Lindsey joined SARRC’s SAAB in early 2024 and currently serves as an Office Assistant at Christ Lutheran School. A passionate autism advocate and seasoned public speaker, she regularly shares her journey as an adult on the autism spectrum, inspiring thousands with her story.
What does Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month mean to you, and why is it important?
Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month means to me the opportunity to ensure individuals like me are integrated into every aspect of our life- including in our communities, workplaces, schools and colleges, Each year when I prepare in the middle of March for April, I look forward to promoting Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month through giving speeches and presentations, writing blogs, and promoting my experiences with autism through social media.
If you think about why this month is incredibly important, the statistical number of those who are diagnosed is climbing. Approximately 1 in 36 people have autism, so it’s likely you know a friend, family member, or co-worker with autism. For the 1 in 36 individuals with autism receiving that diagnosis can be life-changing, considering the need for services and therapies and the dreaded service gap. Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month changes this picture by educating those who know and interact with individuals with autism to become better allies and advocates.
What’s one common misconception about autism that you’d like to challenge?
One of the biggest misconceptions that I work to educate people about through my presentations is that autism is not the same in everyone; rather, it’s a spectrum. The quote by Stephen Shore that reads “If you know person with autism, you know only person with autism” remains true with this misconception. One person with autism might be higher functioning and need less support, while another person with autism might require more support. Autism is a beautiful spectrum, and each person with autism is uniquely abled.
If someone is new to autism advocacy, what’s one piece of advice you’d give them?
One piece of advice I would give to someone new to autism advocacy and education is to be prepared to be in awe of what people with autism can do. It’s truly best to not doubt what people with autism can do rather to watch them achieve their dreams and goals. One day, an individual with autism could be the next president of the United States, the next Governor of Arizona, or the next President and CEO of SARRC.
What’s one thing you wish parents, families, and allies of autistic individuals better understood?
One thing that I wish parents, families, and allies of autistic individuals is the importance of accepting those with autism by providing undivided love and acceptance. Life can be rough for those with autism when there are barriers everywhere that make it hard for them to achieve their goals or dreams. Sometimes, a person with autism might just need a 5-minute conversation (via however they communicate) with someone they love who accepts them.
How can our community move beyond just “awareness” and take real action to support autistic individuals?
This is a question that I am passionate about, so I would like to provide a few answers.
When I think about how our community can move “awareness” and take real action to support autistic individuals.
- Provide inclusive environments: Individuals with autism deserve to be provided with inclusive environments at school. Within my current role at Christ Lutheran School, I see our students in our Connections program receive instruction with aides (from Gentry Pediatric Behavioral Services) and school staff who are all trained in how to help them succeed.
- Provide supportive (individualized) services that engage the client: Individuals with autism deserve a chance to receive effective and engaging services that will help them thrive and succeed. Every individual with autism (child, teen, or adult) has the potential to succeed. Tailoring services to each person might be a lifelong investment, but it’s worthwhile when you see the results of your clients thriving because of your investment in their lives.
- Create sensory-friendly environments: For those with autism attending typical events like concerts or sporting events can be overwhelming because of the crowds and loud noises that come from these events like fans cheering, artists performing songs and fans clapping so having sensory friendly areas or items that help with sensory overload like noise cancelling headphones or foam earplugs can make it so each person can enjoy the activity.
What’s something about your autism that makes you proud?
As an adult with autism, I am not just surviving – I am thriving. I am proudest of the fact that I live independently and work three days a week at Christ Lutheran School. The journey to get to this point wasn’t easy. I had to fight the good fight to get the services I needed and advocate for myself at work through requesting accommodation that I need like a task list and the use of the app WhatsApp to communicate directly with my supervisors within our school’s Connections Adult Work Program, which is part of our Connections program for students with autism.
The proudest part of my life is having friendships with many types of friends. I recently had 11 of my best friends celebrate my birthday with me at Grimaldi’s in Old Town Scottsdale back in February. We enjoyed yummy pizza and salads as well as a bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes.
What’s one way autism has shaped your perspective or approach to life?
Autism has helped me realize that I am uniquely gifted and amazingly awesome. Autism has shaped my perspective through allowing me to advocate for those with autism through giving speeches. My passion for public speaking started when I was a sophomore at Chaparral High School, and one of my teachers encouraged me to share my story with over 2,100 people in attendance. I haven’t looked back since I started speaking. I don’t really get stage fright, rather, I love speaking in front of new audiences about my journey with autism and how it doesn’t define me. I have spoken to various audiences, including at local autism conferences, SARRC events, and at schools.
As a member of SARRC’s Self-Advocate Advisory Board, what’s one initiative or goal that matters most to you?
When I first joined the Self-Advocate Advisory Board (SAAB), I had my hesitations, but I knew that it would be an amazing opportunity to grow as a person personally and professionally. It’s challenging to pick only one initiative or goal that excites me the most because I believe in the work SARRC is doing to create a more friendly place for those with autism. I am drawn to the panel discussions we have with SARRC staff members about how SAAB is there to support them. The first panel discussion we had last year was titled “For Us and With Us”, which educated members of the SARRC team through a professional development session about how the SAAB is around to help them out.
What are some meaningful ways people can promote autism acceptance year-round, not just in April?
In my opinion and schedule, Autism Awareness Month doesn’t stop in April. My brain is always thinking of ways we can continue to promote autism awareness and acceptance beyond April. Autism Awareness can be promoted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
To extend Autism Awareness year-round, I’d encourage people to do the following:
- Encourage inclusion at school: Individuals with autism long for opportunities to be included in their schools, not excluded. True inclusion comes from educating everyone involved- the rest of the school population, the teachers, and the administration team. Imagine if individuals with autism had the opportunity to attend prom, homecoming, participate in the school play, or participate in general education classes. This is all possible if inclusion is practiced.
- Hire people with autism: While I am fortunate to work three days a week, many people with autism face barriers finding and securing competitive integrated employment. Those with autism deserve chances to find, secure, and retain competitive integrated employment without having to worry about facing discrimination if they disclose their diagnosis and, in return, request reasonable accommodation. Inclusive hiring starts with employers being trained by community organizations like SARRC through receiving “Autism in the Workplace” training geared towards how to work with those with autism. I’d encourage any local business to be open to hiring people with autism and receiving the training necessary.
- Recognize the communication styles: Individuals with autism often communicate in black and white communication or, as I like to call it, “no fluff” communication. Black and white communication makes it easier to understand clearly what the person on the other end wants (teacher, boss, or family member) clearly. Realizing that black and white communication is part of life for those with autism is essential. It’s the only way I communicate, so I’ve talked about it in presentations I give to new employers. Too much fluff or marshmallow consistency makes it hard to understand what people want.
What’s one strength or unique perspective you’ve gained through your experience as an autistic individual?
One thing I have learned through my experiences of an individual who is living with autism is that it is okay to be different. When I was first diagnosed, I struggled to comprehend the fact I was diagnosed with autism because I wanted to fit in. I struggled to make friends with people my age, deal with changes to my schedule, and understand back and white thinking. Sometimes, I struggle with mild “high functioning” autism moments where I get overwhelmed and can become highly emotional or easily frustrated. I wish individuals would normalize these moments.
