Two perspectives on Autism Awareness Month
Autism Awareness Month at the University of Illinois
April is Autism Awareness month and it is being celebrated across the globe and also right here in Illinois. This month, the University of Illinois’ student newspaper highlighted the school’s services to assist adults with autism and their families and the push to recognize neurodiversity among other diverse cultures celebrated on its campuses. It’s great to see future generations of leaders taking such an active interest in autism. Read the article here.
Autism advocacy and research misses the mark if autistic people are left out
Some autistic self-advocacy organizations have criticized autism awareness initiatives because they too often emphasize the “deficits” or difficulties associated with autism, rather than the profound possibilities of autistic lives. In the article below, read more about how autistic activists are challenging advocacy and research initiatives that do not include the input and participation of individuals with autism: