Disclosure and advocacy are interrelated.
We focus on autism research and advocacy, creating awareness on the health issues. We know how and when to approach our audience to negotiate desired matters for the purpose of achieving fulfilment, mutual understanding and productivity.
During advocacy and disclosure, we provide the necessary information about autism, especially if the issues raised require more explanation
At Autism Research and Advocacy, we verbalize the needs of autism patients, including existing research on the same. We also verbalize and help our audience understand the necessary action steps required to meet the identified needs.
For instance, an autism patient with lighting issues at work understands the essence of disclosure and advocacy in making mental notes to speak to their supervisor about changing the lights. They’ll also understand the importance of making such a request for light modification.
We also help our audience understand how much disclosure is appropriate and necessary during self-advocacy. As an example, the patient with lighting issues could simply state that they have sensitive eyes, without the need to give more explanation.
We’re reasonable when providing information on autism research and advocacy. For instance, an individual with aural sensitivities may not request for lower volume at a movie theater with other viewers.
However, the need to accommodate their sensitivity to loud sounds can be solved using headphones or earplugs.
We also help our audience learn self-advocacy. Many neurotypical persons combine practice, observation, and self-reflection to learn what to disclose and how to advocate for self.
We understand that most autism patients need direct instruction on disclosure and self-advocacy due to difficulties they experience in understanding non-verbal cues. We provide research on the same and promote advocacy on the issue.
Autism patients can develop disclosure and self-advocacy skills in various, graduated procedures. For instance, during the initial phases, we work with advocate-in-training to help teach the necessary skills. We also model good advocacy skills in our audience.