Broome Library presents our Autism Acceptance Month lecture with Patrick Dwyer. 

The politics of the autism world can be intensely controversial.  Much of this controversy revolves around the neurodiversity movement, a political movement advocating for the acceptance of neurodivergent people (such as autistic people), for their rights, and for their inclusion in society.  This transformative movement has attracted considerable support, but also opposition.  Unfortunately, different people often have different ideas about what the neurodiversity movement actually is, which confuses debate and exacerbates divisions in the autism world.  Drawing on a survey of autism stakeholders’ opinions, Patrick will describe the neurodiversity movement and its implications for autism interventions and supports across the full constellation of autism, including autistic people with high support needs.  Patrick will highlight practical opportunities for autistic people to be supported within a neurodiversity-informed approach. 

Patrick Dwyer (he/him) is an autistic autism researcher and PhD candidate in the Neurocognitive Development Lab at UC Davis.  Patrick primarily studies autistic sensory processing, attention, and hyper-focus, but he is also interested in other topics, such as the neurodiversity movement, community preferences regarding autism interventions and supports, and inclusion and thriving of autistic people in postsecondary education.  Patrick is the co-chair of the Autistic Researchers Committee at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) and he co-organizes the annual UC Davis Neurodiversity Summits.  Patrick facilitates a peer support community for neurodivergent students, UC Davis’ Aggie Neurodiversity Community.  Finally, he has a blog, http://www.autisticscholar.com/. 

Book giveaway: 10 students will win copies of Autistic Community and the Neurodiversity Movement, edited by Steven K. Kapp 

The University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Disability Accommodations and Support Services at (805) 437-3331 or accommodations@csuci.edu as soon as possible, but no later than 7 business days prior to the event.