INTEGRAL History
The INTEGRAL Adult Autism Conference, first launched in 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin, is a community-focused event dedicated to empowering autistic adults, promoting inclusion, and addressing real-world challenges through education, advocacy, and collaboration. Over the years, the conference has brought together autistic self-advocates, professionals, educators, researchers, attorneys, mental health experts, and community leaders to explore topics affecting autistic adults across all areas of life.
The inaugural 2019 conference featured presentations on sexuality, employment, relationships, identity, LGBTQ+ experiences, women on the spectrum, and neurodiverse partnerships. Speakers emphasized dignity, individuality, inclusion, and creating supportive communities for autistic adults.
In 2020, the conference shifted focus to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic adults. Sessions explored employment struggles, mental health, financial hardship, medical concerns, legal rights, social justice, support services, and changing cultural norms. Experts from universities, healthcare, disability advocacy, law, and community organizations shared practical strategies and resources for navigating unprecedented challenges.
The 2021 conference highlighted advocacy, relationships, executive functioning, and employment. Presenters discussed disability as possibility, autistic identity, job interview success, friendship, and support strategies, while interactive roundtables encouraged community discussion and shared problem-solving.
In 2022, themes centered on housing rights, dignity, self-advocacy, and lessons learned from the pandemic. Presenters explored disability accommodations, independent living, and how autistic adults can advocate for systemic change while maintaining personal wellbeing and dignity.
The 2023 conference focused heavily on collaboration, workplace inclusion, and mental health. Sessions examined shared problem-solving, workplace conflict and accommodations, and suicide prevention for autistic people, encouraging both autistic adults and allies to engage in meaningful dialogue about systemic change.
In 2024, the conference explored employment, advocacy, and aging within the autistic community. Topics included workplace disclosure and accommodations, autistic-led advocacy and organization, and the long-term effects of aging on autistic adults’ health and quality of life.
The 2025 conference expanded further into activism, community-building, and political advocacy. Presenters emphasized authentic autistic voices, disability justice, collaborative leadership, and grassroots organizing. Sessions encouraged attendees to recognize themselves as advocates capable of creating meaningful social change while building stronger, more inclusive communities.
Across all years, the INTEGRAL Conference has consistently promoted autistic leadership, dignity, community participation, mental health awareness, employment inclusion, social justice, and the idea that autistic adults should be central voices in shaping policies, supports, and societal understanding.
