INTEGRAL’s mission is to close the gap between the many unmet needs of Autistic adults and the very limited research on the needs, strengths, goals, and values of Autistic adults. Our approach to addressing this problem is to bring Autistic adults (who have the life experience) together in the same place with non-Autistic parents and professionals (who have the influence and resources) in order to learn from each other and figure out how to collaborate better.
1. People on the Autism spectrum are complete humans who deserve complete human dignity.
2. People on the Autism spectrum deserve the same rights, fair opportunity, and dignity as people in general.
3. All people on the Autism spectrum are assumed to be capable of personal growth unless proven otherwise. Personal growth is always good, and personal growth can be whatever is meaningful to the individual.
4. When Autism treatments are reported to be harmful by people on the Autism spectrum, the people reporting this should be listened to and taken seriously.
5. Autism in and of itself, so far as we know, does not prevent a person from being healthy or happy.
6. Autism is extremely diverse, and diversity does not have to be division.
7. We all get to hold our ground, or negotiate, or change our positions as we see fit, and we should do so with facts, logic, fairness, compassion, and dignity as our core principles.
8. We should all communicate clearly about our needs, personal boundaries, and emotional states. If you feel attacked or dismissed or misunderstood, please say so. Please be open to explanations and interpretations from other people about how they understand the situation. You are not required to agree with them, but they deserve a chance to try to repair their interaction with you.