Durham County

April Heritage & Cultural Highlight: Autism Awareness Month  

About

Since 1972, during Autism Awareness Month we highlight “the need for public awareness to promote acceptance, celebrate the differences, and be more inclusive towards autistic individuals around us” (National Today). Approximately 1 in 35 children in the US have Autism and an increasing number of adults are receiving diagnoses. While officially called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), individuals with Autism might choose to describe themselves as Autistic, neurodiverse, Autists, “aspies”, or even “neuro-spicy”. Join us in learning how we can be a more inclusive and welcoming work environment and community for our neurodiverse teammates and residents.

Equitable Well-Being Recommended Activities

Cassandra, a neuro-spicy member of the Equitable Well-Being team, is joined by Dawn Dudley, Senior Public Information Specialist of DCo who has two children with Autism, and by Gavin Shelton, an Autistic Librarian in our Main Library. Additionally, Cassandra spoke with staff from All Neurotypes to learn more about resources and support for our local neurodiverse community. Click on the links below to listen in!

Join us in-person, Friday, May 31^st at 6:30pm to hear from Temple Grandin an animal rights and autism rights activist at the Durham County Main Library. Temple, a Time 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2010, is the subject of the Emmy and Golden Globe winning biographical film Temple Grandin.

Apex Occupational Therapy has begun offering a free parent support group for parents of neurodivergent kids, once a month at Main Library. Registration and more information can be found here.

Connecting

Whether you want to learn more about Autism, investigate the diagnostic process, find tools and community, or make your workplace more neurodivergent friendly, check out these organizations.

National:

Local:

Learning

To grow your understanding, check out the prevalence of Autism at the National Autism Data Center, and read Neurotribes by Steve Silberman and Autistic Community and the Neurodiversity Movement by Steven Kapp. Our Podcast participants also discussed the impact that the books Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity, and All the Weight of Our Dreams: On Living Racialized Autism had on their Autism journeys. Challenge your assumptions about Autism and read the blog and books of Tania Marshall about autism specifically in girls and women, and check out these resources at University of Cambridge, the National Autistic Society, and Spectrum News to learn more about Autism and gender-fluidity. Like all communities, the Autistic community is diverse!

Doing

There are myriad ways for you to support the Autistic community, starting by listening and believing their stories. Check out Morgan Harper Nichols Black, Autistic, female artist and creative. Watch the Netflix Special Hannah Gadsby: Douglas, or listen to her on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast #82: Hannah Gadsby: How to Communicate Better to learn about her experience as a queer female with Autism. Check out Julia, the first Autistic puppet on Sesame Street. Listen to podcasts specifically created by Autists on a variety of topics. Check out Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity Stories, or look in our April edition of the DCo Life Magazine to hear neurodiverse stories. 

Consider grabbing your next cup at 321 Coffee or Coffee Shop – B3 Coffee, purchasing flowers or food at Blawesome and Part & Parcel, or expand your culinary skills through Food Vibez Way, all of which support Autistic individuals.

Fellow Autists can check out the Autism Support and Advocacy Center, special programs through Durham Parks & Rec, summer camps, play groups and training at All Neurotypes, and filter Durham County Library events by sensory stimulation level and those with sensory-friendly options. The Main Library even has a special Multi Sensory Environment on the 4^th floor.

Conversation Starters

Here are some questions to start conversations with others about Autism Awareness Month. For leaders, try building in time in supervisions or team meetings to prompt staff conversations about Autism Awareness Month. Options could include:

• Did you learn anything new about Autism this month?
• Have you made any new personal or professional connections this month that can help you support neurodivergent individuals?
• Did you learn anything new about Autism or the experience of Autistic people this month?
• How did you participate in Autism Awareness Month?
• How can things you learned or did for Autism Awareness Month impact how you do your job?