I learned early on about networking, connecting autistics and so much more when I met Chen Gershuni.  He modeled what is possible and how to network and connect autistics in a beautiful way.  I can't wait for you to learn some of these same things for your advocate journey from Chen.  Be sure to check out his segment in the Shine A Light Autistic Advocate Panel video now available on YouTube for replay.  https://youtu.be/DC6RMg3RtDA

And if you want to learn more about the history of the Autistic Community, Chen is the go to guy because he was there and part of these early organizations and events.  Check out Season 2 Episode 3 of the Mind Your Autistic Brain Podcast to hear Chen's history of the Autistic Community  https://anchor.fm/socialautie/episodes/S2-E3---History-of-the-Autistic-Community-with-Chen-Gershuni-epk2sf

Meet Chen…

Social Autie: What is your specialty or focus area of Autism Advocacy?

Chen:  My focus area of Autism Advocacy is autistic-run organizations and events. I'm a member of Autscape's program and publicity sub-committees, a founding member of ACI - The Autistic Community of Israel, and a co-organizer of the annual Autistic Pride Day event in Israel.

At Autscape, an autistic-run non-profit organization which produces a yearly autistic conference, I spread the organizations announcements to the wider autistic community, as well as review potential contents for each event. In 2020-2021, when the conference was held online due to Covid-19, I also helped with some technical aspects of running the event.

At the Autistic Community of Israel, I also spread the organizations announcements, as well as participate in the inner voting processes which allow the organization to operate.

Every year, towards Autistic Pride Day (18th June), I search for a park to hold the event in. I then co-prepare the program for the event, and spread announcements about it.

Social Autie: Why did you begin advocating for yourself and others?  What makes this personal to you and Your Big Why? 

Chen:  I started advocating for myself and others because I felt that autistics deserve much more than what is currently offered to us. We deserve more awareness, more considerations and more opportunities in the job market.

Social Autie: What is/are the top tip(s) or insight(s) you have discovered for advocating for a) others and b) yourself?

Chen:  I discovered that advocating for the autistic community is harder than I thought it would be, partly because the community is so varied and different people want different things. Some say that trying to organize autistics to work together is like trying to herd cats. I'm not sure it's as bad as that, but yes - we are a tribe of extreme individualists, so making us all work together is a great challenge! :-)

Connect with Chen Gershuni on Twitter @ChenGershuni