Understanding Autism

The amount of information available online about autism is often overwhelming to sift and filter through. We aim to provide support with that process by curating content that is enriching, empowering, inspiring, engaging and meaningful.

At Autism Empowerment, one of our key goals is to provide meaningful content in a variety of formats so that individuals of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to be enriched and empowered. Most of the regular content Autism Empowerment creates and curates is housed on our sister website at www.SpectrumLife.org or presented in our Autism Empowerment Podcast. This includes over 400 articles from our publication Spectrum Life Magazine as well as content from bloggers, our Autism Empowerment Podcast and Zoom Autism Magazine. We are an ongoing work in progress!

As a nonprofit organization, we rely on public support, however we do not consider ourselves in competition with other organizations. Our desire is to collaborate with allies and be a positive contributor within the autism community and our world-at-large.

• For purposes of navigating the Autism Empowerment website and understanding more about autism, unless otherwise specified, we use “autism” to represent all autism spectrum differences including Autism and Asperger syndrome.  Please note that Asperger syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD/NOS) were placed under the umbrella diagnosis of Autism in May 2013 when the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual updated from the DSM IV to the DSM-5. Not all clinicians use the DSM-5 and some will still diagnose Asperger syndrome.

 

• Throughout our website, we often make reference to educational and inspirational autism materials that have been created by experts in the autism field.  We provide links to a wide range of resources and try to present information in a variety of learning styles so that there is meaningful content for everyone. Just as autism is a spectrum disorder and no two individuals on the spectrum are the same, such is true for the individuals coming to our website seeking resources and support.

 

• When it comes to support strategies and acceptance, we believe strongly in utilizing the expertise and life experience of individuals on the autism spectrum. Many people who are autistic prefer using identity-first language versus people-first language (autistic versus person with autism) when talking about autism.

 

• That is not true for everyone and it is common in medical and educational fields of service to see people-first language used exclusively. We believe that is the right of every autistic individual to choose what language they want to use to identify with and that their choice be respected and valued. It is not uncommon for choices to change over time from people-first to identity-first, particularly as people become more engaged and enriched with autistic and disability culture.

 

• Throughout this website, our sister sites and our educational programs such as, Spectrum Life Magazine, Zoom Autism Magazine and the Autism Empowerment Podcast, you will see and hear autism referred from both identity-first and people-first perspectives. We do this to respect the entire autism spectrum. 

Disclaimer: Autism Empowerment provides this information for reference as a free service to help you expand your knowledge. It is not a replacement to consulting trained professionals.  It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis or to recommend or reject a specific form of treatment. Please perform due diligence as you explore potential therapies, coping strategies or interventions. Thank you!