Agenda for Day 1: Identity
(all times in AEST)
10.00am - 11.15am: Keynote Presentation
11.30am - 12.30pm: Panel Discussion
1:00pm – 2:00pm: Peer Discussion Groups
Keynote Presentation:
"Discovering Autistic identity: In our own words"
In this keynote presentation, Dr Alexandra Johnston will take you on a journey of discovering Autistic identity, in our own words. Alexandra will share her experience of working shoulder-to-shoulder with multi-marginalised Autistic individuals. By sitting with our Autistic community in deep listening, Alexandra discovered valuable insights into how we are a vital source of knowledge about Autistic identity.
Our individual Autistic identities are shaped by our political and social experience, as well as our lived experience of Autism. Inequalities foster particular identities, and the perspectives of multi-marginalised Autistic individuals can generate an interpretation of our world not previously acknowledged or understood. Autistic individuals are in a unique position to offer their perspectives on autistic identity. When elevated as raw first-person accounts our voices together powerfully illustrate both shared and diverse perspectives, representative of the complexity of our community. This is how Autistic identity is shaped – in our own words.
The Reframing Autism team would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we have the privilege to learn, work, and grow. Whilst we gather on many different parts of this Country, the RA team walk on the land of the Amangu, Awabakal, Bindjareb, Birpai, Whadjak, Wiradjuri and Yugambeh peoples.
We are committed to honouring the rich culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this Country, and the diversity and learning opportunities with which they provide us. We extend our gratitude and respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to all Elders past and present, for their wisdom, their resilience, and for helping this Country to heal.