EPISODE 14
Autism and the Complexities of Intersectionality with guest Morènike Giwa-Onaiwu, Ph.D
Autism and the Complexities of Intersectionality with guest Morènike Giwa-Onaiwu, Ph.D
Play the Episode…
…and Continue the Discussion
Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.
1) Intersectionality shines a light on the complexity of human beings due to their genetic endowment and their personal experiences. With this lens, how does it change the way you attempt to understand how intersectionality impacts the lives of autistic children and adults?
2) Morènike shared some personal experiences with educational and healthcare systems as an autistic woman and mother of color. What was most striking to you about her experiences? Have you experienced similar challenges, or know other autistic individuals, or parents with similar experiences?
3) In your opinion, how can we respect and celebrate the unique differences that we observe in autistic children and adults who may also have differences in race, gender identity and ethnicity, while preventing misunderstandings and discrimination that intersectionality may bring? Are you aware of any specific programs or innovative approaches that address these challenges?
Featuring
MORÉNIKE GIWA ONAIWU, Ph.D
Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, PhD(c), MA (she/they) is a global advocate, educator, and autistic person of color in a 2E neurodiverse, multicultural, serodifferent family. A prolific writer, consultant, and social scientist/activist whose work focuses on meaningful community involvement, human rights, intersectional justice, and inclusion, Morénike is a Humanities Scholar at Rice University’s Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality and a member of several executive boards. Morénike has been an invited speaker at the United Nations, the White House, and numerous peer-reviewed international conferences in addition to contributing author/editor of several publications, abstracts, and books focusing on community engagement, intersectionality, disability, advocacy, and inclusion.
“Having two children on the spectrum helped me to discover who I truly am. It has been both illuminating and freeing.
I am a HUGE fan of Steven Universe, Dragon Ball Z & Dragon Ball Super, Battlestar Galactica, the Expanse books, and the Obernewtyn Chronicles. I love cringe-worthy movies and 90’s/2000’s music.”
Meet Levi
When Levi was 2, he was given a book about the oceans with one page on the deep sea. From there he has grown into an expert in all the unusual creatures who inhabit the deep oceans and an advocate for them. Here is Levi in a custom female angler fish costume made by his grandmother. What a wonderful Enthusiasm!
Show Notes
In this episode, we will explore the multi-dimensional nature of the autistic experience in individuals who also may have identity differences related to race, gender identity and ethnicity. Our guest, Morenikè Giwa-Onaiwu shares her expertise and knowledge as an educator, prolific author, and tireless advocate, as well as her personal experiences as an African American mother of autistic children. We are also joined by Kristen and Levi for this week’s Enthusiasm of the Week.
For more of Morénike’s work:
Website: MGO@MorenikeGO.com
Twitter: @MorenikeGO
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Mor%C3%A9nikeGiwaOnaiwu or https://www.youtube.com/c/MorénikeGiwaOnaiwu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mor%C3%A9nikegiwaonaiwu/
Morénike’s latest book “Sincerely, Your Autistic Child: What People on the Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew About Growing Up, Acceptance, and Identity (available for pre-order everywhere books are sold)
Free Palgrave Macmillan open source book, Autistic Community and the Neurodiversity Movement: Stories from the Frontline—about key topics within the autism rights and neurodiversity movement.
A great list of books for all ages about autism & neurodiversity from Not An Autism Mom’s Ausome Book Club list.
Charitable projects to support.
Information on autism and race, including the All the Weight of Our Dreams edited collection and a grassroots microgrant program for autistic POC in need.