How Can Insights from Autistic Doctors, Including Autistic Psychiatrists, Contribute to Improving Understanding of Autism and Outcomes for Autistic People?
Autistic doctors have unique insights to offer on autistic experience, autistic wellbeing and healthcare.
Including a mixture of research data and personal experience, this presentation explores the joys and challenges of being openly autistic in an ableist medical profession, the barriers autistic people experience accessing healthcare and one potential solution developed by autistic doctors – the Autistic SPACE framework.
Insights from autistic psychiatrists shine a light on what it means to be autistic, the challenge of recognizing and sharing one’s autistic identity, and will point to the pivotal role of shame in navigating this experience. Being an openly autistic doctor brings a tension between appearing “autistic enough” to be taken seriously as autistic and “professional enough” to be taken seriously as a doctor, yet embracing this challenge allows us to leverage our insider perspectives for the benefit of our community and help ensure that autistic kids can grow up confidently autistic rather than steeped in shame.
Content warning: This presentation covers topics including mental health, stigma and shame which can be emotionally difficult for some viewers.
About Our Partner
World Autism Organisation
World Autism Organisation (WAO) is an international nonprofit organization established with a mission to improve the quality of life for people with autism and their families worldwide. It is recognized as the first international organization dedicated to autism.
Learn more at https://worldautismorganisation.com/
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