Accessing public spaces, having ease of access to public transportation, museums, businesses, health care and so much more is where the work of today’s advocate spotlight, Emily Elsworth, is focused.  Emily has been making an impact, seeing changes happen from her presentations to decision makers in these areas and it is changing, FOR THE BETTER, how we are able to more easily access these spaces, but it is also helping everyone no matter their neurotype or disability. 

Meet Emily…

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

Emily:  My focus area of Autism Advocacy is around changing the narrative of what it means to be autistic, addressing the many myths that I have heard being discussed as fact and discussing reasonable adjustments that can be used to support.

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

Emily:I began advocating for myself and others just under a year and a half ago when I received my autism diagnosis and realised that all the information I had been told about autism wasn’t accurate and I saw the vast lack of support out there and wanted to do this. This is really personal to me as this is what I have been fighting for myself for so many years even before my diagnosis and I want to stop this happening to others.

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

Emily:  The insights I have discovered is to make sure to practice self-care as some of the things you are advocating for could be upsetting or triggering.  For me, it is important to have a support plan in place for yourself. I have also discovered that you will come across people who really disagree with what you are saying and the impact of their reaction means you need to be prepared to take a break from advocating.

Connect with Emily over on the GRAM @EmilyAutism