In this episode of Autistic Advocacy, Matt and Angela welcome special guest Meghan Ashley, LPC-S—an autistic licensed professional counsellor, speaker, and author of Blueprint to Behaviour—for a conversation about neurodivergent parenting, autistic self-understanding, and creating advocacy that starts at home.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Why autism advocacy begins at home – Creating affirming environments, building accommodations plans, and dismantling internalized ableism in both kids and parents.
• Meghan Ashley’s mission – Why she’s determined that this generation of autistic children will be the last to grow up misunderstood, and her call to move beyond ABA.
• Inside Blueprint to Behaviour – Practical tools for reading nonverbal cues, supporting sensory needs, and meeting autistic children where they are.
• Parenting as an autistic person – Navigating late diagnosis, reparenting your younger self, and building layered support for your neurodivergent family.
• Cultural competence & Black autistic identity – The need for culturally responsive care and the unique dangers of ABA in Black communities.
• Living your best autistic life – Carrying sensory tools, sunglasses, and communication supports; understanding burnout, masking, and skill regression; and embracing your full autistic self unapologetically.

Featured Guest:

Meghan Ashley is a proudly autistic therapist, TED speaker, and lifelong learner licensed in Texas. She empowers clients to embrace their authenticity and specializes in supporting autistic adults, parents, and families with compassion and clarity.

Resources:

• Meghan’s TED Talk – Inspiring insights on neurodivergence and parenting. 🔗 Watch here
• Book – Blueprint to Behaviour – A compassionate, practical guide to understanding autistic children’s communication and behaviour. 🔗 Available on Amazon
• Autism Toolkits & Resources – Practical materials for adapting environments to autistic needs. 🔗 Visit adaptingtoautism.com

Related Episodes:

Bad Autism Diagnosis

Child-to-Parent Diagnostic Pipeline

Reframing DSM Autism Criteria

Sunglasses are Autistic

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🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

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