{"id":16187,"date":"2023-03-15T05:46:55","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T10:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/last-drum.flywheelsites.com\/?p=16187"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:38:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T17:38:06","slug":"neurodiversity-celebration-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/autism.org\/neurodiversity-celebration-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Neurodiversity Celebration Week"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1315.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:16.666666666667%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:11.52%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:11.52%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:66.666666666667%;--awb-margin-top-large:40px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.88%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.88%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><div>\n<div>Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide celebration of individuals who think, move, communicate, and process information differently. This global initiative aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by recognizing their unique strengths and talents and designing an inclusive and respectful culture that honors differences and empowers all people.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:25px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><blockquote>\n<p><em><strong>\u201cI founded Neurodiversity Celebration Week in 2018 because I wanted to change the way learning differences are perceived. As a teenager who is autistic and has ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, my experience has been that people often focus on the challenges of neurological diversity. I wanted to change the narrative and create a balanced view which focuses equally on our talents and strengths.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">Siena Castellon, Founder of Neurodiversity Celebration Week<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:25px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><p>Such cultural narrative shifts are reflected in the continued evolution of autism science and investigation. Thanks in part to the neurodiversity movement, contemporary autism research emphasizes assessments and care that <strong>amplify individuals\u2019 strengths<\/strong> and place <strong>happiness<\/strong> and <strong>quality of life <\/strong>at the forefront of<strong> care goals.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:25px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><p>In recognition of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/neurodiversityweek\/?hl=en\">#NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek<\/a>, we have gathered a list of learning resources about the strengths and capabilities of our neurodiverse peers, how we can best support them, and how societal perspectives of autism have shifted in tandem with social movements over time.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\"><h2>Neurodiversity Webinars<\/h2>\n<\/div><div class=\"accordian fusion-accordian\" style=\"--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:13px;--awb-content-font-size:20px;--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f7f8f9;--awb-border-color:#e8eaf0;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:e8eaf0;--awb-divider-hover-color:e8eaf0;--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:#ff8900;--awb-content-color:#5d5f64;--awb-icon-box-color:#202020;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#ffa737;--awb-title-font-family:&quot;Josefin Sans&quot;;--awb-title-font-weight:700;--awb-title-font-style:normal;--awb-title-font-size:24px;--awb-content-font-family:&quot;PT Sans&quot;;--awb-content-font-style:normal;--awb-content-font-weight:400;\"><div class=\"panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed\" id=\"accordion-16187-1\"><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-74e413422e41211fc fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#ff8900;\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_74e413422e41211fc\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"74e413422e41211fc\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-16187-1\" data-target=\"#74e413422e41211fc\" href=\"#74e413422e41211fc\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon fa-angle-up fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon fa-angle-down fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Maximizing Neurodiversity in School &amp; Employment<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"74e413422e41211fc\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_74e413422e41211fc\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"Maximizing Neurodiversity: Education &amp; Jobs\" width=\"1265\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cmMeSg5qnpI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"36.4px\">Maximizing Neurodiversity: Education &amp; Jobs<\/h3>\n<p>In this webinar, scientist and psychiatrist Lawrence Fung, MD, Ph.D., discusses what neurodiversity is and how increased awareness and support benefit not only neurodiverse individuals but the global population as a whole. He outlines the Strengths-Based Model of Neurodiversity and presents the newly implemented Stanford initiatives for neurodiverse student and employment support.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/neurodiversity-education-employment\/\"><strong>Webinar Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-3454466c55d4c9f7d fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#ff8900;\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_3454466c55d4c9f7d\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"3454466c55d4c9f7d\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-16187-1\" data-target=\"#3454466c55d4c9f7d\" href=\"#3454466c55d4c9f7d\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon fa-angle-up fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon fa-angle-down fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Benefits, Accommodations &amp; Advocacy in Employment<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"3454466c55d4c9f7d\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_3454466c55d4c9f7d\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"Benefits, Accommodations, &amp; Advocacy in Employment for Individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder\" width=\"1265\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dil8G1-erzc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"36.4px\">Benefits, Accommodations &amp; Advocacy in Employment for People with Autism<\/h3>\n<p>Claire Schutte, Psy-D, BCBA-D talks about accommodation, advocacy, and benefits of employment for people with autism. She touches on the benefits of autistic and neurodivergent people for organizations and the community. Schutte also discusses how to prepare for interviews, self-advocacy, and employment resources before the Q&amp;A.<\/p>\n<p><em>This webinar is provided in partnership with the Johnson Center for Child Health &amp; Development<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-9b4bf4b046a51b28c fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#ff8900;\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_9b4bf4b046a51b28c\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"9b4bf4b046a51b28c\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-16187-1\" data-target=\"#9b4bf4b046a51b28c\" href=\"#9b4bf4b046a51b28c\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon fa-angle-up fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon fa-angle-down fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Inclusion in Research<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"9b4bf4b046a51b28c\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_9b4bf4b046a51b28c\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"Autism Research: Nothing About Me Without Me\" width=\"1265\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GIecp6blA0E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"36.4px\">Autism Research: Nothing About Me Without Me<\/h3>\n<p>In this webinar, ARI board member Dr. Wenn Lawson discusses the concept of neurodiversity and how it relates to creating a more inclusive society. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing that there is no \u201cnormal\u201d brain and that everyone\u2019s brain is wired differently. This diversity in thinking and processing information should be celebrated and used as a strength. The concept of neurodiversity applies to all people, not just certain individuals, and we need to create environments where everyone can thrive and be successful, regardless of their unique differences. The video also discusses the broader concept of diversity and how it\u2019s important to recognize and celebrate the unique strengths and talents of each individual.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/autism-research-nothing-about-me-without-me\/\"><strong>Webinar Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:25px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\"><h2>Webinars on Strengths-Based Approaches &amp; Wellbeing<\/h2>\n<\/div><div class=\"accordian fusion-accordian\" style=\"--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:13px;--awb-content-font-size:20px;--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f7f8f9;--awb-border-color:#e8eaf0;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:e8eaf0;--awb-divider-hover-color:e8eaf0;--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:#ff8900;--awb-content-color:#5d5f64;--awb-icon-box-color:#202020;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#ffa737;--awb-title-font-family:&quot;Josefin Sans&quot;;--awb-title-font-weight:700;--awb-title-font-style:normal;--awb-title-font-size:24px;--awb-content-font-family:&quot;PT Sans&quot;;--awb-content-font-style:normal;--awb-content-font-weight:400;\"><div class=\"panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed\" id=\"accordion-16187-2\"><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-bb2903330af5168df fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#ff8900;\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_bb2903330af5168df\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"bb2903330af5168df\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-16187-2\" data-target=\"#bb2903330af5168df\" href=\"#bb2903330af5168df\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon fa-angle-up fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon fa-angle-down fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Wellbeing &amp; Positive Psychology<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"bb2903330af5168df\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_bb2903330af5168df\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"Wellbeing Wins: Integrating Positive Psychology into the Autism Community\" width=\"1265\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qHAXGuQL9JA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"36.4px\">Wellbeing Wins: Integrating Positive Psychology into the Autism Community<\/h3>\n<p>Patricia Wright, PhD, MPH, and Katie Curran, MAAP, introduce Proof Positive \u2013 The Autism Well-being Alliance. The speakers describe positive psychology, its impact on well-being, and why it matters for autistic people and their communities. Curran details four skills to help with thinking positively and provides suggestions for practicing and applying them to daily life. The speakers emphasize the lack of focus on positive emotions in autism care and how this plays into isolation and mental health issues. They affirm that individuals \u201ccan control [their] own well-being\u201d by employing positive psychology and training their minds to build on the things that go well each day. Wright and Curran outline Proof Positive\u2019s free learning and teaching resources before the Q&amp;A.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wellbeing-positive-psychology\/\"><strong>Webinar Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-5dee5461d895b3e16 fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#ff8900;\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_5dee5461d895b3e16\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"5dee5461d895b3e16\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-16187-2\" data-target=\"#5dee5461d895b3e16\" href=\"#5dee5461d895b3e16\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon fa-angle-up fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon fa-angle-down fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Transitions and the Aim of Thriving<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"5dee5461d895b3e16\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_5dee5461d895b3e16\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"Examining the Transition to Adulthood in Autism: Challenges and Opportunities in the Aim of Thriving\" width=\"1265\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/w_x4SbAHobM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"36.4px\">Examining the Transition to Adulthood in Autism: Challenges and Opportunities in the Aim of Thriving<\/h3>\n<p>David B. Nicholas, Ph.D., examines the transition to adulthood and its implications for autistic individuals. He presents the ecosystem mentality and discusses recent findings supporting a holistic and future-oriented integrated care system. The speaker details potential areas of capacity building within post-secondary education and employment and highlights the need for cross-sector collaboration and lifelong care. Nicholas summarizes the presentation, underscoring changes in contemporary discourse, and considers future avenues of research before the Q&amp;A session.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/examining-transition\/\"><strong>Webinar Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-259ccbaaf360de53f fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#ff8900;\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_259ccbaaf360de53f\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"259ccbaaf360de53f\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-16187-2\" data-target=\"#259ccbaaf360de53f\" href=\"#259ccbaaf360de53f\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon fa-angle-up fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon fa-angle-down fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Strengths-Based Transition Planning<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"259ccbaaf360de53f\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_259ccbaaf360de53f\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"Examining the Transition to Adulthood in Autism: Challenges and Opportunities in the Aim of Thriving\" width=\"1265\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/w_x4SbAHobM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"36.4px\">Examining the Transition to Adulthood in Autism: Challenges and Opportunities in the Aim of Thriving<\/h3>\n<p>David B. Nicholas, Ph.D., examines the transition to adulthood and its implications for autistic individuals. He presents the ecosystem mentality and discusses recent findings supporting a holistic and future-oriented integrated care system. The speaker details potential areas of capacity building within post-secondary education and employment and highlights the need for cross-sector collaboration and lifelong care. Nicholas summarizes the presentation, underscoring changes in contemporary discourse, and considers future avenues of research before the Q&amp;A session.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/examining-transition\/\"><strong>Webinar Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-565b25ebab2063ded fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#ff8900;\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_565b25ebab2063ded\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"565b25ebab2063ded\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-16187-2\" data-target=\"#565b25ebab2063ded\" href=\"#565b25ebab2063ded\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon fa-angle-up fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon fa-angle-down fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Gender &amp; Autism<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"565b25ebab2063ded\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_565b25ebab2063ded\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"Gender and Autism\" width=\"1265\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sD20xIDp-Jc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"36.4px\">Gender and Autism<\/h3>\n<p>In this webinar, Gray Atherton, Ph.D., details the socialization of the female gender experience and how that plays into autism gender biases. The speaker discusses the experiences of autistic women, highlighting that gender is a critical barrier to diagnosis and care. Atherton details recent investigations into implicit gender biases in autism and their impact on medical care and autism understanding. She evidences contemporary shifts in the zeitgeist of gender and autism and provides suggestions for future research. The presenter offers sources and acknowledgments before the Q&amp;A, where she discusses masking, minorities and misdiagnosis, videogaming and autism, and much more.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/gender-and-autism\/\"><strong>Webinar Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-bf5d2ddc3c637a178 fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#ff8900;\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_bf5d2ddc3c637a178\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"bf5d2ddc3c637a178\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-16187-2\" data-target=\"#bf5d2ddc3c637a178\" href=\"#bf5d2ddc3c637a178\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon fa-angle-up fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon fa-angle-down fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Gender, Sexuality &amp; Autism<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"bf5d2ddc3c637a178\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_bf5d2ddc3c637a178\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"Gender, Sexuality, and Autism\" width=\"1265\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7clxxl_nBMo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"36.4px\">Gender, Sexuality, and Autism<\/h3>\n<p>Dr. Wenn Lawson, Ph.D., delves into the intersection of autism, sexuality, and gender. He describes monotropism as a theory of attention and addresses common sex differences in autism. The presenter discusses gender dysphoria, its biological and physiological underpinnings, and its prevalence and impact on autistic individuals. Lawson highlights the need for autism-specific sexual education and walking with autistic people as they discover their gender identities. He reiterates the spectral nature of autism, gender, and sexuality and provides resources before the Q&amp;A.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/sexuality-and-gender\/\"><strong>Webinar Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-8b222ca8b2af44aff fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#ff8900;\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_8b222ca8b2af44aff\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"8b222ca8b2af44aff\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-16187-2\" data-target=\"#8b222ca8b2af44aff\" href=\"#8b222ca8b2af44aff\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon fa-angle-up fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon fa-angle-down fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Self-Care for Caregivers<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"8b222ca8b2af44aff\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_8b222ca8b2af44aff\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"Parents and Caregivers: The Importance of Self-Care\" width=\"1265\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9FVBCutTusE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"36.4px\">Parents and Caregivers: The Importance of Self-Care<\/h3>\n<p>Amanda Tami, LPC, BCBA, discusses the importance of self-care for adult caregivers supporting people with special needs, including autism. She provides context for mental health in the US and highlights the importance of self-care in the modern world. The speaker outlines factors that affect mental health, discusses burnout compared to depression, and describes issues with the way society views and idealizes self-care. Tami reframes self-care using five key aspects to create more accessible and realistic expectations for adult caregivers. She emphasizes short personalized self-care routines that can be done alongside other responsibilities and notes the trial and error of discovering what works. Throughout the presentation, Tami highlights community support and socialization. She provides references and resources before the Q&amp;A.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/self-care\/\"><strong>Webinar Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:25px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7\"><h2>Webinars on Autism Understanding &amp; Society<\/h2>\n<div class=\"accordian fusion-accordian\">\n<div id=\"accordion-27816-3\" class=\"panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed\">\n<div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-b2bf7837aba9e8c32 fusion-toggle-has-divider\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading\">\n<h4 id=\"toggle_b2bf7837aba9e8c32\" class=\"panel-title toggle fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"24\" data-lineheight=\"22.08px\"><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"accordian fusion-accordian\" style=\"--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:13px;--awb-content-font-size:20px;--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f7f8f9;--awb-border-color:#e8eaf0;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:e8eaf0;--awb-divider-hover-color:e8eaf0;--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:#ff8900;--awb-content-color:#5d5f64;--awb-icon-box-color:#202020;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#ffa737;--awb-title-font-family:&quot;Josefin Sans&quot;;--awb-title-font-weight:700;--awb-title-font-style:normal;--awb-title-font-size:24px;--awb-content-font-family:&quot;PT Sans&quot;;--awb-content-font-style:normal;--awb-content-font-weight:400;\"><div class=\"panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed\" id=\"accordion-16187-3\"><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-2f6186f4965d45f51 fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#ff8900;\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_2f6186f4965d45f51\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"2f6186f4965d45f51\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-16187-3\" data-target=\"#2f6186f4965d45f51\" href=\"#2f6186f4965d45f51\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon fa-angle-up fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon fa-angle-down fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">A Century of Discovery and Development<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"2f6186f4965d45f51\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_2f6186f4965d45f51\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"Autism: A Century of Discovery and Development\" width=\"1265\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OXHoKlddMng?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"36.4px\">Autism: A Century of Discovery and Development<\/h3>\n<p>In this webinar, Dr. Stephen M. Edelson,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/steve-edelson-bio\/\">Chief Science Officer for ARI<\/a>, outlines historic milestones in autism research, understanding, and acceptance. He contextualizes pivotal studies and cultural references, highlighting their role in the evolution of autism understanding and acceptance. Edelson summarizes nearly 100 years of autism research.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>By looking at the history of how ASD has been perceived and studied, it can be used to understand the source of biases and attitudes that individuals with ASD and their families endure by society. Often these perceptions are outdated, such as autism being caused by parents being neglectful, so condensing this information of disproven myths into its own webinar may be helpful in dispelling public misconceptions towards autism.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Helena Nguyen, Clinical Intern at The Johnson Center for Child Health and Development<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/autism-a-history\/\"><strong>Webinar Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-c0168e304fd92f693 fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#ff8900;\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_c0168e304fd92f693\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"c0168e304fd92f693\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-16187-3\" data-target=\"#c0168e304fd92f693\" href=\"#c0168e304fd92f693\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon fa-angle-up fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon fa-angle-down fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Understanding Autism<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"c0168e304fd92f693\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_c0168e304fd92f693\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"Understanding Autism: From Confusion to Awareness\" width=\"1265\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CoCCyz7y77I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"36.4px\">Understanding Autism: From Confusion to Awareness<\/h3>\n<p>Paul Shattock, B.Pharm, OBE, shares his personal experiences as a parent of someone with autism. He details how perceptions of autism have shifted over the course of his son&#8217;s life and how these shifts have impacted families and practitioners. Shattock considers environmental drivers of autism and emphasizes the importance of continued research into underlying causes.<\/p>\n<p>In the past, families were confused when they noticed something different about their children but couldn\u2019t figure out what it was. Even after getting a diagnosis, parents still struggled because many people didn\u2019t believe autism was real. Pioneers like Bernard Rimland, who started studying autism over 60 years ago, helped change how people thought about it. There was a lot of debate over whether autism was a mental illness, a behavior problem, or something else. As more people became aware of autism, the number of diagnosed cases seemed to grow quickly, raising questions about why this was happening. Scientists are still exploring reasons for this increase, including how our environment and the diversity of living things might play a role.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/understanding-autism-from-confusion-to-awareness\/\"><strong>Webinar Summary<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-panel panel-default panel-88febeae94e396a85 fusion-toggle-has-divider\" style=\"--awb-title-color:#ff8900;\"><div class=\"panel-heading\"><h4 class=\"panel-title toggle\" id=\"toggle_88febeae94e396a85\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"88febeae94e396a85\" role=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion-16187-3\" data-target=\"#88febeae94e396a85\" href=\"#88febeae94e396a85\"><span class=\"fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><i class=\"fa-fusion-box active-icon fa-angle-up fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><i class=\"fa-fusion-box inactive-icon fa-angle-down fas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"fusion-toggle-heading\">Inclusion in Community<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div><div id=\"88febeae94e396a85\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"toggle_88febeae94e396a85\"><div class=\"panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix\">\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\"><iframe title=\"Inclusion, Community, and Raising Kids Who Care: Ideas for Raising Community-Minded Kids\" width=\"1265\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YwhwRlsKWv0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"28\" data-lineheight=\"36.4px\">Inclusion, Community, and Raising Kids Who Care: Ideas for Raising Community-Minded Kids<\/h3>\n<p>Anissa Ryland defines what it means to be community-minded, outlines what the benefits are, and gives tips for getting started. Benefits of community involvement include social and emotional skill building and overall improvements in health. Ryland provides suggestions for social activities for young children and teenagers including hiking, book exchanges, and much more.<\/p>\n<p><em>This webinar is provided in partnership with the Johnson Center for Child Health &amp; Development<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:25px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8\"><h2>Resources from <a href=\"https:\/\/aidecanada.ca\/resources\/learn\">AideCanada<\/a><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Research Summary: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/aidecanada.ca\/resources\/learn\/asd-id-core-knowledge\/organizational-benefits-of-neurodiversity-preliminary-findings-on-autism-and-the-bystander-effect\">Organizational Benefits of Neurodiversity: Preliminary Findings on Autism and the Bystander Effect<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Toolkit: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/aidecanada.ca\/resources\/learn\/community-inclusion\/atoolkit\">Neurodiversity in Cultural Institutions: Making the Most of Visits and Welcoming Those with Diverse Needs<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Toolkit\/Article:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/aidecanada.ca\/resources\/learn\/education\/lgbtq-toolkit\">LGBTQ2S+ Toolkit, Celebrating Neurodiversity, Gender Diversity and the Community<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Online Course: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/aidecanada.ca\/resources\/learn\/asd-id-core-knowledge\/supporting-neurodivergent-guests-and-colleagues\">Supporting Neurodivergent Guests And Colleagues<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Toolkit:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/aidecanada.ca\/resources\/learn\/asd-id-core-knowledge\/how-to-be-an-ally-to-the-autistic-community\">How to be an Ally to the Autistic Community<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Webinar: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/aidecanada.ca\/resources\/learn\/asd-id-core-knowledge\/building-understanding-informing-action-six-principles-for-inclusion\">Building Understanding, Informing Action: Six Principles for Inclusion<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Webinar: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/aidecanada.ca\/resources\/learn\/asd-id-core-knowledge\/exploring-respite-its-importance-for-caregivers\">Exploring Respite &amp; its Importance for Caregivers<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Resource Collection: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/aidecanada.ca\/resources\/learn\/communication\/healthy-relationship-collection\">Healthy Relationships and Sexuality Collection<\/a><\/p>\n<p>____________________________<\/p>\n<h2>ARI Articles<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/making-employment-work\/\">Making Employment Work <\/a>&#8211; By Barbara Bissonnette, CEC<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/support-means-knowing-who-i-am\/\">Support Means Knowing Who I Am<\/a> &#8211; Excerpt from Adults with ASD ARI E-bulletin, Nov. 2013<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/autism-workplace-accomodations\/?\">Workplace Accommodations: Tips<\/a> &#8211; By Melanie Jordan, BS, CESP<\/p>\n<p>____________________________<\/p>\n<h2>Neurodiversity Books by ARI Collaborators<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Taking off the Mask: A Practical Guide for Managing Autistic Camouflaging and Mental Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>By Dr.\u00a0Hannah Louise Belcher\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload  wp-image-16201 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/taking-off-the-mask-practical-exercises-to-help-understand-and-minimise-the-effects-of-autistic-camouflaging-b-iext122663965.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/taking-off-the-mask-practical-exercises-to-help-understand-and-minimise-the-effects-of-autistic-camouflaging-b-iext122663965.jpg\" alt=\"taking off the mask book cover\" width=\"166\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27166%27%20height%3D%27251%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20166%20251%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27166%27%20height%3D%27251%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/taking-off-the-mask-practical-exercises-to-help-understand-and-minimise-the-effects-of-autistic-camouflaging-b-iext122663965-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/taking-off-the-mask-practical-exercises-to-help-understand-and-minimise-the-effects-of-autistic-camouflaging-b-iext122663965-200x302.jpg 200w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/taking-off-the-mask-practical-exercises-to-help-understand-and-minimise-the-effects-of-autistic-camouflaging-b-iext122663965-400x604.jpg 400w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/taking-off-the-mask-practical-exercises-to-help-understand-and-minimise-the-effects-of-autistic-camouflaging-b-iext122663965.jpg 424w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 166px) 100vw, 166px\" \/>&#8216;I realised I had been camouflaging my whole life &#8211; I&#8217;d been trying to mask my autistic traits and fit in with all the non-autistic people around me.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Growing up autistic can often feel as though you have to become a chameleon in social situations, camouflaging yourself to fit in with a seemingly neurotypical world. Combining lived experience with scientific research and practical advice, this book is the essential guide to understanding why you mask and how to feel confident without one.<\/p>\n<p>Focusing on diagnostic devices like the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) to discover the situations in which you mask the most and why, alongside a range of techniques, from CBT, compassion-based therapy, DBT, and mindfulness to relieve anxiety and reduce stress, this guide gives you all the tools and confidence you need to re-connect with yourself, the things you love and finally, take off your mask.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For more content related to this author:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Read our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/women-in-autism\/\">Women in Autism<\/a>, which includes quotes from Dr. Belcher.<\/li>\n<li>Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/gender-differences-in-diagnoses\/\">this webinar<\/a> on\u00a0Delayed and Missed Diagnosis of Autistic Women, presented by Dr. Belcher.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Different Not Less: Inspiring Stories of Achievement and Successful Employment from Adults with Autism, Asperger&#8217;s, and ADHD<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><strong>By Dr. Temple Grandin<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-16202 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/116d19eb4708aba161b5c7ae1877.jpeg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/116d19eb4708aba161b5c7ae1877.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"153\" height=\"231\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27153%27%20height%3D%27231%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20153%20231%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27153%27%20height%3D%27231%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/116d19eb4708aba161b5c7ae1877-198x300.jpeg 198w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/116d19eb4708aba161b5c7ae1877-200x303.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/116d19eb4708aba161b5c7ae1877-400x605.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/116d19eb4708aba161b5c7ae1877-600x908.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/116d19eb4708aba161b5c7ae1877.jpeg 677w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 153px) 100vw, 153px\" \/>Temple\u2019s primary mission is to help people with ASD and ADHD tap into their hidden abilities. Temple chose contributors from a wide variety of skill sets to show how this can be done. Each individual tells their own story, in their own words, about their lives. From relationships, bullying, making eye contact, honing social skills, and eventual careers, these stories have something everyone can learn from.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"a-text-bold\">Different &#8230; Not Less<\/span> shows how, with work, each of the contributors:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"a-unordered-list a-vertical\">\n<li><span class=\"a-list-item\">Found mentors<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"a-list-item\">Learned skills necessary for employment<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"a-list-item\">Became successfully employed<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"a-list-item\">Developed self-con\u00acfidence<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"a-list-item\">Faced the challenges of forming and maintaining relationships and sometimes raising families<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you\u2019ve read the first edition, you\u2019ve only gotten half the story. Temple Grandin and these amazing contributors proudly display their growth as they take us along on their journeys.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For more content related to this author:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Read Dr. Grandin&#8217;s article, <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/temple-grandin-inside-asd\/\">Inside ASD,<\/a> where she talks about her lived experience with Autism.<\/li>\n<li>Read Dr. Grandin&#8217;s article, <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/jobs-autism-temple-grandin\/\">Employment and Autism Tips<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"title\" class=\"a-spacing-none a-text-normal\"><span id=\"productTitle\" class=\"a-size-extra-large\">The Passionate Mind: How People With Autism Learn<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>By Dr. Wenn Lawson<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-16203 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Passionate-Mind.jpeg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Passionate-Mind.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"138\" height=\"206\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27138%27%20height%3D%27206%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20138%20206%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27138%27%20height%3D%27206%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Passionate-Mind-200x299.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Passionate-Mind-201x300.jpeg 201w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Passionate-Mind-400x597.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Passionate-Mind-600x896.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Passionate-Mind.jpeg 670w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 138px) 100vw, 138px\" \/>Dr. Lawson examines traditional theories about the autism spectrum (AS) and reveals their gaps and shortcomings. Showing that a completely different way of thinking about AS is needed. He sets forward the theory of Single Attention and Associated Cognition in Autism (SAACA), an approach that explains autism in terms of the unique learning style of AS individuals. The SAACA approach suggests that whereas neurotypical people can easily shift their attention from one task to another, those on the autism spectrum tend to use just one sense at a time, leading to deep, intense attention. From the perspective of this new approach, Dr. Lawson describes practical outcomes for individuals, families, and places of education and employment and shows that when the unique learning style of AS is understood, valued, and accommodated, AS individuals can be empowered to achieve their fullest potential. This is a fascinating read for anyone with a personal or professional interest in the autism spectrum, including clinical practitioners, educators, researchers, individuals on the spectrum and their families, teachers, occupational therapists, and other professionals.<\/p>\n<h3>Concepts of Normality: The Autistic and Typical Spectrum<\/h3>\n<p><strong>By Dr. Wenn Lawson<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload  wp-image-16204 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/41nz7bOuiFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/41nz7bOuiFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"148\" height=\"218\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27148%27%20height%3D%27218%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20148%20218%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27148%27%20height%3D%27218%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/41nz7bOuiFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-200x295.jpg 200w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/41nz7bOuiFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-203x300.jpg 203w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/41nz7bOuiFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-400x590.jpg 400w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/41nz7bOuiFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_-600x885.jpg 600w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/41nz7bOuiFL._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg 678w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 148px) 100vw, 148px\" \/>For those with autism, understanding &#8216;normal&#8217; can be a difficult task. For those without autism, the perception of &#8216;normal&#8217; can lead to unrealistic expectations of self and others. This book explores how individuals and society understand &#8216;normal&#8217; in order to help demystify and make accessible a full range of human experiences.<br \/>\nDr. Lawson outlines the theory behind the current thinking and beliefs of Western society that have led to the building of a culture that fails to be inclusive. He describes what a wider concept of &#8216;normal&#8217; means and how to access it, whether it&#8217;s in social interaction, friendships, feelings, thoughts, and desires, or various other aspects of &#8216;normality.&#8217; Practical advice is offered on a range of situations, including how to find your role within the family, how to integrate `difference&#8217; into everyday society, and how to converse and connect with others.<br \/>\nAccessible and relevant to people both on and off the autism spectrum, this book offers a fresh look at what it means to be `normal.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><strong>For more content related to this author:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Read our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/gender-discomfort-and-autism\/\">Gender Discomfort and Autism<\/a>, which includes insights from Dr. Lawson<\/li>\n<li>Read our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/sexual-victimization-in-autism\/\">Sexual Victimization in Autism<\/a>, which includes insights from Dr. Lawson<\/li>\n<li>Watch Dr. Lawson&#8217;s webinar, <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/webinars\/aging-and-autism\/\">Aging and Autism<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Watch Dr. Lawson&#8217;s webinar, <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/webinars\/gender-dysphoria-asd\/\">Gender Dysphoria and ASD<\/a><\/li>\n<li>View <a href=\"https:\/\/www.buildsomethingpositive.com\/wenn\/books.html\">more books<\/a> written by Dr. Lawson<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_6 1_6 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:16.666666666667%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:11.52%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:11.52%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div 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fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:30px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-recent-posts fusion-recent-posts-1 avada-container layout-default layout-columns-3\"><section class=\"fusion-columns columns fusion-columns-3 columns-3\"><article class=\"post fusion-column column col col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sm-4\"><div class=\"fusion-flexslider fusion-flexslider-loading flexslider flexslider-hover-type-none\"><ul class=\"slides\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/autism-research-nothing-about-me-without-me\/\" aria-label=\"Autism Research: Nothing About Me Without Me\" class=\"hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"440\" height=\"323\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/wao-ari-joint-vertical.png\" class=\"attachment-recent-posts size-recent-posts lazyload\" alt=\"wao-ari-joint logo\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27440%27%20height%3D%27323%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20440%20323%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27440%27%20height%3D%27323%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/wao-ari-joint-vertical.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/wao-ari-joint-vertical-200x147.png 200w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/wao-ari-joint-vertical-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/wao-ari-joint-vertical-400x294.png 400w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/wao-ari-joint-vertical.png 440w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" \/><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"recent-posts-content\"><span class=\"vcard\" style=\"display: none;\"><span class=\"fn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/author\/autismadmin\/\" title=\"Posts by autismAdmin\" rel=\"author\">autismAdmin<\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"updated\" style=\"display:none;\">2024-09-23T15:42:09-05:00<\/span><h4 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/autism-research-nothing-about-me-without-me\/\">Autism Research: Nothing About Me Without Me<\/a><\/h4><p class=\"meta\"><span class=\"vcard\" style=\"display: none;\"><span class=\"fn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/author\/autismadmin\/\" title=\"Posts by autismAdmin\" rel=\"author\">autismAdmin<\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"updated\" style=\"display:none;\">2024-09-23T15:42:09-05:00<\/span><span>July 19th, 2021<\/span><span class=\"fusion-inline-sep\">|<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/category\/webinar\/adults-on-the-spectrum\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Adults on the Spectrum<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/category\/webinar\/research-webinar\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Research<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/webinars\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Webinar<\/a><span class=\"fusion-inline-sep\">|<\/span><\/p><p>   This is a joint presentation by the World Autism Organisation and ARI.   Dr. Wenn Lawson discusses \u201cnothing about us without us\u201d and capacity building to enable the benefits of participatory<\/p><\/div><\/article><article class=\"post fusion-column column col col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sm-4\"><div class=\"fusion-flexslider fusion-flexslider-loading flexslider flexslider-hover-type-none\"><ul class=\"slides\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/transition-to-adulthood\/\" aria-label=\"Transition to Adulthood\" class=\"hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"441\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/college-800x450-1-700x441.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-recent-posts size-recent-posts lazyload\" alt=\"Professor and a group of young students engaged in a classroom discussion\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27800%27%20height%3D%27450%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27800%27%20height%3D%27450%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/college-800x450-1-700x441.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/college-800x450-1-320x202.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/college-800x450-1-700x441.jpeg 700w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" \/><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"recent-posts-content\"><span class=\"vcard\" style=\"display: none;\"><span class=\"fn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/author\/autismadmin\/\" title=\"Posts by autismAdmin\" rel=\"author\">autismAdmin<\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"updated\" style=\"display:none;\">2024-08-23T11:16:59-05:00<\/span><h4 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/transition-to-adulthood\/\">Transition to Adulthood<\/a><\/h4><p class=\"meta\"><span class=\"vcard\" style=\"display: none;\"><span class=\"fn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/author\/autismadmin\/\" title=\"Posts by autismAdmin\" rel=\"author\">autismAdmin<\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"updated\" style=\"display:none;\">2024-08-23T11:16:59-05:00<\/span><span>June 9th, 2020<\/span><span class=\"fusion-inline-sep\">|<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/category\/webinar\/adults-on-the-spectrum\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Adults on the Spectrum<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/category\/webinar\/social-skills\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Social Skills<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/webinars\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Webinar<\/a><span class=\"fusion-inline-sep\">|<\/span><\/p><p>  Stephen Shore, Ed.D., recounts his experiences with autism and discusses the support systems that helped him transition to adulthood and independence. He describes the ability-based approach and uses anecdotal stories to portray its<\/p><\/div><\/article><article class=\"post fusion-column column col col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sm-4\"><div class=\"fusion-flexslider fusion-flexslider-loading flexslider flexslider-hover-type-none\"><ul class=\"slides\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/friends-and-family-what-to-say\/\" aria-label=\"Friends &#038; Family: What to say\" class=\"hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/support-400x276.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-recent-posts size-recent-posts lazyload\" alt=\"grandfather and grandkid are hugging\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27400%27%20height%3D%27276%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20400%20276%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27400%27%20height%3D%27276%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/support-400x276.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/support-400x276-200x138.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/support-400x276-300x207.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/support-400x276.jpeg 400w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" \/><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"recent-posts-content\"><span class=\"vcard\" style=\"display: none;\"><span class=\"fn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/author\/firespringint\/\" title=\"Posts by firespringInt\" rel=\"author\">firespringInt<\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"updated\" style=\"display:none;\">2019-11-14T06:03:52-05:00<\/span><h4 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/friends-and-family-what-to-say\/\">Friends &#038; Family: What to say<\/a><\/h4><p class=\"meta\"><span class=\"vcard\" style=\"display: none;\"><span class=\"fn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/author\/firespringint\/\" title=\"Posts by firespringInt\" rel=\"author\">firespringInt<\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"updated\" style=\"display:none;\">2019-11-14T06:03:52-05:00<\/span><span>April 6th, 2019<\/span><span class=\"fusion-inline-sep\">|<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a><span class=\"fusion-inline-sep\">|<\/span><\/p><p>   As a friend or a family member to a loved one who has recently received an autism diagnosis, it can be challenging to know the right way to be supportive. Here are<\/p><\/div><\/article><article class=\"post fusion-column column col col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sm-4\"><div class=\"fusion-flexslider fusion-flexslider-loading flexslider flexslider-hover-type-none\"><ul class=\"slides\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/transition-dena-gassner-msw-lmsw\/\" aria-label=\"Transition &#8211; Dena Gassner, MSW, LMSW\" class=\"hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"441\" src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Untitled-design-57-700x441.jpg\" class=\"attachment-recent-posts size-recent-posts lazyload\" alt=\"Young man standing with headphones on\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271280%27%20height%3D%27720%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201280%20720%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271280%27%20height%3D%27720%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Untitled-design-57-700x441.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Untitled-design-57-320x202.jpg 320w, https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Untitled-design-57-700x441.jpg 700w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" \/><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"recent-posts-content\"><span class=\"vcard\" style=\"display: none;\"><span class=\"fn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/author\/melanie\/\" title=\"Posts by Melanie Glock\" rel=\"author\">Melanie Glock<\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"updated\" style=\"display:none;\">2019-10-07T03:41:32-05:00<\/span><h4 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/transition-dena-gassner-msw-lmsw\/\">Transition &#8211; Dena Gassner, MSW, LMSW<\/a><\/h4><p class=\"meta\"><span class=\"vcard\" style=\"display: none;\"><span class=\"fn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/author\/melanie\/\" title=\"Posts by Melanie Glock\" rel=\"author\">Melanie Glock<\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"updated\" style=\"display:none;\">2019-10-07T03:41:32-05:00<\/span><span>May 2nd, 2013<\/span><span class=\"fusion-inline-sep\">|<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/category\/webinar\/adults-on-the-spectrum\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Adults on the Spectrum<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/webinars\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Webinar<\/a><span class=\"fusion-inline-sep\">|<\/span><\/p><p>   Published: 05\/02\/2013 \"Transition: Stacking the Deck in Your Favor,\" is presented by Dena Gassner, MSW, LMSW; she is an adult on the autism spectrum. The 40-minute-plus video provides excellent information on many<\/p><\/div><\/article><\/section><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":16237,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.6 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Neurodiversity Celebration Week - Autism Research Institute<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It&#039;s Neurodiversity Celebration Week! check out these books and webinars written and presented by some of ARI\u2019s neurodiverse collaborators.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/neurodiversity-celebration-week\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Neurodiversity Celebration Week\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It&#039;s Neurodiversity Celebration Week! check out these books and webinars written and presented by some of ARI\u2019s neurodiverse collaborators.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/neurodiversity-celebration-week\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Autism Research Institute\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/autismresearchinstitute\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-03-15T10:46:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-10T17:38:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AdobeStock_162236683-scaled.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1658\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Nicole\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ariConference\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ariConference\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Nicole\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/neurodiversity-celebration-week\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/neurodiversity-celebration-week\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Nicole\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/#\/schema\/person\/dcaaa82ba02ce66efe6b0458f79cef33\"},\"headline\":\"Neurodiversity Celebration Week\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-03-15T10:46:55+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-10T17:38:06+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/neurodiversity-celebration-week\/\"},\"wordCount\":6174,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/neurodiversity-celebration-week\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AdobeStock_162236683-scaled.jpeg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/neurodiversity-celebration-week\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/neurodiversity-celebration-week\/\",\"name\":\"Neurodiversity Celebration Week - Autism Research Institute\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/neurodiversity-celebration-week\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/neurodiversity-celebration-week\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/autism.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AdobeStock_162236683-scaled.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-03-15T10:46:55+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-10T17:38:06+00:00\",\"description\":\"It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week! 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