Fear of the unfamiliar is a powerful force. 

And when it comes to autism, we don’t only have a knowledge problem, we have a courage problem. 

We’ve all seen or experienced the harm that comes with labels, bullying, and social exclusion. 

But reflexively protecting ourselves keeps us locked in a cycle of ignoring the need for real education beyond tropes or inspiration porn and keeps us from normalizing the varied needs and supports for autistics instead of perpetuating these supports as burdens or flaws.

So, how can we, as leaders, challenge ourselves to create a world where everyone is welcome—even those who don’t fit the mold? 

We invite autistic voices to the table and platform them in the spaces we live, work, and lead. And we face our fears and discomforts, without getting bogged down with perfectionism and focusing on simply doing the next right thing.

When our director of Health and Human Services is using his position to spread narratives about autistic people that are not only inaccurate, but dangerous, we have to embrace and speak up for inclusion. Inclusion isn’t always easy or efficient, but it makes us more prosperous as a community, and courage grows becomes a contagion.

Today’s conversation will help you consider how we can move past toxic, dehumanizing views about autistic people and start leading with more compassion and understanding.

Eric Garcia is the senior Washington correspondent for The Independent who authors its Inside Washington newsletter. He is also a columnist for MSNBC and the author of We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation. He previously worked at The Washington Post, The Hill, Roll Call, National Journal, and MarketWatch.

Meg Raby is an autistic female, children’s author of the My Brother Otto series, Speech Language Pathologist, writer for Scary Mommy and full time employee of the nation’s leading nonprofit in sensory inclusion, KultureCity. At any given moment, Meg is thinking about how to better love on the humans around her and how to create positive change without causing division.

Content note: Brief, non-descriptive mentions of suicide

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How the anti-vaccine narrative around autism pulls resources from the actual work of improving outcomes for autistic people
• How our relational history can intersect with shame and perfectionism to make us fear a neurodivergent diagnosis
• How a deficits-based approach limits our ability to envision what a happy, fulfilling life looks like for autistic people
• How validating what’s often underneath fears about autism can more effectively start conversations that change minds
• Why making spaces neurodivergent affirming is ongoing work, not a checklist

Learn more about Eric Garcia:

• Website
• Twitter: @EricMGarcia
• Instagram: @EricMGarcia14
• We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation

Learn more about Meg Raby Klinghoffer:

• KultureCity
• Meg's Work at Scary Mommy
• Instagram: @author.meg.raby
• The My Brother Otto Series

Learn more about Rebecca:

• rebeccaching.com
• Work With Rebecca
• The Unburdened Leader on Substack
• Sign up for the weekly Unburdened Leader Email

Resources:

• Maintenance Phase: RFK Jr. and The Rise of the Anti-Vaxx Movement
• Maintenance Phase: RFK Jr. and The Mainstreaming Of The Anti-Vaxx Movement
• Scary Mommy: My Aging Parents Shocked Me By Walking Away From Our Relationship