Autism Acceptance Month 2022

For the Duke Center of Autism, every month is Autism Acceptance Month. Some highlights our center during the worldwide celebration in April 2022 include:

• Rep. Jessica Benham(D-PA), one of only a handful of legislators who self-disclose as autistic, headlined the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development Autism Acceptance Month program in April 2022. She shared her personal story, explaining how her experiences influence her legislative efforts, especially her work to secure equitable access to high-quality healthcare and public education for autistic people. After her presentation, “Overcoming Stigma, Not Autism: Why Being Autistic Makes Me a Good Legislator,” Duke University students enjoyed a small-group question and answer session with Rep. Benham, at which she shared advice on building self-confidence and self-advocacy skills in a world she said is “built for neurotypical people.”
   
• The center’s “What’s 1 Thing?” Autism Acceptance Month social media campaign sought input from our followers on ways to “make the world more inclusive for neurodiverse people,” “make the workplace more inclusive,” and “help parents of neurodiverse children.” Responses came from all over the world offering practical and life wisdom such as “Educate by example” and “Begin the discussion at home. Accepting children become inclusive adults.”
   
• Throughout the year, the center responds to requests from news media, and Autism Acceptance Month is no exception. Duke Center for Autism team member Raghav Swaminathan shined in the NC Spectrum News story, “Duke research shows benefits of neurodiversity in the workforce,” highlighting the importance of inclusion in the workplace and explaining the value and dignity that comes from work.