{"id":12619,"date":"2023-04-03T16:38:49","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T11:08:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/?page_id=12619"},"modified":"2023-05-12T22:15:38","modified_gmt":"2023-05-12T16:45:38","slug":"self-advocacy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/self-advocacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-Advocacy"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"12619\" class=\"elementor elementor-12619\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d8b582a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d8b582a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d88de72\" data-id=\"d88de72\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc91f9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bc91f9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.12.1 - 02-04-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Self-Advocacy<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-870c41f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"870c41f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6c749eb\" data-id=\"6c749eb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4eb018 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d4eb018\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.12.1 - 02-04-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"712\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ex-2-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-12650\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ex-2-1.png 712w, https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ex-2-1-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 712px) 100vw, 712px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7da5392 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7da5392\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8224688\" data-id=\"8224688\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7eef71 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d7eef71\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding Self-Advocacy<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac1c34e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ac1c34e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.12.1 - 02-04-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Many autistic people who receive a diagnosis are sent on their way with little or no community connections or links to support services. Many autistic people are also peer or self-diagnosed, this being equally valid; equitable or perhaps greater supports will be required as there may not be many, if any, external supports in place.<\/p><p>As autistic\u00a0identity\u00a0is often\u00a0developed\u00a0through\u00a0community\u00a0discussion\u00a0and\u00a0interaction\u00a0it\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0challenging for autistic people to\u00a0know, or discover, \u2018what it means to\u00a0be autistic.\u2019 Being able to advocate for yourself and your needs, when you have difficulty in identifying those needs within\u00a0yourself, can present a barrier to engaging with mainstream services. Therefore, peer-connectivity can go a long way to help autistic individuals understand how to better advocate for themselves \u2013 particularly in situations where they are unable to have support people with them. Equitable and flexible\u00a0supports; external non-autistic people or staff,\u00a0internal\u00a0autistic\u00a0staff,\u00a0or\u00a0peers,\u00a0family\/wh\u0101nau\u00a0and\u00a0professionals\u00a0should\u00a0be\u00a0employed\u00a0as\u00a0and\u00a0where required to help impart self-advocacy skills.<\/p><div><div>A large percentage of the time spent during study will not be with other neurodivergent (ND) learners or ND tutors and staff who \u2018get it\u2019 and have a great or even limited knowledge of being autistic. This is<\/div><div>why being able to advocate for oneself and one\u2019s needs is crucial. It can be very tiring to have to explain diagnosis and meaning such as, \u2018what does being autistic mean to you?\u2019 repeatedly. Patience and care must be taken when requesting this information from a student.<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8e02065 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8e02065\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-294ec81\" data-id=\"294ec81\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13d785d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"13d785d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding Self-Advocacy<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7823c5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7823c5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Learners in our survey felt that they faced challenges with self-advocacy in many aspects of their tertiary experience, including disclosing their diagnosis, accessing support from disability and student learning services, communicating their needs, and having these needs understood, in addition to accessing mental health support.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-34e36df elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"34e36df\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0e24628\" data-id=\"0e24628\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b33225c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b33225c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\">Disclosure<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d4631c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8d4631c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><div>Some autistic people are well-connected to their peer groups and\/or organisational supports and have a level of understanding of their diagnosis. However, many learners are undiagnosed, or are diagnosed and not receiving support from peers or organisations.<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div>Autistic people may be uncomfortable with sharing their diagnosis\/es, so utmost care and privacy is important to ensure the best outcomes.<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div>As one parent put it: \u201cMy son was not comfortable approaching support services unfortunately and as a result some things were much harder than needed.\u201d<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div>Learners may be comfortable meeting with Disability Support Services (DSS) but not disclosing anything to their tutors. It is important to note that disclosure should be initiated by the student themselves, rather than by a parent, for example, as external disclosure could be seen as a breach of trust. It may be helpful to work with the student alongside a parent or caregiver, or autistic peer, permission granted.<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div>It is important for DSS to be aware of what supports and community\/peer groups are available in your area, as the best supports for autistic people are often autistic-led supports.<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div>It may also be helpful for DSS to indicate whether they hold facility and resources to support learners who are not formally diagnosed as well. Many autistic people are unable to access formal diagnoses due to a variety of economic and well-being related factors. Undiagnosed autistics are equally deserving of support.<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div><i>\u201cI perceive that there could have been better support available if my son had been willing and able to access it. Identifying as autistic is not easy and there is fear about how that will be received. It would be great for inclusivity to be known.\u201d<\/i><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f65adec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f65adec\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4994a14\" data-id=\"4994a14\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9522c65 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9522c65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\">Finding and Receiving Support from Disability or Student Learning Services<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f76588 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9f76588\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n<div>Family have felt in the past that learning support services were either not available, or, where they were available, learners did not know about them, did not have enough support from services or services were difficult to access.<\/div>\n<div>&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div>One comment for our recent survey reads: \u201cNo idea what support might be available. We have assumed that autistic people are probably unwelcome and are the ones the University wants to screen out with their interview admissions.\u201d<\/div>\n<div>&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div>It is important from the get-go to note in accessible external literature that all persons with disabilities and neurological differences are welcome; particularly using the term \u2018autistic\u2019 as this will resonate more clearly with autistic potential learners.<\/div>\n<div>&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div>If an autistic person identifies themself to DSS or Student Learning Services, a meeting may need to be called to discuss the individual\u2019s needs. This first meeting is critically important. One must be aware of sensory-related issues such as lighting, temperature, sounds, smells, etc. For example, can the meeting be done in a quiet, low-lit, room? How busy is the access to this space? Can an autistic or neurodivergent support person be present?<\/div>\n<div>&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>If the first meeting goes well, and a study support plan is implemented, it may be useful to have regularly scheduled catchups to review progress and supports. It will not be fully possible to identify up-front what needs require accommodation, as the student will need time in the course to figure these things out. As many autistic people function better with routines, any catch-up sessions should be well-planned in advance, and preferably at a regular time each month or two \u2013 depending on the level of support required, i.e., same time, same day, etc.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d27144f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d27144f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-62abbf4\" data-id=\"62abbf4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3794cb0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3794cb0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\">Communicating Needs and Having Individual Support Needs Understood<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db4c2b1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"db4c2b1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><div>Autistic learners may have difficulty translating their experiences and needs into neurotypical language. This could be frustrating for the student and challenging for the support services. If the student permits, having a neurodivergent support person or a parent\/caregiver present may help in interpreting these needs during an initial needs assessment and during any further catch-up sessions.<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div>One parent wrote: \u201cInformation needs to be passed on between tutors. Yes, I know there is a privacy act but if as a parent you have to contact every tutor it becomes very challenging.\u201d<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-06db816 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"06db816\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42a2e75\" data-id=\"42a2e75\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77706c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"77706c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\">Flexible, Easily Accessible Support Available for Mental Health Needs<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d899d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9d899d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><p><strong>Some<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>useful<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>questions<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>to<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>ask:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Does the campus offer counselling and other health-related supports as physical health can impact significantlyon\u00a0mental\u00a0health?\u00a0One\u00a0parent\u00a0wrote:\u00a0\u201cWhen\u00a0it became\u00a0clear\u00a0that\u00a0he\u00a0needed\u00a0support\u00a0for\u00a0his mental health, the support wasn\u2019t there.\u201d<\/li><li>Whatorganic\/peer\u00a0and\u00a0organisational\u00a0supports\u00a0are\u00a0available\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0community?<\/li><li>Isthere\u00a0an\u00a0on-campus\u00a0peer\u00a0group\u00a0for\u00a0neurodivergent\u00a0learners?\u00a0One\u00a0student\u00a0mentioned\u00a0that\u00a0they\u00a0would like \u201cAccess to communication with other disabled\/autistic learners\u201d?<\/li><\/ul><p>Answering these questions can benefit all learners, although it might particularly benefit neurodivergent learners. In this way, a roadmap of internal and external supports can be offered to incoming learners who may benefit from these extra supports. Tying-in with International or Queer\/Rainbow groups and community\u00a0networks\u00a0where\u00a0applicable\u00a0is\u00a0also\u00a0useful\u00a0as\u00a0the\u00a0needs\u00a0of\u00a0these\u00a0often-intersecting\u00a0groups\u00a0can be similar in nature and support can be shared.<\/p><p>Training is available for better understanding around autistic matters such as that offered by Altogether Autism. It is suggested that tutors and support services staff access this training and any other training available on mental health and well-being.<\/p><p>One survey respondent wrote that they would like to see, \u201cUnderstanding of autism, neurodiversity generally and anxiety, social implications. Set up of support systems that are easy to access, information, support groups?\u201d<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5f4a666 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5f4a666\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ede2a89\" data-id=\"ede2a89\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f05a19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7f05a19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\">You Can Support Your Learners by:<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92de6c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"92de6c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><div><div><strong>Making sure learners have access to the full range of supports available<\/strong>. This includes student- tutors, dictation\/note-takers, and reader\/writers, etc., alongside regular scheduled access to disability support staff.<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div><div><strong>Making recorded content available.<\/strong> It is important to note that autistic learners may work their best if they can tailor content reception to their own internal schedules and energy levels. Whilst this is not<\/div><div>always practical, any opportunity to do so could help the student with relieving stresses and\/or anxieties relating to timeframes, etc.<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div><div><strong>Making sure you are openly supportive and approachable.<\/strong> Ensure that your learners know the best way to approach you and make sure they have information on how to approach Student support services.<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5e3347e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5e3347e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-369f24b\" data-id=\"369f24b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a53815 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8a53815\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Final Words<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1dbc813 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1dbc813\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A greater understanding from you as educators goes a long way to ensuring a student feels welcome, valued,\u00a0and\u00a0confident\u00a0to\u00a0ask\u00a0for\u00a0help.\u00a0Not\u00a0all\u00a0autistic\u00a0folk\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0formally\u00a0diagnosed,\u00a0and\u00a0they\u00a0deserve\u00a0as much support and care as those who have a formal diagnosis.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Self-Advocacy Understanding Self-Advocacy Many autistic people who receive a diagnosis are sent on their way with little or no community connections or links to support services. Many autistic people are also peer or self-diagnosed, this being equally valid; equitable or perhaps greater supports will be required as there may not be many, if any, external [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12619"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12619"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12619\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16132,"href":"https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12619\/revisions\/16132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aacvirast.com\/accNew\/accvirast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12619"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}