Self-Advocacy in Autism

Self-advocacy is the ability to understand and communicate one's own needs, preferences, and rights, and to advocate for them effectively. For autistic people, self-advocacy includes: identifying one's own difficulties and strengths, communicating accommodation needs, recognizing and responding to discrimination, and taking part in decisions about one's own treatment and education.

Building self-advocacy is a central part of supporting autistic teens and adults — especially through life transitions (school to college/work, parental care to independence). Autistic-led organizations are important resources, such as the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and similar organizations around the world.

Important: "Nothing about us without us" — the motto of the autistic self-advocacy movement — reflects the importance of including autistic voices in research, policy, and the design of interventions.