Citation
Savard, L. Kelly, B., Pham, C., Lodestone, Z., Shor, M., Smith, A. (2024). Addressing accessibility barriers: how to effectively amplify autistic perspectives across disciplines. Poster presented at the Zeigler Research Forum, Burlington, VT.
Summary:
Autistic youth and adults want professionals to improve on:
- Autism Awareness
- Accessibility
- Building Trust Transparency and
- Clear Expectations
Autistic* youth and adults face barriers to inclusion in healthcare and education ● DEI advocacy does not adequately consider autistic perspectives ● Change is best achieved by teaching actionable knowledge and skills [1] ● Goal: Learn to amplify autistic voices for practice change.
*We are using identity-first language in place of person-first language, as this is the preference of our team members
Qualitative Analysis
- Healthcare Transition project: focus groups and interviews with autistic youth and adults.
- What do autistic people want professionals to know?
- Panel Series
- Developed panel presentations from identified themes
- Pre-panel surveys
- Post-panel surveys
- What will you change in your practice?
- What could be improved?
- Panelists: 6 autistic adults and 1 non-autistic parent of a minimally speaking autistic young adult
Access to profession-specific resources to support autistic people ● Make panel materials available before event ● More in-person discussion requested ● Long-term follow up regarding tangible practice change needed [1]
References: [1] Ioerger , M. et al (2019). Interventions to teach medical students about disability. Am J of PM&R , 98(7), 577 599.
“It was really amazing that we heard from more than just one person. Because then you can really get a sense of how everyone’s different…”
