A #MyAutismJourney story by Megan Thorne
A #MyAutismJourney story by Kristian I’m autistic, but sometimes people don’t take it seriously because my autism isn’t always visible. When I tell people, they often think I seem “too normal,” which can make it harder to feel confident speaking up for myself. Over time, I’ve realised that advocacy starts with understanding my own rights and…
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When I started my job, I asked for a few simple adjustments, like lower lighting above my desk and the ability to walk the corridor if I needed to stim and reset. Having those small supports helped me feel more comfortable and confident at work, and now I’m able to give presentations and speak at conferences about autism.
One of the hardest things for me is sensory overload. Bright lights, loud sounds and too many people talking can all feel like too much at once.
A #MyAutismJourney story by Susana Novais Santos Hello! My name is Susana Novais Santos, I am a Portuguese autistic woman, activist, and neuroscientist. I’ve known I’ve been autistic since I was little, but only recently have I embraced autistic advocacy. It’s a great honor to participate in the Autistic Self-Advocacy Academy as a trainer. It’s…
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I always felt out of place, like a child lost in a world of overwhelming sensations and rules I couldn’t understand.
This year Autistic youth, trainers, and researchers came together to co-create a programme celebrating neurodiversity and driving social change. From research with 97 autistic young people to building a six-unit curriculum covering advocacy, education, healthcare, employment, legal rights, and digital activism. We also created the Train-the-Trainer Programme, helping educators build inclusive, accessible spaces where every…
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Blaine shares exciting details about what the six units of the ACTIVATE Advocacy Academy. The units will develop and strengthen self-advocacy skills in education, healthcare, the workplace, policy, and online spaces. Each will include activities you can complete in your own time and workshops led by ACTIVATE Trainers. More updates on how to sign up to…
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Autistic youth across Europe still face barriers to inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities. That’s why IMPACTsci, together with the other European partners, has created the first Autistic Advocacy Academy in Europe. Raquel, Project Manager with ImpactSci, shares how the Advocacy Academy has been designed to support the diverse community of Autistic young people across Europe.…
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