Day 1: What I learnt; What surprised me ; What I'm curious about by ADA SHORT COURSES https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg For example: It surprised me that some people on the autism spectrum prefer to refer to themselves as autistic. en-us 2022-05-05 06:00:03 UTC 2025-09-28 18:35:17 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2195089599 Discouraged to use abbreviation (ASD)]]> 2022-05-23 02:46:22 UTC https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2195089599 I learned a little more about diagnosis; I am curious about readings into how the visual domain can improve life for an autistic person. https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2195195739 Please visit my Vivid project called Crowded Cadmans - https://www.vividsydney.com/event/light/crowded-cadmans]]> 2022-05-23 04:19:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2195195739 It was interesting that acronyms are to be avoided. I also found the article about person-first language versus identity-first language interesting and thought-provoking. https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2195245309 2022-05-23 05:01:23 UTC https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2195245309 I learned from colleagues valuable strategies being used in schools to foster acceptance, compassion and inclusiveness with students with disability. Thank you for the great work that you are doing. https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2195490067 2022-05-23 08:05:05 UTC https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2195490067 https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2195585551 I learned about sixth sense which is social sense.]]> 2022-05-23 09:21:53 UTC https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2195585551 I have learnt that there is still a relative misunderstanding of autistic experiences and perspectives from many so-called experts in autism, even from those who wish us well. (Note that this should not be interpreted as any criticism of those running this course, noting that I am not sure whether they are neurotypical or not and that it is not my business to know, but noting also that they appear very conscientious). I have learnt from some of the material and discussions that underlying and typically subconscious and unwitting ableist biases are still common in this space. We still need more experts and commentators in this field who themselves are autistic. This is not to say that neurotypical experts and commentators should not be welcomed in this space, but I feel the continued application of the expression "nothing about us without us" to autistic research and autistic literature is strong evidence in itself of the extent to which there is still an under-representation of people with a lived experience of autism in these fields (as if there was no under-representation there would be no need to use this expression). To even things up somewhat, I would say that just two benefits of the continued involvement of neurotypical experts and commentators in this space (alongside neurodivergent experts and commentators) are (1) that neurotypical experts and commentators can give their perspective (from the vantage point of neurotypicality) on autism, which can be helpful alongside neurodivergent experts' and commentators' perspectives on autism (but noting that autistic perspectives on neurotypicality should likewise be welcomed) and (2) that neurodivergent people can sometimes (in my experience) be particularly at risk of assuming that all neurodivergent people experience everything as they do, whereas we know that, in reality, there is a huge variety of neurodivergent experiences. Lastly, I would note that there is a huge range of neurotypical experiences as well, and in fact the notion of "neurotypicality" itself may be a myth (i.e. there may not actually be any "neurotypical" individuals). However, the term "neurotypical" is simply used here as a counterpoint to neurodivergence, specifically neurodivergence in the form of autism. https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2197328326 2022-05-24 08:24:25 UTC https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2197328326 It was interesting to hear about various experiences and I had no idea "autistic" was a preferred term. I am curious to learn about what strategies are used in various settings to support students and read the evidence-based research to support this. https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2199238603 2022-05-25 11:22:51 UTC https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2199238603 I was surprised about the negative reaction to use of Acronyms. As well as being a teacher my son is Autistic (Level 2) and I've never given it a second thought until now! https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2205138213 2022-05-30 23:27:32 UTC https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2205138213 https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2211146447 Using identity-first language and avoiding using acronyms. ]]> 2022-06-05 01:55:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ADAshortcourses/pmov85ttm4z4tgmg/wish/2211146447