Fitting with the 2023 ºÚÁÏÍø TEACCH Conference’s theme of Diversity in Autism, Engagement Core Co-Leads Teal Benevides and Stephen Shore presented “Authentic Engagement: Strategies to Include and Support Neurodiverse Individuals in Research and Practice.” The hour-long presentation included information on neurodiversity and what it entails, a thought-provoking section on power and privilege, and a reminder to presume competence and use a strengths-based perspective when working with neurodiverse groups.
During the presentation, Benevides and Shore asked for five volunteers to participate in an on-stage demonstration. With one person acting as a “good listener” and the other four providing a variety of sensory input, the demonstration was meant to illustrate just 30 seconds of what an autistic individual may be experiencing every day of their life. After the presentation, the crowd enthusiastically expressed how meaningful and engaging the example was.
Referencing their work with AASET, Benevides and Shore also shared the decision-making process that is currently used for the AASET-SP project. Building on the theme of inclusion, they urged researchers and practitioners to include autistic voices in their study decisions and in decisions about autistic individuals’ clinical care.
After their captivating presentation, the Engagement Core Co-Leads reunited with the ºÚÁÏÍø research team for lunch together. Members of the ºÚÁÏÍø research teams for both the AASET-SP study and the newer AASET-MHTP study attended the lunch.
