Why is Self-Advocacy important for Autistic people? What does it look like in reality vs theory? What are the barriers to effective advocacy?

Autistic Callum (Callum Stephens) is a renowned Autism and LGBTQ+ advocate perhaps best known for his Instagram content. With near 100,000 followers, his precise and simple writing on Autism topics has definitely got him far!

In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Callum about his experiences of REAL LIFE self-advocacy, the heartbreaking barriers that often come up and the harsh negative effects it can have in different social settings.

Kicking off the conversation, they talk all about Callums experience with a divine intervention which encouraged him to start his advocacy journey, balancing work with social media, and modern day representation of autism in film/TV.

Self-advocacy is not only about advocating in the face of superiors/authorities, it can also be about the social backlash many autistics experience. The two cover different examples where effective self-advocacy is needed, but also scenarios where they chose not to advocate.

MILITANT SELF-ADVOCACY can upset people and make getting 'what you want' much more difficult. Self-advocacy can be as simple as being stubborn or independent, when NTs around you are telling you the opposite… not very validating - YOU know what YOU need best!

Outcomes are the most important, not the process - and success is measured and determined by yourself. Don't let people minimise you or tell you what you want, TRUST YOURSELF

Expect ideas on how to improve your self-advocacy, whether it's relationships, the workplace and in all walks of life in this amazing episode!

If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: [email protected]

Callums Links:-

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/autistic_callum_/ [https://www.instagram.com/purpleellaandcoco/]

Twitter - https://twitter.com/AutisticCallum_?s=20&t=U4r8te4REBN9LByIPU3acQ

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@autistic_callum_ [https://www.youtube.com/user/purplemumify]

Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5

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Website - https://www.thomashenley.co.uk [https://www.thomashenley.co.uk/]

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