Autism Support Groups: Building Autistic Community – What Autistic Culture Can Mean To You

Our previous post in the 2012 ICI Autism Summer Institute series, ICI Autism Summer Institute Workshop: Communication and Inclusion – Principles for Going Forward, focused on strategies for transforming the landscape of possibility to achieve full and free access to communication and inclusive education.

Co-hosted by Syracuse University School of Education’s Institute on Communication and Inclusion (ICI) and the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disabilities, the Autism Summer Institute is an annual conference that brings together FC typers, parents, facilitators/trainers, and educators for an educational and engaging journey, with workshops, presentations, panels and more. The host site alternates between Syracuse, NY and Durham, NH; Syracuse University’s Institute on Communication and Inclusion will host the 2014 Autism Summer Institute.

Presentation: Communication and Inclusion – Principles for Going Forward (Strand B1)

Presenters: Emily Titon, author, board member of the Rhode Island Advocates in Action; Melanie Yergeau, assistant professor of English at the University of Michigan, board member of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and the Autism National Committee (AutCom); and Julia Bascom, autistic writer and self-advocate

This session discussed the value of autistic culture and community, and talked about how participants can work to build a stronger community of autistic adults and youth in their local communities and campuses. Presenters discussed how the autistic community can help send a message to youth and adults on the spectrum that they are not alone, increase their quality of life, social inclusion, and other important aspects of belonging.

Topics covered included:
  • What is autistic culture? Why is it important?
  • Why do we need autistic culture? What does it mean to us?
  • Building an autistic community
  • Resources & examples for building community

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Next: Strand B2, What Do We Want? Systems Change! When Do We Want It? Now!
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Save the Dates July 28-30 for 2014 Autism Summer Institute:
Envisioning the Future: A New Disability Narrative

The Syracuse University School of Education is pleased to announce that the ICI will be hosting this year’s Summer Institute on July 28-30, at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center. You can pre-register on the ICI website to be notified when conference registration opens.
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