legislators, screening an autism-focused movie, or connecting with community members to raise positive awareness. But there are many different kinds of awareness. When I polled several Autistic self-advocates by asking, "Do you feel anything is missing in the big picture of Autism Awareness? If so, what changes would you like to see?" this is what they had to say:
Alyson Bradley in Christchurch, New Zealand:
We need national recognition. This is a hard question for me because I have autistic, mental and intellectual differences.
Dr. Paula Kluth is a consultant, teacher, author, advocate, and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. Her research and professional interests include differentiating instruction, and supporting students with autism and significant disabilities in inclusive classrooms. Paula is a former special educator who has served as a classroom teacher, consulting teacher, and inclusion facilitator. She works with teachers in K-12 schools, pre-schools, and early intervention programs. She also regularly works with family organizations and disability-rights and advocacy groups.
As you may know, Ari Ne'eman, founder and president of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), was nominated by President Obama to serve on the National Council for Disability (NCD). The purpose of NCD is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, and that empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.
Diagnosed with "Atypical Development with strong autistic tendencies" Dr. Shore was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much help from his parents, teachers, and others, Stephen completed his doctoral dissertation at Boston University focused on matching best practice to the needs of people on the autism spectrum. Stephen presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies.
To some, Autism Awareness Month might mean purchasing puzzle shaped cookies at local restaurants in order to support a cure for autism. For others, it might mean participating in walks, writing letters to legislators, screening an autism-focused movie, or connecting with community members to raise positive awareness. But there are many different kinds of awareness. When I polled several Autistic self-advocates by asking, "Do you feel anything is missing in the big picture of Autism Awareness? If so, what changes would you like to see?" this is what they had to say:
