AUTCOM - The Autism National Committee

Unstrange Mind – Autistic Author, Artist, Advocate, and Speaker Maxfield Sparrow – Autistic Advocate Hello, and welcome to Unstrange Mind. I’m Maxfield Sparrow. When I get my web presence fully sorted out, Maxfield Sparrow will be the place to go to learn about my writing and this page will primarily be about my advocacy and activism work. I currently serve ...

This issue is one of great urgency and importance. — New Film, 13 AAC Users: Priorities for Future Research. Communication FIRST. July 11, 2024. “CommunicationFIRST is working to ensure that future research focuses on issues that most impact our community, and that AAC users drive and participate in research about us.” (17:11; captioned)

https://communicationfirst.org/new-film-13-aac-users-priorities-for-future-research/
Image: man in a wheelchair with an attached communication device showing an onscreen keyboard; wearing a shirt with text: Speech does not make someone more human.

New Film, 13 AAC Users: Priorities for Future Research A diverse group of AAC users was interviewed about their research priorities.

Good news. Thanks to all who worked on this.

ASAN welcomes removal of harmful appropriations bill rider - Autistic Self Advocacy Network ASAN welcomes the removal of Section 722 from the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. In June, some members of Congress introduced a rider to the act that would stop the FDA from banning electric shock devices for behavior modificati...

Action Alert: Call Now to #StopTheShock! - Autistic Self Advocacy Network Last week, we wrote to you about a bill that was being voted on in a subcommittee of the House of Representatives. The bill is the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Some Members of Congress added a new section to the bill, Section....

Important research summary: Same District, Different Outcomes: Comparing Included v. Separate Placements of Students with Extensive Support Needs. Excerpt: “Seventy-three percent of students in separate classes made no progress on communication and literacy and 67% made no progress on numeracy. In contrast, 100% of students in general education made progress on communication and literacy and only 7% made no progress on numeracy.”

www.evolveandeffect.com

Tell the FDA to STOP THE SHOCK

Image description: A black background with the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint logo at the top. There is a red border with quotation marks surrounding white text that reads, "'We are at the mercy of guardians and judges. When I was brought to court to be approved for the GED, I was not told where we were going or why. I was brought into the courtroom wearing a helmet and restraints on my wrists and ankles. I was not questioned by the judge.' --Survivor of the Judge Rotenberg Center." Below the red border reads, "Tell the FDA to STOP THE SHOCK" in alternating white and red text. The link https://aasr.news/idw appears in red text at the bottom.

Excellent chart from Evolve and Effect LLC: "If someone claims potential harmful effects of more time in general education settings, ask to see the research." IEP Placement Tips from IDEA: Considering Harmful Effects of Restrictive Settings. "In selecting the least restrictive environment, consideration is given to any harmful effect on the child or the quality of services that he or she needs." IDEA Part B, Subpart %, Section 300.116(d)

Did you know when making placement decisions, IEP teams are supposed to consider harmful effects on the child and quality of services?

However, most people are not familiar with the potential harmful effects of restrictive placements (e.g., separate classes, separate schools).

We've got you covered! Check out this new resource, with corresponding research.

Image description: Handout on the harmful effects of restrictive placements.
https://www.evolveandeffect.com/_files/ugd/d5d0d3_2a61efc982c649fcb7cb1d6f799cb1e6.pdf

"Autistic special interests are like oxygen. They are necessary for many of us to function in this world, almost like an in-built coping strategy our brains have created for us. We need them to survive."

Credit: itsemilykaty

“The day that I joined the self-advocacy movement was the day that I began to have more pride in myself as a person with a developmental disability. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.” Nicole LeBlanc: My Story On Growing Up As A Kid With Autism. By Nicole LeBlanc. Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered

https://autismnow.org/blog/nicole-leblanc-my-story-on-growing-up-as-a-kid-with-autism/
Image: Nicole delivering a speech at a podium speaker; woman with light skin, brown wavy hair, and small wire-frame glasses, wearing a white shirt and black jacket; background: brown walls with whiteshelves or frames.

Nicole LeBlanc: My Story On Growing Up As A Kid With Autism | The Arc’s Autism Now Center The Arc’s Autism Now Center is the nation's source for resources and information on community-based solutions for individuals with autism, other developmental disabilities, and their families. A national initiative of The Arc.

DIGNITY OF RISK TRAINING — Risks and Rights: They All Belong to the Person. By Nicole LeBlanc and Gail Godwin. June 6, 2024 @ 11am Eastern Time. $60 PER PERSON. It is practical and active. We will introduce a tool that assesses risk and plans through minimizing risk which is reason for restrictions. Attendees leave with both tools and at the very least a beginning of working plans to move forward.

Risks and Rights: They All Belong to the Person

Nonspeaking autistic woman embarks on inspiring journey to advocate for disability rights At 29 years old, Jordyn Zimmerman is autistic and nonspeaking but she's making her voice heard on some of the most prestigious stages. Jamie Wax sat down with Zimmerman in her first broadcast television interview to discuss the struggles she faced growing up, the way that a communication app on an i...

Our annual reminder on May the 4th, , courtesy of the very wise Yoda: "Learn about Autism you will. Seek Autistic voices you must."

AutCom 2024 Webinar: Is Work Working for Us? Is Work Working for Us? Autists' Own Experiences in Seeking, Finding, and Continuing Work -- April 6th, 2024 ...

Autistic People are Taking Back Autism “Awareness.” It’s About Acceptance. As a joke a few years ago, I posted on April 2 (widely celebrated as World Autism Awareness Day), “I think you’re all aware, but I’m autistic.” I was sick of seeing photos of non-autistic people on…

From Tiffany at Nigh Functioning Autism and Meghan at Not an Autism Mom. Communication Options for Nonspeaking Young Children. Free. 1 hr 30 min. Web conferencing details provided upon confirmation. A 90-minute interactive Zoom meeting for parents, carers, and educators of nonspeaking young children.

https://calendly.com/notanautismmom/group-communication-toddlers

UPDATE: We have increased the number of participants. 🙌

This small group Zoom session is Sunday, May 5th at 4:30pm EDT.

We removed the fee.

✅ Learn about apraxia and the Brain/Body Disconnect.

✅ Learn what it means to presume competence.

✅ Learn how to increase communication through low-tech and high-tech AAC options.

✅ Learn about potentially harmful strategies.

This session is perfect for educators, parents, advocates, Early Intervention professionals… Anyone who works with young children.

Join TJ from Nigh.functioning.Autism and me!

"Autism is not defined by an absence. It is defined by vividness. I see the world in all its colours and sounds. You see 20 shades of green. I see 200. I notice things that others don't. It is chaotic, but it's vivid."

Credit: itsemilykaty

Wayne's World: Learning what you're truly missing out on I recently learned that a father’s job is never truly done. And I’m glad it’s not.

So proud of our most recent podcast with Elizabeth Bonker, non-speaking autistic valedictorian, and tireless advocate for non-speakers worldwide.

https://uniquelyhuman.com/2023/08/18/elizabeth-bonker-non-speakers/

Her story is but one more of many examples as to why ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association) needs to seriously reconsider the position statements dismissing the authenticity of typed and spelled communication of so many non-speakers, that is being used to restrict access to communicative options in schools. (Full disclosure: I am a career-long member of ASHA, and 2014 recipient of ASHA Honors, their highest recognition for contributions to the profession of communication disorders)

Tonight! 4/9/2024 at 7PM Eastern Time.

🌈TONIGHT @ 7PM ET🌈

Join author Fidgets and Fries and illustrator Kate Cosgrove for as they share A DAY WITH NO WORDS, a colorful story about what life looks like for a young child who uses nonverbal communication.

Watch here: https://fb.me/e/4Q1Lf0tzw

What assumptions do you make about people who can't use their natural speech?

"The caveat of not speaking is that the general population believes that I'm not cognitively sound and that includes the majority of the education sector. As you read this you might wonder how a nonspeaking autistic can express their story so eloquently. I'm someone who types to communicate."
Jack Allnutt, High School Student

[id: Jack, a young man in a long sleeved shirt is using a letter board taped to the table to communicate. His words from the quote above are printed in white text over part of the picture.]

To learn more about including disabled learners in general education, check out this resource:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PnwucKkKL1MWSlOWTc8K9IFLVIygJdmqUAciJYiqeg4/edit?usp=sharing

In inclusive schools, every learner is valued, engaged in learning the general curriculum, welcomed, and supported in the whole school community.

What is YOUR favorite inclusive education video?