With an Autistic host and all Autistic guests, our podcast aims to amplify Autistic voices from a diverse range of backgrounds, with Australian and international Autistic advocates sharing their stories and perspectives from lived experience. You will also find the episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other favourite apps.
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In this first episode Ginny Grant begins by introducing the show and providing context about herself and Reframing Autism. Ginny then introduces Dr Melanie Heyworth, who is an Australian Autistic woman, a self- and systemic advocate for the Autistic community, Reframing Autism’s founder and CEO, a PhD candidate, and proud mother and educator to her three Autistic children.
In their conversation, Melanie reflects on her late identification as Autistic, and how that led her to a growing interest in advocacy. Melanie also discusses the evolution of Reframing Autism from a small passion project to the busy not-for-profit organisation it has become. She talks about her hopes for the future, that there will be no need to ‘reframe Autism’, that Autism will have been ‘reframed’, and that Autistic culture and identity are recognised as valuable contributors to the richness of humanity. Melanie also summarises her current research into Autistic-led models of care to support families to understand their children’s neurology. And finally, she discusses the challenges of balancing work, study, and parenthood, and how her hyperfocus and passion for learning spur her on.
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 Birpai, Awabakal, Wattamattagal, Whadjak, Amangu, Bunurong and Kaurna Yarta 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, present, and emerging, for their wisdom, their resilience, and for helping this Country to heal.
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