Autistic representation

Autism Speaks has faced criticism from autistic advocates in the past for not including enough input from the community in our decision-making processes and for promoting harmful stereotypes about autism.

We have made significant efforts to consult autistic people in the development of key programs and initiatives, host roundtables and community conversations to help direct and create programming, uplift the autistic people within our own walls and highlight the stories and perspectives of autistic people across the lifespan in our content and resources.

Aside from employing autistic team members, we make it a regular practice to consult advisory boards of autistic people, their parents and family members, as well as healthcare professionals, researchers and advocates who work closely with the autistic community. We also work regularly with autistic content writers and our Champions of Change to ensure our messaging and programming reflects the diverse perspectives of the community.

We hope that by engaging closely with autistic people, telling their stories and including them in decision making at Autism Speaks, we can help correct some of the harmful stereotypes and misinformation that perpetuate the stigma, discrimination and misunderstanding of autistic people.

Here are some of the community members that are actively informing, advising and participating in conversations with Autism Speaks on topics to constantly offer better support, services and resources:

Alex Astrella
Self-Advocate
Inclusion Champion

Alyssa Chapman
Self-Advocate
Inclusion Champion

Victoria Handy
Self-Advocate
Inclusion Champion

Tonya Haynes
Self-Advocate
Inclusion Champion

Tyler Haynes
Self-Advocate
Inclusion Champion

Eileen Lamb

Eileen Lamb
Self-Advocate
Director of Social Media

Dr. Stephen Shore, Ed.D.

Dr. Stephen Shore
Self-Advocate
Board Member

Logan Slaughter
Self-Advocate
Inclusion Champion