This week, we are joined by Katie York, also known as The Distracted Autistic. Katie is also the founder of Harford County Neurodivergents, a community group located in Maryland. Katie is also an educator, student, advocate, and community organizer with nearly fifteen years’ experience in community college workforce training programs. Katie's autistic voice will help us explore the diverse interests of the neurodivergent community. Download to learn more!
Resources:
- "I Will Die On This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World" By Meghan Ashburn & Jules Edwards
https://us.jkp.com/products/i-will-die-on-this-hill
- "Sincerely, Your Autistic Child: What People on the Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew About Growing Up, Acceptance, and Identity" Editors: Emily Paige Ballou, Sharon DaVanport, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu
Author: Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network
https://www.beacon.org/Sincerely-Your-Autistic-Child-P1685.aspx
- “The Autism and Neurodiversity Self Advocacy Handbook: Developing the Skills to Determine Your Own Future” By Barb Cook & Yenn Purkis
https://us.jkp.com/products/the-autism-and-neurodiversity-self-advocacy-handbook
Some US specific advocacy resources:
- “Civic Engagement Toolbox For Self-Advocates” from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/civic/
- “How To Call Your Representatives When You Have Social Anxiety” Instagram comic
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_vVqEBJI-/?img_index=11
- Partners in Policymaking Free Online Course: https://partnersonlinecourses.com/
Folks can also see if their local developmental disabilities council offers a state-specific version of this training. For example, I am currently a partner in Maryland’s program: http://www.thearcmd.org/partners/
- Center for Parent Information and Resources There are nearly 100 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) in the US and Territories.
https://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/
- SECAC/SEAC The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education ACT (IDEA) requires that each State operate a “state advisory panel.” https://sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/b/300.167
More info: https://www.wrightslaw.com/heath/state.advisory.panel.htm
Maryland’s is called the “Special Education Citizen’s Advisory Committee” (SECAC) and each county school system has their own, in addition to the statewide SECAC. https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Pages/Special-Education/sesac/index.aspx
Refer to your states “Special Education Advisory Council” or SEAC
LGBTQ+ &/or BIPOC Autism Related Resources
- The Trevor Project The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. They provide information & support to LGBTQ young people 24/7, all year round.
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
- Trans Life Line Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community. https://translifeline.org/
- Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network AWN Welcome Packets for newly diagnosed adults & parents of newly diagnosed children
https://awnnetwork.org/resource-library/
- Association for Autism and Neurodiversity AANE has a number of free and pay programs for families and adults. Two of note: Free Online Gender Identity Support Group for Adults
https://aane.org/events/?_event_type=support-groups&_identity_post=lgbtq-plus&_price=free-2 Free Online Support Group for BIPOC Adults
https://aane.org/events/?_event_type=support-groups&_identity_post=bipoc&_price=free-2
- Color of Autism Foundation
Non-Profit 501(c)3 organization committed to educating and assisting African American families with Autistic children
- Brown on the Spectrum About Us: To provide information, support, and resources to families and advocates of brown children on the Autism Spectrum
https://www.facebook.com/brwnonthespctrm/
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