ASAN AUNZ Instagram Feed - Autistic Self Advocacy Network Australia and New Zealand

🌟🫶🙌 Thank you to everyone who has complet

🌟🫶🙌 Thank you to everyone who has completed the ASAN AUNZ 2024/25 Self Advocacy Survey! 🫶🙌🌟

There is still time to fill out our quick survey and have your say. Your feedback is vital and helps us:

✅ Tailor our resources to meet the needs of our community – you!
✅ Secure future grants to keep improving and expanding our resources.

💬🔗 Every response helps! Click on the survey link: https://lnkd.in/gRUBXBF9

We value your input as we work to centre the voices of Autistic adults and empower our community with self-advocacy skills.

Nothing about us without us... and, stronger together!

#AutisticSelfAdvocacy #AutisticAdvocacy #Autistic #Autism #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #DisabilityRights #SelfAdvocacy #SystemicAdvocacy #ActuallyAutistic #ASANAUNZ

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🌟ASAN AUNZ is proud to be supporting Neurodiver

🌟ASAN AUNZ is proud to be supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2025🌟
Neurodiversity Celebration Week runs from 17 – 23 March 2025.

This week is all about challenging misconceptions, breaking down barriers, and celebrating the incredible strengths and talents of neurodivergent individuals.

Together, let’s create a more inclusive world that understands and champions neurodiversity in all its forms.

During Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we encourage you to join in and celebrate the strengths and talents of the neurodivergent community by sharing your support, events, activities, and lived experience across social media.

💻 Visit ASAN AUNZ online, where you can become a member, and find our amazing Self Advocacy Toolkit and App: https://www.asan-aunz.org/

📆 Attend an online Neurodiversity Celebration Week event: https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/events

🧠 Learn more about neurodiversity: https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/resource-hub

#NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NeurodiversityWeek #NCW #ThisIsND #AutisticAdvocacy #autism #neurodivergent #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #DisabilityRights #SystemicAdvocacy #ActuallyAutistic #ASANAUNZ #AutisticSelfAdvocacy

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📢Have your say on open consultations that impac

📢Have your say on open consultations that impact Autistic people🗣️

Your voice matters. Right now, there are important consultations open where you can share your thoughts and experiences and help shape policies that impact Autistic people.

📌 What: Restrictive Practices Framework – NSW Government
⏳ When: Consultation closes 28 February 2025
💻📱How: Online submission form, email, phone, or mail
🔍🔗 Find out more: https://www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/restrictive-practices-framework

📌 What: Suicide Prevention Plan - Attorney-General's Department (AGD), South Australia
⏳ When: Consultation closes 28 February 2025
💻📱How: Online survey or email
🔍🔗 Find out more: https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/agd-suicide-prevention-plan-2025-2028

📌 What: First Nations Disability Forum – Department of Social Services (DSS)
⏳ When: Consultation closes 25 February 2025
💻 📨📱How: Online form, email, post, or phone
🔍🔗 Find out more: https://engage.dss.gov.au/first-nations-disability-forum/

📌 What: Better City Streets – ACT Government
⏳ When: Consultation closes 26 February 2025
💻📱How: Online survey
🔍🔗 Find out more: https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/Better-City-Streets

🫶🏽 Every submission counts—don’t miss your chance to have your say! 🕒

Consultations are a key way to make sure Autistic voices are heard in decision-making. By sharing your insights, you can push for changes that make policies, programs, and services more accessible and inclusive for Autistic people.

#AutisticAdvocacy #HaveYourSay #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #DisabilityRights #SystemicAdvocacy #ActuallyAutistic #ASANAUNZ #AutisticSelfAdvocacy #Consultation #Autism #Autistic #Neurodiversity
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🙏🏽🌈🤟🏻 Thank you to everyone who has

🙏🏽🌈🤟🏻 Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback and recommendations on the new ASAN AUNZ Self Advocacy App!
Your input has helped us resolve issues and improve the app—Version 1.3 is now live! 🎉 Update today to experience the latest improvements.

📢 We still need your feedback!
Tried the updated app? Fill out our quick survey and let us know your thoughts. Your feedback is not only helping us refine the app—it’s also vital for securing future grants to keep improving and expanding our resources.

💬 Already provided feedback via email? You can still complete the survey! Every response helps.

🔗 Survey link: https://forms.office.com/r/Gahph5Gj8E

📱 About the Self-Advocacy App
Created by Autistic people, for Autistic people, this app helps you prepare to self advocate in an emergency. Store your emergency contacts and information about your support needs, and more—then share this information easily via QR code or in advance with trusted contacts.

🫶🏼✨ This resource was built in community, for community. We thank everyone who has contributed to this amazing resource!

📱Download the app now:
🔗 https://www.asan-aunz.org/self-advocacy-app

#ActuallyAutistic #AutisticAdvocacy #SelfAdvocacySkills #ASANAUNZ #SelfAdvocacyApp #AppLaunch #AutisticRights #DisabilityRights #HumanRights #Autism #Autistic

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🫶🏼🌈 ASAN AUNZ stands in strong support of

🫶🏼🌈 ASAN AUNZ stands in strong support of the statement released by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network in the United States in response to the Trump administration’s recent “Make America Healthy Again” executive order. The order misrepresents autism, promotes harmful misinformation, and seeks to revive debunked science that has historically been used to undermine Autistic people’s rights.

Autism is not a disease to be prevented or cure but a natural part of human diversity. The executive order describes autism as a “threat” and “epidemic,” disregarding the reality that rising diagnosis rates reflect long-overdue improvements in access to healthcare, changes in diagnostic criteria, and greater recognition of autism in historically underdiagnosed groups, such as women, people of colour, and gender-diverse individuals. Increased diagnosis is a positive step, allowing more Autistic people to access the supports they need.

ASAN AUNZ Chair, Cheryl Koch, affirms: “we join with ASAN USA in condemning the targeting of autism and other disabilities in the American President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission. The ideas communicated by the President are harmful and will have grave consequences. We ask every Australian and New Zealander that knows and cares about an Autistic person or other person with disability, to amplify our voices, to protect our rights and our people from these attacks.”

We strongly reject any efforts to investigate so-called “causes” of autism that ignore decades of scientific research and instead promote conspiracy theories, including the now-debunked link between vaccines and autism. Such rhetoric is dangerous—not only does it undermine public health, but it also fuels stigma against Autistic people and leads to harmful “cure” treatments that violate our rights and dignity.

Autistic people deserve respect, support, and full inclusion in society—not policies that frame our existence as a problem to be solved. We urge policymakers to centre Autistic voices and focus on addressing the real issues impacting our community. #ASAN #autism #autistic

📅 LAST CHANCE TO APPLY ⭐ Friendly reminder t

🗣️ Have Your Say on Disability Support Servic

🗣️ Have Your Say on Disability Support Services in New Zealand!

The next community consultation by the Disability Support Services Taskforce is now open!

❓ What is this consultation about?

The Government is consulting the community on ways to make disability support services fairer, more consistent, transparent, and sustainable. This will help shape future improvements and respond to recommendations from the Independent Review of Disability Support Services in New Zealand. This consultation focuses on:

✅ Clearer assessment & allocation processes
✅ Options for changes to flexible funding

🤝 Who can get involved:

Disabled people and their whānau who receive essential disability support after an assessment from a Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC) organisation, or an Enabling Good Lives (EGL) site.

Your feedback will help shape future decisions and ensure the system better supports our community.

🔍 How can I get involved?

There are several ways to participate:

📍 In-person workshops
💻 Online briefing workshops
📝 Written, video, or audio submissions
📊 Short survey

📅 When is this happening?

From now until close of consultation on 24 March 2025

🔗 Where can I find out more?

Learn more and get involved: https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/consultation

#AutisticAdvocacy #Disability #Consultation #ASANAUNZ #Autistic #Autism #AutisticSelfAdvocacy #DSSNZ
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🌟🎤👏 Celebrating the systemic advocacy wor

🌟🎤👏 Celebrating the systemic advocacy work of ASAN AUNZ Board Member Danny Oakenfull

✅ Professional leadership in healthcare - Danny brings to ASAN AUNZ over 25 years of leadership experience in community and residential care. As a Registered Nurse and Regional Manager for a large healthcare provider, he oversees operations for 9 residential homes and supports 850 older Australians. Danny’s expertise spans community education, self-advocacy networks for older Australians, and presentations at industry summits on topics like customer service and integrated technologies.

💡 Driving workplace accommodations for neurodivergence - Since his autism diagnosis in February 2022, Danny has become a passionate advocate for workplace accommodations and increasing understanding of autism. In his current role, he has supported the introduction of quiet rooms and a wellness space, creating a supportive and inclusive environment that helps staff manage anxiety and self-regulation.

🤝 Commitment to advocacy and positive ageing - Danny has served on several committees and working groups, including the Rural NSW Dementia Advocacy Network, and contributed to submissions to industry bodies such as the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. His passion lies in improving the quality of life for older Australians and advocating for systems that support positive ageing for Autistic individuals.

🧭 Personal insights - As a late-diagnosed Autistic person, Danny’s personal experiences navigating complex systems fuel his determination to give back to the Autistic community.

👏🌏🫶 Each of our Board Members volunteer their time - we are so proud to have wonderful community members like Danny on our Board who contribute so much to ASAN AUNZ and our community!

#AutisticAdvocacy #AutisticBoardMember #ASANAUNZ #Autistic #Autism Image description in alt text.

In response to the Australian Government’s recen

In response to the Australian Government’s recent rushed rollout of significant changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), ASAN AUNZ joins over 250 disability organisations and providers in supporting a campaign statement from Every Australian Counts, urging the Government to honour its commitment to genuinely co-design reforms to protect the safety and wellbeing of NDIS participants.

Key concerns include:
🔴 Rushed implementation: Lack of promised co-design and testing risks harm to participants.
🔴 Unjust eligibility reassessments: Inadequate notice and unclear communication are leaving participants without critical supports.

ASAN AUNZ’s Deputy Chair, Dave Murphy, confirmed:

“We share the deep concerns outlined in the statement regarding the Government’s rushed approach to implementing significant changes to the NDIS. We stand in solidarity with all supporting organisations and individuals in advocating for a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to NDIS reforms. The safety and wellbeing of NDIS participants must be the foremost priority.”

In a recent development on February 3, 2025, Minister Rishworth announced an extension for eligibility reassessments, giving participants 90 days instead of 28 to provide additional information (1). This is a positive step, and we welcome the Government's commitment to addressing community concerns.

We will continue to call for:
✅ Extended timeframes: A phased approach for meaningful consultation and testing.
✅ Real co-design: Genuine collaboration with the disability community.
✅ Prioritised safety and wellbeing: Ensure no one is left without critical supports.

Let’s work together to create fair, sustainable reforms that protect NDIS participants.

#EveryAustralianCounts #NDISReforms #DisabilityRights #Inclusion #autism #AutisticSelfAdvocacy #ASANAUNZ

Reference.
(1) Every Australian Counts campaign media statement - https://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/in-the-media/take-the-time-for-codesign-254-organisations-demand-more-time-to-codesign-ndis-reforms/

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🌟 Australia’s first National Autism Strategy

🌟 Australia’s first National Autism Strategy 🌟

ASAN AUNZ is excited to share that Australia's first National Autism Strategy and 2025-26 Action Plan have been released—a significant step forward for the rights, inclusion, and wellbeing of Autistic people in Australia! 👏🌈

Key outcomes highlighted:
✅ Targeted awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and promote social connections.
✅ Epidemiological study to determine the true prevalence of autism in Australia – ensuring services are informed by data.
✅ $19.9M investment over four years for diverse peer support programs.
✅ Enhanced education and employment opportunities to ensure meaningful participation in society.
✅ Greater awareness and responsiveness within schools and workplaces to create environments where Autistic people can thrive.
✅ Improved access to respectful and timely assessments and diagnosis.
✅ Delivery of neurodiversity-affirming services.
✅ Robust governance including Autistic-led reference group and sustained community involvement.

At ASAN AUNZ, we’re encouraged by the focus on peer support, education, employment, and neurodiversity-affirming services. However, we urge continued consultation with Autistic people to ensure these plans lead to meaningful and measurable outcomes.

#NationalAutismStrategy #AutisticInclusion #Neurodiversity #ASANAUNZ

Find out more: https://www.dss.gov.au/national-autism-strategy

Autistic Self Advocacy - Our Resources - Your Expe

ASAN AUNZ - New Autistic Self Advocacy App Launch!

Autistic Self Advocacy – Emergency Contacts –

Autistic Self Advocacy – Emergency Contacts 🦺

Autistic Self Advocacy – Emergency Contacts
🦺🚑📞

🔴 Advocating for yourself in an emergency can be particularly challenging for Autistic people.

❔📱 👤 In times of emergency, having trusted contacts in place can help you advocate for yourself and feel supported when you need it most.

Emergency contacts are people who can answer questions about you when you aren’t able to answer for yourself. This could be due to a medical emergency, a physical situation, having an autistic meltdown, or another reason.

✅ There are lots of benefits to setting up emergency contacts before you need them.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Personalised: Your emergency contacts are familiar with your needs
💬 Communication: Your emergency contacts can relay important information to first responders or healthcare providers when you can’t
🧠 Reduce anxiety: Knowing you have emergency contacts in place can help ease stress and anxiety
🌍 Empowered: With emergency contacts in place you have more control over your who makes decisions, helping your voice be heard in critical situations, even if you can’t communicate at the time
📝 Preparedness: Having a plan in place means you’re ready for emergencies, it can make situations less overwhelming

Most importantly, when it’s needed you want first responders and healthcare professionals to be able to quickly identify the right information about you and reach your emergency contacts.

✅📱 ASAN AUNZ has partnered with Enterprise Monkey to launch our new ASAN AUNZ Self Advocacy App that can help you set up and use your emergency contacts quickly and easily. Stay tuned for its release later this week.

#AutisticAdvocacy #SelfAdvocacy #HealthSupports #ASANAUNZSelfAdvocacyApp #EmergencySupports
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What is Coming for ASAN AUNZ? - A New Self Advocac

Autistic Self Advocacy – Sending Emails - Your E

Autistic Self Advocacy – Sending Emails
📧💫

🗣️📝⌨️Email can be a great way to communicate with people, especially service providers and professionals.

Benefits of sending an email instead of making a phone call or talking face to face are⌚ You can write an email at any time
⌛ You can take you time to write it
🧾 There is a written record of what you said
🪙 It is fast and cheap
👯 An email can be sent to one person or to many people

When you write an email message, think about:
👀 Who you want to see your message
📰 Using a subject that is short, clear and includes the topic
👋🏽 Including an appropriate greeting and sign off
❓ Explaining why you are writing the email
🗓️ Providing relevant facts and describe events
❣️ How you have been impacted and how you feel
⏭️ What you want to happen next
💽 Saving your email as a draft to review later before sending – especially if you are not feeling calm.
📖 Asking a trusted friend to review your email

🛠️🧰ASAN AUNZ’s Self Advocacy Toolkit has more information to help you send an email.

🔁💪🏾Each person's experience with sending emails will be different. You might like to practice sending emails to a friend, family member or support worker to help you feel more confident writing emails to other people.

#ActuallyAutistic #AutisticAdvocacy #SelfAdvocacy #ASANAUNZSelfAdvocacyToolkit

🔗Reference: 2024 ASAN AUNZ Self Advocacy Toolkit
https://www.asan-aunz.org/post-toolkit-2/
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Systemic Advocacy - ASAN AUNZ Board Contribution -

Systemic Advocacy - ASAN AUNZ Board Contribution - Joanne Dacombe

👏🌈 Celebrating the systemic advocacy work of ASAN AUNZ Board Member Joanne Dacombe

✅ Joanne has just completed two years as President of the Disabled Persons Assembly NZ (DPA), a pan disability organisation that is run by and for disabled people. DPA works in collaboration with others to achieve equality and inclusion for all in Aotearoa.

🤝🏼 Joanne currently serves on the Autism New Zealand Board of Trustees, where she shares her lived experience and advocates as part of disability-led organisations, while also recognising the role many whānau have, particularly in advocating for their children. Autism New Zealand is a partner with Australia’s Autism CRC and Joanne has observed its growth in understanding and support for Autistic people.

📢 🌏🌈Joanne is also a Board Member of My Life, My Voice, a disability-led organisation that brings together disabled people from across Aotearoa to help each other live their best life through meaningful peer support and Kaitūhono (connector) services.

🔍 👀 💡 Recently, she helped launch, and is the current Chair of, VisAble, a new disability-led organisation in New Zealand. VisAble’s mission is to make violence against tāngata and whānau whaikaha Māori (disabled Māori and families), tagata sa’ilimalo and their āiga-tele (Pasifika disabled peoples and families), d/Deaf, neurodivergent, and disabled people, visible, while enabling a more disability-responsive family violence and sexual violence system.

👏🌎🫶 Each of our Board Members volunteer their time - we are so proud to have wonderful community members like Joanne on our Board who contribute so much to ASAN AUNZ & our community!

🎤 Pictured is Joanne speaking at a rally on the need for accessibility legislation.

#AutisticAdvocacy #AutisticBoardMember #ASANAUNZ
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Celebrating Human Rights Day 2024 💙📅🌍To

Autistic young people need a nuanced approach to s

Autistic young people need a nuanced approach to social media

🔴 The Australian Government’s ban to restrict social media access for people under 16, which will come into effect in 12 months, risks harming disabled youth (1).

📣🤝ASAN AUNZ endorses Children and Young People with Disability’s (CYDA) submission (1) to the government on the Social Media Ban and shares CYDA’s concerns that the legislation to restrict social media access for people under 16 risks seriously harming Australia’s disabled young people, including Autistics.

🔍 Research highlights a harsh reality: Autistic people are three to five times more likely to die by suicide, often due to social rejection, stigma, and discrimination, according to a 2024 systematic review (2) of nearly 1500 international research papers. These rates are even higher in Autistic young people. There is a clear and urgent need for intervention and prevention strategies.

👫💻📱Social connection has been found to be the strongest protective factor for depression, according to a 2020 study (3) of more than 100 factors. Yet Autistic young people often face a sharp drop in community participation during the transition from adolescence to adulthood (4). For many young Autistic people, social media and the internet are a lifeline – a space to find connection, acceptance, and community (1).

Without a nuanced approach, a blanket ban puts the lives of Autistic young people at risk. Let’s advocate for solutions that 💞 protect and 💪 empower, not 🚫isolate and harm vulnerable young people.

References:
1. https://cyda.org.au/cydas-submission-on-the-online-safety-amendment-social-media-minimum-age-bill-2024/
2. https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2024/09/suicide-rate-higher-people-autism
3. https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/study-of-more-than-100-modifiable-factors-for-depression-identifies-social-connection-as-the-strongest-protective-factor
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10027384

#AutisticRights #DisabilityRights #HumanRights
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Features of ASAN AUNZ’s Self Advocacy Toolkit
🛠️🧰
You can use the Toolkit to:
🤔 Understand your Rights
📝 Build your self advocacy skills
📑Prepare your Self Advocacy Plan
🔍 Find additional resources
➕ And much more…

Use a toolkit that works for you. You can:
🛜 View the toolkit online
🖨️ Download a printable document
📲 Download a document to use on your devices, even when you’re not online

🔗Head to our website to pick your toolkit:
https://www.asan-aunz.org/post-toolkit-2/

💖💞What are some of your favourite features of the Toolkit?

#AutisticRights #DisabilityRights #HumanRights #AutisticAdvocacy #SelfAdvocacy #ASANAUNZSelfAdvocacyToolkit
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ASAN AUNZ meets with South Australia’s Assistant

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabil

Collaborate to Advocate – Eliminate Restrictive

Collaborate to Advocate – Eliminate Restrictive Practices
💬👥
Restrictive Practices are any practice or intervention that has the effect of restricting the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability.

The National Disability Research Partnership, together with Inclusion Australia and People with Disability Australia are holding an event to discuss restrictive practices.

💬❔They will talk about what research is needed to uphold the rights and safety of people with disability, explore the lifelong impacts of restrictive practices, and the evidence gaps that need to be addressed.

This event is for people with disability, family members, researchers, service providers, and government representatives.

📣Speakers include:
> Clare Gibellini, NDRP Board Chair
> Jane Britt, Disability Policy and Engagement Consultant
> The Hon. Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services
> Professor Alastair McEwin AM
> Poppy Mullins, lived experience advocate
> Professor Linda Steele
> Rod Carracher, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Practice Quality Division at NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
> Catherine McAlpine, CEO Inclusion Australia and Co-Chair of National Disability Data Asset
> Robyn Shannon, Deputy Secretary for Disability and Carers at Department of Social Services
> Megan Spindler-Smith, Deputy CEO of People with Disability Australia
> Professor Sally Robinson

📅Date: Thursday 5 December 2024 1-4pm AEDT (with 2 breaks).
🫶🏼Venue: Online Zoom event with Auslan and Captions.
This event is free.

🔗Head to the below for further details and to register to attend:
https://events.humanitix.com/ndrp-evidence-to-action-december2024

⚠️Content warning: This event’s subject matter is sensitive and may be triggering for some people. NDRP has advised that a Safety and Wellbeing Officer will be available during and after the event for attendees and participants who may experience distress and need further support, and details of support services will be provided to all attendees.

#AutisticRights #DisabilityRights #DisabilityResearch #EvidenceToAction #AutisticAdvocacy #DisabilityAdvocacy #CommunityAdvocacy
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ASAN AUNZ Resource - New Autistic Self Advocacy To

Autistic Self Advocacy – Using “I” Statement

Autistic Self Advocacy - Using “I” statements

Autistic Self Advocacy - Using “I” statements
💬📝👤

💪🏿⚒️Using “I” statements can tell someone how you feel, without accusing the other person. They can be a powerful tool for autistic self-advocacy.

⁉️🎭Telling people how you feel can be difficult for Autistic people. For those of us who are used to masking, it can be a challenge to share your feelings openly. We may not even be able to name our feelings because we haven’t put them into words before. If we do say how we feel, we are often accused of being too blunt or insensitive.

🌈Sharing how you feel is important to help people understand how you are affected by things. It can give people a reason to make changes.

When you want to use an “I” statement, you could think about:
📌What emotion you are feeling? You could feel more than one. Try using an ‘emotions wheel’ to name your emotions.
📌What is causing you to feel that way? Focus on the event, behaviour or action – not the person. Many people become defensive when they feel they are being blamed for something, so if you want to be heard, it is best to avoid making accusations.
📌What outcome would you like? Think about what reasonable changes or actions you would like.

When you want to use an “I” statement, you can say:
📌I feel … (say what emotion you feel)
📌when … (say what is causing you to feel that way)
📌and I would like … (say what outcome you would like)

For example: I feel stressed when I hear that noise. I would like you to stop making that noise or do it somewhere else.

🎯Each person's experience with using “I” statements will be different. You might like to practice with a friend, family member or support working so you feel more confident sharing your feelings when you are self-advocating.

#ActuallyAutistic #AutisticAdvocacy #SelfAdvocacySkills #ToolkitLaunch #CommunityContribution #ByAutisticsForAutistics

🔗Reference: 2024 ASAN AUNZ Self Advocacy Toolkit

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What is Coming for ASAN AUNZ? - A New Self Advocac

Autistic Self Advocacy - Have your say on Foundati

Autistic Self Advocacy - Accommodations in Tertia