Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center’s Post

Intersectionality recognizes that people's identities are shaped by multiple factors, like gender and sexuality. The Autism Society created this rack card to provide resources and tools on the intersectionality of LGBTQIA+ and Autism. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dAkdGpHt #AutismSocietyColorado #AutismAcceptance #InclusionMatters

Happy World Bipolar and Autism Awareness Day and/ or more appropriately Celebration Day from The Australian Centre for Lived Experience 'TACFLE' For many of us, we view our experiences as an identity we are proud of which have given us many talents, gifts, strengths, inner resources, clarity and superpowers. ⭐ For many of us, the world, its social norms, marginalisation and discrimination are what place the barriers to our ways of being in this world. 🕳️ Some of us don't see our identity and/or experiences in this way, but it's important to acknowledge this Mad positive and neuro divergent positive community and its contribution to the advancement of inclusion, social justice and disability justices aims. 🎢 The Mad and disability communities are stronger together, as an alliance, as intersecting social movements. Please feel free to share this post, and tell someone you love 💕, and/ or someone you work with, how proud you are of who they are and what they bring to this world. We don't hear pride enough, we hear shame! 🏳️🌈💯 Image designed by Ray 😊 Image description: a gender fluid presenting person wearing glasses with and their hair in a bun holding up a Mad pride flag in purple and pink stripes. #awareness #mentalhealth #recovery #socialmodelofdisability #autism #neurodivergent #bipolar #advocacy #disability

During Autism Acceptance Month, it's crucial to recognize the intersecting challenges faced by autistic BIPOC and autistic people of marginalized genders. BIPOC individuals often encounter disparities in access to diagnosis, support services, and culturally competent care. Autistic women, non-binary, transgender, and gender non-conforming individuals face similar hurdles to access. Let’s continue to deepen our intersectional analysis as we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month. #AutismAcceptance #ActuallyAutistic #Autism #Neurodiversity #DisabilityJustice #BIPOCAutism . . . [Image Description: White text reads "EMBRACED BODY CELEBRATES AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH. April 1st-April 30th, @embracedbody1." Centered is a rainbow infinity graphic with hands. Image is on a purple background.]

During Autism Acceptance Month, it's crucial to recognize the intersecting challenges faced by autistic BIPOC and autistic people of marginalized genders. BIPOC individuals often encounter disparities in access to diagnosis, support services, and culturally competent care. Autistic women, non-binary, transgender, and gender non-conforming individuals face similar hurdles to access. Let’s continue to deepen our intersectional analysis as we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month. #AutismAcceptance #ActuallyAutistic #Autism #Neurodiversity #DisabilityJustice #BIPOCAutism . . . [Image Description: White text reads "EMBRACED BODY CELEBRATES AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH. April 1st-April 30th, @embracedbody1." Centered is a rainbow infinity graphic with hands. Image is on a purple background.]

Join us this Thursday 12 September for this webinar that delves into the tricky and complex area of sexuality and relationships support for people with intellectual or cognitive disabilities. Ann Craft (1987) stated that people with intellectual disabilities have the following basic rights pertaining to sexuality: • to grow up, i.e. to be treated with the respect and dignity accorded to adults, • to know, i.e. to have access to as much information about themselves and their bodies and those of other people, their emotions, appropriate social behaviour etc, as they can assimilate, • to be sexual and to make or break relationships, • to be free from the individual sexual attitudes of different caregivers, • to be free from abuse, and • to humane and dignified environments. • Decades later, these rights remain relevant to people with intellectual or cognitive disabilities. Register now: https://ow.ly/m1TL50TiuTQ

How can we suport and protect autistic youth? April is Autism Acceptance Month, and the National Center on Child Trafficking is proud to celebrate the differences among us. - Unfortunately, autistic youth have a high risk of experiencing violence, including sexual violence. Some studies have shown that up to 89% of autistic children are victimized by bullying, abuse, or assault, and many suffer multiple types of victimization across their lifetime. - Social and communication differences, a lack of appropriate sex education, and disability-related stigma all leave autistic individuals vulnerable. Autistic girls and gender minorities are especially at risk. In a study of 225 autistic women, 88% reported experiences of sexual violence, and 60% of this victimization began when the women were 18 years old or younger (Cazalis et al, 2022; https://lnkd.in/gvKRfRW4). - How can you help? ✅ Educate yourself. Know the signs of sexual violence and the vulnerabilities of the autistic community. More information here: https://lnkd.in/ebr-xehe ✅ Empower voices. Listen to and believe people with autism. Of the autistic women who reported their assault, only 25.5% received care (Cazalis et al, 2022). We can and should do better. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gfBwU2WZ ✅ Embrace differences. If society is more accepting, there will be less pressure on autistic individuals to do things that are overwhelming or upsetting in order to fit in. Everyone has a right to bodily autonomy and boundaries. #AutismAcceptanceMonth #AutismAwarenessMonth

Would you deny young people with intellectual disability the opportunity to learn about consent in a way that suits their understanding? At Northcott, we believe in the fundamental right of every individual to receive comprehensive sexuality and relationship education, regardless of disability.  Healthy sexuality and relationships are crucial for everyone's well-being, including people with disability. That's why sexuality and relationship education services which cover consent education, therapy, and support for sexual health are not just beneficial but essential for autonomy and safety.   We advocate for inclusive services that: ✅ Ensure everyone can engage in consensual, healthy relationships.  ✅ Empower individuals to make informed decisions about their bodies.  ✅ Protect against all forms of violence, including online sexual violence and exploitation.  ✅ Provide education about sexuality in a manner that's accessible and understandable. Join us in advocating for equal access to resources that empower people with intellectual disability to make informed choices. Learn more about why sexuality and relationship education is critical for everyone: https://lnkd.in/gY7kTJaP #DisabilityInclusion #SexualHealth #Relationships #Education

🌈 What is sexuality, especially for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)? Join Kate Harvey as she breaks down this complex topic, offering insights and understanding in her latest video. Watch now to learn more and expand your perspective! 🎥✨ #sexuality #inclusiveeducation #idd #puberty

Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes: From a 4-year-old boy exploring his world with autism to a 25-year-old woman challenging misconceptions about her ASD diagnosis, every individual's journey defies societal expectations.Let's embrace diversity, break down barriers, and create a world where everyone's unique identity is celebrated. #GenderEquality #Autism #Diversity #Stereotypes

Today is Tuesday so it's time for another #TerminologTuesday here at #TeamISG. The word for this week is #Disabled, or more specifically the difference between #PersonWithADisability vs #DisabledPerson. The difference is between the use of 'person first' language, i.e. Sarah has autism, versus 'identity first' language, i.e. Sarah is an autistic person. The person-first language is related to the social model of disability and emphasises that the person is only disabled because Society is not set up to include them. Whereas identity-first is related to the medical model that focuses on the disability first and recognises that, for some, the disability is a core part of their identity. Both approaches have their merit, so if you are not sure how someone would refer to their disability, just ask! What do you think? Do you use identity-first or person-first language?