Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcripts.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now integrated into web browsers, social media, mobile devices, with companies like Microsoft, Adobe, and Meta creating their own applications. For Autistic Adults, AI offers benefits such as enhanced communication tools, personalized learning experiences, and assistive technologies that can improve independence. However, there are also risks to consider, including over-reliance on AI, privacy concerns, potential biases in information, and the lack of human interaction. Kathryn Parsons, who is an experienced Autistic leader in digital marketing, will emphasize that Autistics can effectively utilize AI when it compliments human supports and helps you use it wisely and safely. Join us for this explanatory show.
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Dyslexic Accessible Transcript: Autistics Using AI
Spanish Accessible Transcript: Autismo usando IA
German Accessible Transcript: Autisten nutzen KI
French Accessible Transcript: Les autistes utilisant l'IA
Chinese Simplified Accessible Transcript: 使用人工智能治疗自闭症
Transcript
Autistics Using AI
October 6th, 2024
Episode Preview
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now integrated into web browsers, social media, mobile devices, with companies like Microsoft, Adobe, and Meta creating their own applications. For Autistic Adults, AI offers benefits such as enhanced communication tools, personalized learning experiences, and assistive technologies that can improve independence. However, there are also risks to consider, including over-reliance on AI, privacy concerns, potential biases in information, and the lack of human interaction. Kathryn Parsons, who is an experienced Autistic leader in digital marketing, will emphasize that Autistics can effectively utilize AI when it compliments human supports and helps you use it wisely and safely. Join us for this explanatory show.
♫ Background Music with Introduction to Today’s Autistic Moment ♫
Segment 1
Welcome everyone to Today’s Autistic Moment: A Podcast for Autistic Adults by an Autistic Adult. My name is Philip King-Lowe. I am the owner, producer, and host; and I am an Autistic Adult. Thank you so very much for listening.
Today’s Autistic Moment is a member of The Autistic Podcasters Network.
Explore, Engage, Empower: Today’s Autistic Moment-The Podcast for Intersectional Autistic Adult Communities
This first segment of Today’s Autistic Moment is sponsored by The Autism Society of Minnesota, known as AuSM throughout Minnesota’s Autism community. As Minnesota’s First Autism Resource for more than 50 years, AuSM serves the whole state, the whole spectrum, for the whole life. Visit AuSM online at ausm.org. ♫ ♫
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After this first commercial break Kathryn Parsons will be here to talk about Autistics Using AI.
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Commercial Break I
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Segment 2
Philip King-Lowe
Kathryn Parsons, welcome to Today's Autistic Moment. It is my pleasure to have you on and I'm glad we're talking about this particular topic today. So welcome.
Kathryn Parsons
Thank you for having me.
Philip King-Lowe
You're welcome. Kathryn. All right, today, we're going to talk about a topic that I have wanted to cover this year, and that is Autistics using AI, Autistics using Artificial Intelligence. I've had a few conversations, both on and off the show, one that is suggestive that many Autistics have contributed to what Artificial Intelligence is, and I don't question that. But I also have some questions regarding how safe Artificial Intelligence is for Autistics, especially with the information that's being fed into and what is coming from it. And we know that there are so many AI programs all designed by, you know, whomever has designed them that and so they contain whatever information that's been fed into them. Where can we begin to explore this topic of Autistics using AI and how it can affect our Intersectional Autistic Adult communities. Go ahead.
Kathryn Parsons
Yeah, I think one of the things that because of how the data is fed in, AI often amplifies stereotypes and amplifies preexisting stigmas, or, you know, thoughts that people may have. And a lot of this bias is kind of baked in, because the people are making choices with where they're getting their data from and how they're feeding it in. So, if you have an AI program that has been taught Autism from the medical model perspective, you might get very different answers than if you look at it from a Neurodiversity perspective. It just depends on who's fed that data in and how they've worked with the model. Because AI models aren't static. They evolve. They evolve based on not only interactions on the macro level, like all the data being fed in, but also on the individual level, like when you get a paid version of Chat GPT, for example, over time, it learns your style, and it will start to edit what it gives you based on what it's learned about you and what you like. So, you'll find that in the beginning, AI might feel very clunky. We find difficult to use, regardless of your neurotype, and then over time, you might find it a lot easier to communicate with, because it starts to adapt to your style.
Philip King-Lowe
I have found AI helpful in many ways. Sometimes when I'm writing a programming description or sometimes if I'm working on my script, and I know I am wordy to a fault, no question. And so, I will feed it into an AI, and I will simply say, reword this paragraph. You know, shorten it. Or even it can also be used, for example, like, you know, we know how Twitter X, you have to have only so many words there before you can use it, because going over that amount of those words, they won't actually produce it unless you pay a fee. And so, I have found it very helpful in situations like that, or to find synonyms.
Kathryn Parsons
I use a lot of it to find, like, base code, or I will use it to do things like research. You know, get me, get me some different information. And I prefer to use AI tools that cite their sources, so that I can go click on the links and read the articles that they're citing from. And then the other thing that I like to use it for is when I am struggling with wording some of the more social aspects, conversational aspects of emails in the office. So, for example, if I want to write an out of office message that is warm and friendly, I will let the AI know that that's what I'm looking to do and get a little help to sort of bridge for my coworkers who are of a different neurotype, in a conversational tone that that they respond to.
Philip King-Lowe
Let's talk about the ways in which Artificial Intelligence programs is often biased or produces biased information regarding Autistic people and Autism.
Kathryn Parsons
No, that sounds good. There were some studies done where they looked at 148 different images using popular programs that use AI to create imagery and found that when you asked the AI tool to produce an Autistic Adult, they would typically show a white male. And then I've used some other programs, like Adobe Firefly, where, because of the type of imagery I've interacted with before, it knows some things about me, so it showed a preference that it thought I would like. So, it showed Autistic Adult as a white female, because I'm a white female. And then there were others that were hesitant to show imagery for the search because they felt it might be controversial. And so, what they recommended was what they considered an authority in space, like, go get imagery from over here. And that particular authority that they or who they thought, and I'm going to use air quotes, authority, was based on the medical model. So, one of the things I found, though, is that regardless of which programs you were looking at, they seem to have a very narrow view of what being the Autistic experience was, and I think that plays back into the stereotypes that people often have when they think of what it is to be Autistic.
Philip King-Lowe
And of course, it's the information that's been fed into it, most likely, because of when you do even searches for information about Autistic people, it will immediately give you all the medical data that it's gotten with, you know, and it's usually focused on children. It doesn’t really focus on adults, really. And like I say, it will give you all the, you know, this is the, you know, here's an example of Autism and how it gets worse, and all sorts of things that we really don't, don't want to promote as part of the Neurodiversity Paradigm. It tends to support the neurotypes that the Neurodiversity Paradigm does, doesn't really support. So, it is biased information, as I say, it's based on what's been put into it and what you know, the majority of the information that can be found on the internet. Would you agree with that?
Kathryn Parsons
Yeah, no, absolutely. I mean, even when you ask it to depict a workplace setting for somebody who's Autistic, typically, they will show it as an IT environment. Right. Because of that stereotype. Even though I know plenty of Autistics who are incredibly creative and so it's interesting also, when you start to dive in and that one layer underneath the stereotype, it continues to reinforce.
Philip King-Lowe
Right. Yeah, I have heard of one of the concerns regarding Autistics using AI. And some would say this is a concern. Some would just say that this is just something that many Autistics need, and so therefore, let's not be too concerned about it. But I'd like us to talk. There is some concern that Autistics who are finding it difficult to find their own social net workings, and they're finding it difficult to find friends and find supportive. Will create an imaginary friend on an AI program, one that will, you know, basically, answer it the way it wants. The individual wants it to answer. And they will create exclusive relationships with that imaginary friend, whomever that happens to be. Some of the concerns that have come out are that they only create a create relationships on AI, and therefore they don't get the benefit of actually, actual relationships with, say, other, Actually Autistic individuals. And therefore, it basically they further shut themselves in, if you will. I've heard that concern, and I'd like to know what your thoughts are on that.
Kathryn Parsons
Well, I mean, anybody that uses technology and finds it a safe space. I find that I'm more comfortable behind the screen than I am in person, because of my sensory processing challenges. So, I am geared to be wired behind the screen. And you know, it's nice to talk to a program that's going to tell you exactly what you want to hear, because these AI tools are set up to please you. Yeah, it's constantly refining based on feedback you're giving it and trying to make you happy. And that lack of friction is a bit of a problem, because I think for people to grow, they need to be challenged. So, I don't think that these programs will necessarily help you grow as a person. They're just going to be an echo chamber and potentially reflect back exactly what you're feeding into it. So, it almost becomes like a mirror. Exactly. You know, I would say that there's nothing wrong with using it as a way of exploring thoughts and feelings, because I know with my dysregulation, sometimes putting those ideas out there and trying to reframe them or figure out what just happened. It's helpful to have a wall to bounce, you know, your tennis ball off of. But in the same token, if I'm looking for new ideas, new thoughts, I don't necessarily want to AI for that, I want to go to somebody else who's an expert in that area and can give me some ideas. I think it just depends on how you use that tool.
Philip King-Lowe
Exactly, yeah, and yeah and, you know, we are sympathetic and we, you know, if AI can create for you a safe space. There's nothing wrong with that. I also would like to say that I think we all need at least some kind of community with other Autistic individuals, people that we can really give our thoughts to, who will give our give it back to us, and maybe give us some real-time suggestions. And also, you know, give us that feedback to maybe help us. And I know that, you know, given that all of us, Autistics are unique, you know, that's okay, but, and so sometimes it will be difficult to put that together. But I do think that it's worth it sometimes for Autistics to struggle with and figure out how to communicate certain things with each other, if they can communicate, and then, you know, find some way of investing in in those good relationships that we need. I think investing the majority of our time into something that is just going to, you know, not, or, I must say, keep us from community with others, other Autistics, especially, I think that can be problematic so I guess I would say, set your boundaries on that kind of thing. Set some boundaries that you can live with, maybe. But you know, we're not telling you not to. We are just maybe suggesting some boundaries for you to create for yourself. So just to be careful with that.
Kathryn Parsons
Yeah, And something to keep in mind too with these models is that they need constant new data. And it has been shown that if you feed AI back into AI, those data models start to collapse. Ah, yes. Just like they can also become more and more negative. Like, if you are in a negative mindset and you're talking to AI, it may just amplify that negative mindset, sort of like what happens with social media. When you click on outrage stories, your news feed starts to get inundated with outrage, because social media is designed to keep you on their platform, and they will continually feed you back what they think you're looking for.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, and on that subject of, um, social media, and I think AI is another spot, by the way, you will want to be very, very careful as to how much of your own personal information you feed into it, because once you feed information into it that doesn't belong there, like names, addresses, phone numbers and even email addresses, it becomes, what should we say? I want to say, basically, you're an open target for scams, and also, you know, being followed by things that also will not give you the best of information you can find. We've said on Today's Autistic Moment many times that you know that a lot of your social media platforms have been designed as such so that, rather than what we call it, data, information like we used to have back in the early days of the internet, that they would, you know, track your information. And all basically, platforms like Facebook and others are already have that built into it. So, what you feed into it is exactly what you're going to get from it. And sometimes, what you feed into it, you're going to get all of the scams and spams and other things from it. So, you want to be very careful as to how much of your personal information that you feed into it.
Kathryn Parsons
Well, then if you're working with any type of intellectual property, you need to make sure that if you are using an AI tool to use a paid version and check the privacy and make sure that you check off the boxes so that this, this is sandboxed for you only. It doesn't come part of the greater ecosystem. Yeah. Because you don't want your ideas being fed to other people.
Philip King-Lowe
Right.
Following the next commercial break, Kathryn will talk about how Autistics can engage AI programs to have more accurate information about Neurodiversity. We will also give some references for Autistics to learn how to use AI programs, including how data input can be helpful with communication support.
♫ Segment end music. ♫
Commercial Break II
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♫ Podcast Segment Beginning Music ♫
Segment 3
Philip King-Lowe
Well, now comes perhaps a more difficult question, how could we get our Autistic Intersectional Communities engaged in using AI? I think, you know, I like to stress that our Intersectional Communities include people of color, LGBTQIA+ we're also talking about many of us who are multiply Neurodivergent. Autistics and ADHD, dyslexic and all the and other you know, complex PTSD and that sort of thing. Let's, let's talk a little bit about that, because, once again, when it comes to many of our communities that are often unrepresented, AI can certainly be fed some of that too. Can we talk about that, please?
Kathryn Parsons
Yeah, no, absolutely. I think that it's important when you're using these tools and you ask it like that earlier example, where you say, I want to see pictures of Autistic Adults in the workplace, and they show you pictures, and you're like, wait a minute. No, I don't want this stereotype. And then you refine your prompts to say, I want to see a wider range of diversity. I want to see people of color. I want to see this. I want to see that. So, you start to challenge the tool to pull from more sources. And we were even talking about earlier before our podcast about how, depending on what you're asking and challenging the AI, it will then start to pull from more sources, and then you'll start to see a more balanced response that maybe goes away from that medical model, or maybe is more diverse or intersectional, because now you're challenging it to look in those places.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, so AI can be challenged?
Kathryn Parsons
Yes, absolutely. It will learn, remember, it evolves the way you say and you say, No, I need it to be more this, or I need more diversity, or I need more intersectionality, like call it out and force it to look at its other sources to see if it can find that data, and if not, then what you can do is you can upload things into AI and say, look at this example. Look at this example. You can actually train these models. I mean, back in this was early when I was trying to teach Google Lens, Google's image software, how to understand brands. I would feed data into it. So, you can do the same thing with AI. You can train it there's actually where you can look at content, and you can create what's called Search Actions and Schema. It's a form of code that you can embed into the page, and you can tell it the query, you can tell it the expected action, and you can start to link journeys like content journeys and different things to try to help teach the AI, this is where you should be looking. So, part of my thing is trying to create these new signals when I'm interacting with these tools.
Philip King-Lowe
Yes, and I mean, you may challenge it or feed into it some, some actual story, actual examples of things that have occurred to you. And you know it might start to take those stories and might actually start to evolve its information, to become more let's say sympathetic, but more understanding of the of the issues we deal with. So, in your in your opinion, it doesn't really matter what program you're really using. It's just, like I said, a matter of what you're putting into it. I have found a difference with information that can be found about Autistics on Chat GPT versus Perplexity. I have found great, great differences there, for example, I once put in, you know, you know, the differences between people with ASD versus Autistic Adults and the Neurodiversity Paradigm, and it gave me quite the list of both in a really nice outline. Okay. But sometimes you have to be that specific about what it is you're seeking.
Kathryn Parsons
Well, remember when you're doing your prompt engineering and you're asking for certain output. There's that base layer that you have to push past to get to the more interesting data sources sometimes give you the easy answer, or at least the more what it considers common knowledge.
Philip King-Lowe
What are some other ways that we can help these communities become engaged in in AI, both what comes into it, what comes from it and how it can affect us. Is there any other thoughts you have about that?
Kathryn Parsons
Well, I would say that the best way to teach AI is to engage with it, you know, to use it. And to correct it and teach it and think of it as a tapestry. Your one thread may not be the thing that changes, but over time, if the community as a whole is engaging in it, it will start to learn other experiences, yeah, so that it might start to better understand things.
Philip King-Lowe
Okay, yeah. Well, here's one of those things that I observed last February when I put out some conversations on LinkedIn about Autistics and AI. I had a mixture of responses, some who are Autistics, who say, I will not touch AI. I'm not going near there. And we had others who said, Yeah, you got to use this, because it really helps, and that sort of thing. I mean, we have some Autistics who are absolutely scared to death. I won't, I won't go there. I will not do it. And we have others that, well, they're, they're all for it. So again, it shows the diversity within the Autistics community. But maybe for those who are afraid to use it, what are some things we can say to them? We've already been saying a lot of what people can put into it for those who do but for those who are just no way not going to do it, are there some things that we can say to either ease their concerns or affirm their concerns, which I really want to go try that.
Kathryn Parsons
So, we are in a technological revolution where, you know, these companies out there are trying to automate everything, and so they're more and more oftentimes leveraging AI in order to try to make what they think things are easier. And you know, as we start to see this adoption of AI, you know, there's a lot of fears on certain jobs being phased out. So, if you're unwilling to adopt technology, sometimes it can impact your ability to get a job in the future, but at the same time, um, I'm the type of person where I would rather be in the weeds helping shape, uh, the technology, rather than reject the technology. Now, if you reject the technology, and you work in a field that isn't being impacted by it, which I'll be honest, off the top of my head, very far and few between, because most jobs today that are in corporate America are being impacted in AI. It's not just an IT thing anymore. You know, you see it in marketing and advertising. You see it in HR, you see it in finance. You see it even; you know now investment companies are looking to use AI in order to make decisions. So, I mean, it's touching all these different areas. So, unless you're in an area that isn't impacted, I think, unfortunately, it's kind of a I hate to use the word necessary evil, you know, but that's how some people might see it, you know, I don't mind, AI. I mean, because I'm in the field of natural language processing. So, I study language models, I study language patterns. And so, for me, this is an evolution, and it's exciting, and seeing how you can program it, and also, how do you protect, how you keep compliance, is really important.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, do you find AI is becoming helpful at all with things like using Easy Read or Plain Language texts, because we know that some Autistics, they need that easy-to-understand language to find it helpful at all with that? Or are you not aware of that?
Kathryn Parsons
So, I find that with AI, I have an easier time taking my direct language and having it convert to the other side of the fence than vice versa. You know, because I think these AI tools still really don't understand us. So, using it as a translation tool to say I needed to take this set of language and put it in a way that makes it more readable for me. I feel like that translation piece just isn't there yet. But when I put in my language and I say, I need to make this more conversational, so translate it for my friends on the other side of the fence. Um, it does a really fantastic job, at least that's the feedback I'm getting from the people on the other side of the fence who's getting my email. They're like, Oh, yeah, this is much, much easier to read, Kathryn. And I'm like, Oh, I'm glad. I'm glad you appreciate it.
Philip King-Lowe
Now that we've explored this topic and we've talked about how we can get our Autistics intersectional communities engaged, how can we empower them? About, about AI and again, we've talked already about, you know, using it safely, using it with some good discretion. But, you know, I mean, I anticipate there, there are people who want to be empowered to use it, but maybe they are just not sure, or maybe they've been using it, and maybe they just need to be empowered to use it in a different way. What are your thoughts on that Kathryn?
Kathryn Parsons
Yeah, well, I would recommend taking an AI course, like get AI training, like Google has an Essentials, and maybe we can add a link to this in the with the podcast that talks about like it can teach you how you can use it to boost your productivity or use it in like different practical ways in your life. And this AI Essentials course is kind of nice to take and just sort of learn with it. A lot of people today are now starting to pump out basic AI courses. So, there's a lot of different people to explore. I was that's just one example.
Philip King-Lowe
I have opened up the link that you sent me. The link for this https://grow.google will be in the hyperlink will both be in the transcript, and of course, it will be included in the Adult Autism Resources Links page for you to find so you can use it.
Kathryn Parsons
Well, and it, just to be clear, it is $49 from what I'm seeing here. So, it's not free, but it's not very expensive. But there are, there are also some really good, like newsletters out there, one of my favorite ones, let me see if I can pull it up. That's really good. The Rundown AI, I'm going to forward this, and maybe you can put the subscribe link also on the list. But what it does, which is really nice, is it gives me a sort of what's happening this week in AI. You know, so that you can go ahead and play with it and see all these new things come out. And it'll give you tools to play with suggestions. It will also tell you who's buying who you know, so you can pay attention to some of the investments that are happening. Yeah, but this is one of my favorite like, just general what's going on this week in AI newsletters that I keep track of.
After this final commercial break Kathryn will talk about how pattern recognition can help us with language processing followed by Today’s Autistic Community Bulletin Board.
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Commercial Break III
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Future Shows
♫ Background Music as I announce the shows coming up ♫
On October 20th, Dr. Ludmila Praslova will be my guest for Autistics Thriving at Work. We will focus on navigating the workplace and finding ways to work with your strengths, including job-crafting, preventing burnout, and navigating disclosure. This episode celebrates October as Disability Employment Month and features Ludmila Praslova, author of The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work.
On November 3rd Shalese the Travel Goddess will be my guest for the episode Autistics Traveling. As we approach the holiday season, many families will be traveling. Traveling brings many challenges for Autistics because of sensory needs, crowds at airports, bus and train stations, going through security check points, safe foods and of course major routine changes. Shalese, the pioneer of the Autism Travel Movement, will talk about how Autistics can navigate traveling.
Thank you for listening to Today’s Autistic Moment
♫ Podcast Segment Beginning Music ♫
Segment 4
Philip King-Lowe
Well, Kathryn, I think you've given us a great conversation about AI um, and we kind of want to mention that, yes, this program is for many of us, it's still new. Other people have a good handle on it. But, you know, it's always a good idea to hear from other Autistics that are using it. You know, I think my last question to you, Kathryn, is, we've heard a lot about Autistics who are actually behind the scenes in AI, who are actually helping to create the programs. You know, there's been some talk about that with some of my guests. I mean, lots of the things that you can find with AI have probably been produced by some technologically minded Autistics. You have any thoughts about that?
Kathryn Parsons
Yeah, no, I think there are a lot of people that are getting involved, I mean, because if you think about the high propensity of where, I mean, we do very well with pattern recognition. You know, so AI is a really good field for us, because we, especially since we are setting up these structured learning exercises and we're looking to see what's working and what's not working, that auditing function that we excel at, we do very well. It's one of the reasons why some like, I got into natural language processing back in the day, because I wanted to understand intent, you know, I growing up, people just didn't make sense to me. You know, I even read the dictionary because I'm like, I'm getting so rockier, you know, maybe I'm just using the wrong definition. And I got into language and how, what words, what things mean based on words and proximity of other words, just naturally trying to navigate this world. And then as natural language processing evolved into large language models, which are basically what's driving generative AI. You know, this naturally drove me in that direction. Yeah. The whole reason why I got into this field is because I am Autistic, and I know why. Why do these words mean these things when they're next to each other?
Philip King-Lowe
Well, Kathryn, thank you so much for being on Today's Autistics Moment with me today. This is really a great informative show, and I think it's important that a lot of us understand, like I said, the goods and the bads about Artificial Intelligence, and I feel like you've given us that good look at it. So, thank you so much for being here today. And you know, one thing I would ask you to do is just maybe leave some information, if you don't mind, about how someone who wants information from you, how can they contact you?
Kathryn Parsons
So, the best way to get hold of me is LinkedIn. I am not a social animal. In fact, the only active social channel I have is social media. So, I'm gonna provide the link so that you can add it related to this episode. Absolutely. And really, that's the best way to get a hold of me. And I'm pretty open to connecting with people. I'm very big on my tribe, as I think of all Autistics as being part of my tribe. So, when you reach out to me, I'm usually more open. I'm also an active member. If you are a I'm part of a think tank called Chief. Yeah. So, if you are a member of chief, you can oftentimes run into me at the Chief Clubhouse, and I do a lot of panel speaking at conferences, digital marketing conferences, so if you see me there, you can always approach me. Yeah, I mean, those would be the best ways to track me down. And I also write poetry, and it's part of a collective group of Neurodivergents who are basically sort of contributing and giving different perspectives. And I think it's a really great project to sort of show our more creative side. So, here's an example of a poem that I wrote. I've written, actually, two pieces for them. The first one was Monkeys Three, which is about my experience growing up with those unreasonable social expectations. And then the second one, because back to school was happening. I wrote a poem related to school time cacophony. How much I hated school because of just all the noises, and which would just set off my auditory processing. So, this is Neurodivergents, sort of talking about their lived experiences and being creative. It's a really great blog, and they're looking for more writers, by the way. So, if you're part of the community and you're interested in contributing to Amplify to Thrive, it'd be really great to get involved with this project.
Philip King-Lowe
All right, Kathryn, once again. Thank you so much for being here today and providing all this important information. Just to reiterate, yes, the links for Kathryn and some of the many of the things she's involved with. Please feel free to look for it. Like I said in the hyperlinks on the transcripts and also on the Adult Autism Resources Links page located at todaysautisticmoment.com. Thank you so much Kathryn, we look forward to seeing you again.
Kathryn Parsons
Thank you.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Today’s Autistic Community Bulletin Board
All of these events and many others with their links can be found at todaysautisticmoment.com/bulletinboard.
The AuSM Coffee Club is a space where Autistic and Neurodivergent Adults can connect with each other, foster friendships, and build community while enjoying a favorite beverage or snack. While it is free to participate in AuSM’s Coffee Club, we ask that participants purchase something from our venue. AuSM Coffee Club meetings begin at 5pm to 7pm on Tuesdays, October 8th, November 12th, and December 3rd at Dogwood Coffee, located at 2700 University Ave, W. St. Paul, Minnesota, Zip Code is 55114.
Understanding Autism virtual classes are offered by The Autism Society of Minnesota. These classes are perfect for Autistic individuals, caregivers, those who want to understand the basics of Autism and support Autistic people. Classes will be on November 11th at 10am. December 9th at 6pm. Classes are free of charge, but you must register to attend.
Are you a professional who works with Autistic people? Such as a therapist, psychologist, occupational therapist, psychiatrist, social worker, case manager, or health care provider? Join the AuSM Professional Networking Group to work with The Autism Society of Minnesota’s Counseling and Consultation team that offers a resource to help you network with other professionals. Group sessions are held monthly. See AuSM’s Event Calendar for more information.
There will be a virtual AuSM workshop on October 9th beginning at 9am to 12pm entitled Working While Autistic. Daren Howard and Scott Schneider will be the presenters for this workshop that will explain that professional success is possible for Autistic Adults and those who support them. You will gain an understanding of key employment issues affecting the Autism Community and practical strategies for getting and keeping meaningful employment opportunities. The workshop will explore topics like career advancement, job searches, resume building, interviewing, job performance, disclosure, and accommodations from a Neurodivergent perspective. Go to the AuSM website to register.
Register today to attend the 2024 Autistic Community Summit on November 9th beginning at 10am to 4:30pm at Woodlake Lutheran Church located at 2120 W. 76th Street, Richfield, Minnesota, zip code 55423. This year’s Autistic Community Summit keynote presentation speaker will be one of Today’s Autistic Moment’s guests, AJ Locashio. There will be in-person and hybrid breakout sessions like Ask a Neurodivergent Therapist, Autistic in the 20th Century, a Panel of 50+ Aged Adults, and a PowerPoint Party in the Hangout Room.
Go to ausm.org to get more information about these and other Social and Recreational Programs, educational events, counseling services and support groups at The Autism Society of Minnesota.
MNeurodivergent is a social club rooted in a vision of bringing Neurodivergent Minnesotans together to build meaningful connections. Its core principle is to foster an environment where all are treated with dignity and respect regardless of ability or preferences. Go to the bulletin board at todaysautisticmoment.com and click on the Meet Up link to become a member and attend their events.
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Thank you for listening to Today’s Autistic Moment: A Podcast for Autistic Adults by An Autistic Adult.
May you have an Autistically Amazing day.
♫ ♫ Closing Background Music with credits ♫
All of the guests meet with me on Zoom to record the interviews. The interview transcripts are provided by Otter. The podcast is prepared and edited on WavePad Masters Edition by NCH Software. The podcast is published by Spotify for Podcasters. The Music that you hear is licensed to Today’s Autistic Moment by premiumbeat.com.