Listening to Individuals with ASD, ID, and their Families: Advocating Effectively

William Fitzgerald, and his mother Rina, joined us yesterday. William is starting his advocacy career as a young man with Down Syndrome. William runs a non-profit, William's Walk- https://www.williamswalk.org/ Each year, William's Walk benefits local families in need during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.  A food drive is done to collect non-perishable food items, especially items for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.  This occurs during the month immediately preceding Thanksgiving.  The food collected is walked in a symbolic 1 mile walk to be donated on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through Loaves and Fishes and Second Harvest Food Bank in Charlotte , North Carolina.  The food is then shared with families in crisis during this time of year that can sometimes be very difficult on families in this situation. William is also a college student and Eagle Scout.

Tim Boykin is an autism self-advocate, author, singer, and influencer. With almost 40K followers on TikTok, Tim uses his platform to promote autism acceptance and bring attention to racial inequality. He has written a book, Timster's World: So what makes you so special? https://www.amazon.com/Timsters-World-What-Makes-Special/dp/1438985061 … is a graduating senior in college, and he also has a song out "Believe" on Spotify.

Robin Roscigno is the owner of AuTeach: Autism Education and Outreach; she is a public speaker, researcher and educator who helps parents and educators develop neurodiversity-informed practices to support people on the autism spectrum. Robin is presenting a TedTalk https://www.tedxmilehigh.com/uncharted-speakers/ For parents, a child’s diagnosis of Autism can be both overwhelming & a relief. Now what? How do you create the best life for your neurodiverse child? Autism educator Robin Roscigno explains how the “Autism Industrial Complex” is taking advantage of parents’ fears & what we can do instead. Robin Roscigno is a PhD Candidate in Education at the Rutgers School of Education who specializes in the history of Autism intervention in the U.S. Her experience as a late-diagnosed Autistic woman, parent of an Autistic child, and educator with 10+ years of experience inspired AuTeach, her community outreach project about respectful, neurodiversity-informed parenting & teaching. AuTeach has reached 1M+ viewers on TikTok and has helped shape a new narrative around Autism. She enjoys movie nights with her husband, daughter, and miniature poodle, Blingo. Also, Robin is the NJDADD vice president.