The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

An autobiographical structure combining experiences of others on the autism spectrum, in making fulfilling and productive lives for individuals with autism the rule rather than the exception will be used to charge participants to reframe their thinking away from deficit, disorder, and deficit towards seeking abilities based on individual strengths. The session ends with generalizing focus on strengths-based thinking to the rest of humanity – and finally, to the audience themselves.

The 3 A's of Autism are:

Awareness:

The past generation has been focused on making the public aware of autism. From parents, to educators, to doctors, and other professionals unprecedented efforts such as First Signs help the public recognize autism.

Acceptance:

After recognizing autism, and possibly after a period of denial, understanding grows towards working with people with autism rather than doing things to them. Individuals on the autism spectrum are respected. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2006 established education of people on the autism spectrum and with other conditions as a human right, resulting in Bangladesh, Russia and other countries becoming more accepting of people with autism while seeking outside expertise for insights on developing inclusive strategies to increase a sense of belonging for people with autism.

Appreciation:

From respect comes valuing people with autism for whom they are and the skills they bring to society, while at the same time, recognizing that the often significant challenges people with autism face require intervention and education. Autism Works Now, The Specialists, as well as SAP and Microsoft are at the "Appreciation" stage, valuing individuals on the autism spectrum for the skills they have, rather than focusing on deficits.

By asking what the person on the autism spectrum can do rather than emphasizing what they can’t, human potential opens towards success. Since those with autism tend to have wildly varying skillsets, a strength-based orientation commonly results in the person becoming a regional, national, or international figure on that topic. Temple Grandin and Stephen Spielberg are probably the best known examples.

Stories at personal, organizational, and international perspectives focusing on the importance of person-centered planning in creating lives that are meaningful and productive for individuals at all locations on the autism spectrum. For example, a person on the autism spectrum with a strong sense of order may achieve great satisfaction in making sure library books are exactly where they need to be shelved or an individual fascinated with trains may enjoy spending her workday providing directions and scheduling information for lost patrons. Countries are at various stages the "3 A's" where I've seen pockets of near best practice in often unexpected and low resource areas.

Appreciating individuals with autism is a vital step towards making fulfilling and productive lives the rule rather than the exception.