About the Guest(s): Julia Bascom is the Executive Director at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). She has extensive experience in disability rights advocacy and has served on various boards and councils related to disability equality. Julia is autistic herself and is dedicated to promoting the rights and inclusion of autistic individuals.

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, host Tim Villegas interviews Julia Bascom, the Executive Director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). Julia discusses the work of ASAN, which is a national grassroots organization run by and for autistic individuals. She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and the need for autistic voices to be included in discussions about autism. Julia also highlights the difference between autism awareness and autism acceptance, advocating for a shift towards acceptance and inclusion. The conversation touches on topics such as recovery from autism, inclusive education, and the future Julia envisions for autistic individuals.

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/mJybP0w3cxvDgLRJorhiTT0vOuk

Key Takeaways:

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a national grassroots organization run by and for autistic individuals. It focuses on policy advocacy and systems change, bringing a civil rights framework to its work.

• Autism awareness campaigns often perpetuate stereotypes and misinformation about autism. Autism acceptance, on the other hand, promotes respect, inclusion, and community building.
• Recovery from autism is not supported by scientific evidence. The goal of recovery in behavioral therapy can be harmful and unethical, as it often involves suppressing natural ways of interacting with the world and communicating.
• Inclusive education is a civil right, and segregated or substantially separate environments can perpetuate segregation and limit individuals' rights. However, the reality is that not all schools are fully inclusive, and personal decisions must be made based on individual circumstances.
• Julia envisions a future where autistic individuals can grow up loving themselves, feeling safe in their bodies, and seeing autistic adults living diverse lives. She hopes for a world where autistic people can live freely without fear of violence and where day-to-day support or alternative communication methods are seen as normal and unremarkable.

Resources:

Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): https://autisticadvocacy.org/

Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network: https://awnnetwork.org/

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