We are an Autism-affirming, pro-neurodiversity organization. While we understand that some Autistic issues may be best viewed through a medical-model lens, we primarily endorse a biopsychosocial model that recognizes the full complexity of the Autism phenomenon and emphasizes the full and irreducible humanity of Autistic people.
We take an inclusive approach to presenters and Autistic issues, since Autism is such a complex state of being. We emphasize a mutually humanizing, collaborative approach with a largely informal tone. Approachable, relatable conversations between all participants, including presenters, are a top priority for us.
We are more than happy to offer guidance on how to interact with an audience with a large percentage of Autistic adults, if desired. We know that not all presenters have had such an experience, and it is exactly the kind of experience we want more experts, specialists, and supporters to have! We are here to make meaningful, lasting connections, not to be standoffish against one another - hence, “Growing Stronger Together.”
The INTEGRAL Autistic Adults and Allies Conference helps to fill this major gap by inviting adults on the Autism spectrum and the other stakeholders of the Autism community to engage with each other directly, openly, and honestly. INTEGRAL is an opportunity for our Autism community to truly be a community on important issues of social & cultural factors, economic & employment factors, and identity & justice factors. Other stakeholders are vital to these discussions, and you are encouraged to attend if you are a parent of a person on the Autism spectrum, a researcher, clinician, therapist, educator, support worker, legislative advocate and/or a business leader. INTEGRAL promotes the exchange of important ideas, experiences, roles, and proposals across all of these groups in the autism community.
Everyone with a connection to Autism is encouraged to attend. We want both Autistic and non-Autistic members of the wider, general Autism community to be present, because the goal of INTEGRAL is to increase communication between these groups. INTEGRAL is meant to bring together from all parts of the Autism ecosystem - Autistic adults, non-Autistic autism professionals, non-Autistic parents, family, and friends. Autistic adults are not being heard enough by non-Autistic professionals and parents - and we won't be heard if we only meet with ourselves! If you have any connection to the Autism community, whether personally or professionally, please attend INTEGRAL - we want you there.
INTEGRAL does not require anyone to have a formal Autism diagnosis. We know that there are hurdles to receiving a diagnosis, especially for women and people of color. We are committed to serving anyone who is or may be Autistic, regardless of labels.
There are invisible barriers between groups within the Autism community, especially between adults on the spectrum and adults not on the spectrum. This has led to a persistent lack of any coherent sense of community or shared purpose by adults on the spectrum in our region. INTEGRAL seeks to address these issues by bringing adults on the spectrum and many other key players in their lives together to listen and learn from the experiences, concerns, and goals of adults on the spectrum while those adults actively learn from, and place themselves within, the larger context of these key players’ roles.
INTEGRAL emphasizes that adults on the spectrum need and deserve a model of growth and dignity, not of deficit and disorder, to best pursue their potential and be integrated members of their community. It also emphasizes that adults on the spectrum have existential concerns that are too often ignored or inadequately addressed, often in favor of training for skills that will make them more similar to other people, without exploring or promoting an understanding of purpose, legitimacy, hope, and dignity about their roles in society. INTEGRAL recognizes adults on the Autism spectrum as full people who deserve, whenever possible, to be taught how to actively pursue growth and personal goals, not to absorb the inadvertent message that they are unable to do more than passively allow others to support them.