Autistic Adults and Neurotypical Parents of Autistic Children: The Need to Work Together

There is a significant divide between autistic advocates and parents of autistic children. Parents may feel attacked for their lack of understanding, and autistic adults who offer insight and guidance may also be met with rejection. Professionals face their own challenges in supporting autistic people. Limited by information that often excludes autistic perspectives, professionals may inadvertently contribute to this divide.  Meghan Ashburn, a mother of two autistic boys of color, and Jules Edwards, an Ojibwe autistic mother, were no strangers to this tension. This book explores the rift between these communities and encourages them to work towards a common goal. Providing context to dividing issues, the authors use their own experiences to illustrate where they’ve messed up, where they’ve got things right, and what they’ve learned along the way.