Erin Kiernan calls herself an autism mom. She's a journalist by profession and autism advocate, who returns to The Crisis Files to offer insights into the vital role of early diagnosis and the transformative power of viewing autism as a difference in brain type – instead of a disease. Erin explains the definitions of "tone policing" and "lateral violence" to host Roshini Rajkumar and how these terms negatively impact the autism community. Learn why outward-focused advocacy is more powerful than inward conflict. Erin urges a willingness to ask uncomfortable questions to break stigmas and build understanding.