Allies Take Action
For Autistic Acceptance
An Interactive Online Learning Experience
for Educators and Others Seeking to be Allies
Embedded Files
Seeking to be an ally to the Autistic community? You have come to the right place!
Created by Karen A. Timm for EDUC 5104G,
Analysis and Design of Web-Based Tools, Instructor: Dr. Jia Li
April 10, 2024
Land Acknowledgement
Land Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge that many Indigenous Nations from across Turtle Island and across the world have longstanding relationships, both historic and modern, with the territories and lands upon which our advocacy and community leadership occur. We would like to acknowledge the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of these Nations, as the struggle for Indigenous rights is deeply connected to all Human Rights work. When we recognize the systemic and social connections within our work, it is also essential that we refuse to historicize these struggles, because doing so ignores the impact of colonial oppression which persists today. In our advocacy efforts, we are committed to disrupting and dismantling the systems of oppression that have dispossessed Indigenous people of their lands and denied their rights to self-determination. This work is essential to human rights work across the world.
We would like to acknowledge that many Indigenous Nations from across Turtle Island and across the world have longstanding relationships, both historic and modern, with the territories and lands upon which our advocacy and community leadership occur. We would like to acknowledge the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of these Nations, as the struggle for Indigenous rights is deeply connected to all Human Rights work. When we recognize the systemic and social connections within our work, it is also essential that we refuse to historicize these struggles, because doing so ignores the impact of colonial oppression which persists today. In our advocacy efforts, we are committed to disrupting and dismantling the systems of oppression that have dispossessed Indigenous people of their lands and denied their rights to self-determination. This work is essential to human rights work across the world.
Neurodivergent Infinity Network of Educators
Introduction:
Allies Take Action for Autistic Acceptance is a free, self-paced learning experience designed to provide interactive professional learning for educators who are seeking to be better allies to Autistic students, colleagues and community members. What sets this learning experience apart from other professional development related to Autism, is that all resources used in the development of the learning modules are authentically informed by Autistic researchers, educators, and advocates from around the world. Moreover, the developer of this learning experience is an Autistic educational leader, advocate and most importantly, the parent of an Ausome human.
33515839fbfa456a928d6f69d32d6e86_540.mp4Watch the Intro Video!
(Please be advised this video is created intentionally to be a little harsh on the senses for those who may not experience that during their day-to-day experiences.)
Why was this learning experience created?
Advocating publicly as @NeurodiversityInPrincipal for over a decade prior to coming out as Autistic (AuDHD) in 2020, the developer of this learning experience, Karen Timm has dedicated extensive 'heart work' during her career to the relentless pursuit of Neurodiversity-informed changes in Education and beyond. She has navigated the educational system as a student, educator, leader and parent, while engaged in a life-long journey to unpack why systems and societal norms just never seemed to align with her experiences or those of many students and colleagues. Despite a tireless commitment to perpetual reflective practice and ongoing and varied professional learning during her career spanning over two decades, Karen was continually finding that training and recommendations from clinical professionals, and those deemed "experts" were actually not working for many students. Instead, they needed creative and innovative approaches that were just not part of an educator's toolkit.
Dedicated to understanding and meeting the needs of all students, Karen continued to feel a sense of existential dissonance when trying to consolidate what she had been trained to do with what intuitively made sense when working with Autistic students in particular. It was not until Karen confirmed her own Autistic identity and began learning with intentionality from and alongside Autistic educators, researchers, writers and advocates, that she realized the essential need to prioritize and honour Autistic perspectives and lived experiences.
A Growing body of research is confirming what seems to have been known by Autistic advocates for decades, that in order to meet the needs of Autistic students AND staff in schools, professional learning must be informed by, and whenever possible lead by Autistics. After all, only Autistics experience life through the lens of an Autistic neurology, with our diverse sensory profiles, 'spiky skillsets' and complex communication differences.
This learning experience is yours to explore in your own way and on your own timeline. Honour your journey. It is hoped that by joining Autistics and other allies along the way, together you will become well equipped to shift away from outdated and harmful systemic defaults by reframing notions of normal and taking action as allies for Autistic acceptance.
To read Karen's recent article in OPC's The Register, Reframing Normal, listen to podcasts, or learn more about her work with the Neurodivergent Infinity Network of Educators, check out the Developer Bio.
How is this learning experience organized?
Allies Take Action for Autistic Acceptance offers you three interactive learning modules. The modules are self-guided and designed to provide optimum autonomy to each user. Prior to beginning the modules, you are encouraged to peruse the Self-Reflection Tools provided, as these will provide context and insights to help you guide your learning. To be responsive to users accessing this tool from varying entry points and diverse personal and professional experiences, the modules can be completed in sections or in full, accessed as reference tools, and revisited as needed to build competency and confidence with the resources and information provided.
By engaging in this self-directed learning, you will:
REFLECT:
Using Self-Reflection Tools
access tools for self-reflection related to privilege, prior knowledge and allyship skills
be challenged to reflect on and question your current schema about Autistics
identify biases that may be influencing your decisions and causing unintentional harm to Autistics
UNLEARN:
Demystifying and Mythbusting (Module 1)
gain historical context which continues to impact how Autistics are perceived, understood and harmed
learn to identify common misconceptions about Autistic humans
REFRAME:
review Autistic led (and/or informed) research and theories which are foundational for understanding Autistics.
consider whether your existing practices align with current research and Neuroaffirmative Practice
access resources and tools to support your learning
TAKE ACTION:
Engaging, Amplifying and Changing the Narrative (Module 3)
explore scenarios and practice applying new learning
become familiar with Autistic virtual spaces
interact as a co-learner with Autistics and other educators to share successes, collaborate and Take Action for Autistic Acceptance
Is this learning experience right for me?
Allies Take Action for Autistic Acceptance has been created for educators and those seeking to be allies to Autistics in our schools and communities. While the learning modules are created with educators and educational professionals in mind, parents/guardians, and other community members will find many of the resources and learning opportunities beneficial for fostering understanding, deconstructing misconceptions, and building capacity in our workplaces, homes and communities, when it comes to better understanding Autistic realities. Whether you have formal training related to working with Autistics, or are entering the dialogue for the first time, there is a lot to learn, and you may be surprised by what you thought you knew!
Getting Started--Some Recommendations
To get the most out of this course, interaction is recommended. You may find it helpful to familiarize yourself with the Tools first so you can plan ahead. Notably, the tools listed below are accessible to you at any time during your learning experience, in the hope that these will open up opportunities for continued learning with other educators and members of the Autistic community, including educators who are Autistic.
1) To keep things handy for educators, The Autistic Acceptance Google Classroom has been set up for your use. It is a living hub which will continue to evolve as our community of practice evolves. Connect in the stream, explore the tools and resources, and begin contributing in your own way and time.
2) The Autistic Acceptance Community of Practice Action Board is a great launch pad which you can access at any time, and continue to access as we build this community of practice. When accessing the Action Board, you will find practice scenarios to consider and work through both independently and with other users, add and read comments, access and discuss the learning tools, and post your successes and ideas for so we can continue to work in community to foster Autistic Acceptance.
3) The Allies Take Action for Autistic Acceptance Flip Group is another way to build our community of practice. You may observe and comment on short videos from other users, post an introduction video, and contribute to community posts by submitting more focussed video shorts on a topic related to our co-learning.
4) Allies Take Action for Autistic Acceptance contains many videos, graphics and links embedded throughout the modules have been carefully selected to help you familiarize yourself with a variety of Autistics and Autistic led organizations. Depending on the way you prefer to access learning materials, you may find it helpful to bookmark the sites, channels, and social media accounts of these researchers, writers, artists and advocates.
How can I extend my learning after I complete the modules?
Allies Take Action for Autistic Acceptance offers a variety of resources to support your continued learning:
The videos, graphics and links embedded throughout the modules have been carefully selected to help you familiarize yourself with a variety of Autistics and Autistic led organizations. Depending on the way you prefer to access learning materials, you may find it helpful to bookmark the sites, channels, and social media accounts of the these researchers, writers, artists and advocates.
Take advantage of the interactive learning opportunities embedded throughout to build your familiarity with new content and continue challenging your thinking.
Actively engage in the opportunities provided to help grow and participate in our community of practice. By connecting with others seeking to be allies and with Autistics seeking to build collaborative relationships with allies near and far, we maximize our shared potential.
Let's build our Autistic Acceptance Community of Practice together:
The Autistic Acceptance Google Classroom
Autistic Acceptance Community of Practice Action Board
Access the Modules
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